NTFA Premier Division: South Launceston, Bracknell the key winners in round one

The Bulldogs enjoyed the familiar comforts of home as they started spritely against an under-manned Deloraine to take a three-goal lead at the opening break.

Last season's grand finalists adjusted better to the blustery conditions which confronted the two sides across the day. It made the scoreboard end effectively the key scoring end.

The Bulldogs were frantic in the contest as their players harried and harassed the Kangaroos with a notably higher intensity around the ball and with their tackling pressure.

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Given the conditions, the Bulldogs' tendency to push through the corridor with slick balls skills by hand and foot told the story of the first half as they cultivated opportunities for the likes of Cody Lowe and Harry Summers.

"Cody is one of our fittest guys, he works really hard, he's super fit. He not only rucked today but he played forward and he's got some just rewards for his hard work over the pre-season .... it was great to see him rewarded with a couple of goals and some touched," South Launceston coach Anthony Taylor said.

"Harry's just a quality young under-16s kid that's come up to senior footy and we know he's capable of hitting the scoreboard and today was the day."

As much as the Bulldogs made the visitors pay on the scoreboard, it was heightened by Deloraine missing some taller targets up-field which ensured South Launceston's defenders could rebound easily.

In the second half, Deloraine showed an improved effort as they looked to replicate the Bulldogs' recipe of chipping the ball through the centre. Lachlan Dornauf and Tyler Kelly working tirelessly to get the ball going their way.

"Damon Howe did really well, it's not his normal position, he's probably the shortest ruckman in the competition but he tried all day, they [Howe, Kelly, Dornauf] were probably our best," Deloraine coach Nathan Lowe said.

"Everybody else was nowhere near the potential we know they can play at but we're going to try and work that out of them in our two weeks off.

"In the last quarter, I thought we had more of the ball than they did we just couldn't score so there are the positives [to build on]."

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The Bulldogs continued to finish off their ball movement with a four-goal to none in the third term with a spread of six goal-kickers including Jordan Tepper, Matthew Lee, Grant Holt, Leigh Harding, Kurt Hibbs and Lachie Cocker.

The Bulldogs added a late goal to stretch the margin back to past 100 points in the final term.

"We're a different look club with a lot of youth and a big turn-over of players but at the end of the day to come out and get a good win in round one that's all you ask for but we're under no illusions as to the job we've got ahead of us," Taylor said.

In the evening fixtures, Bracknell started their title defence with a win after edging George Town in a tight tussle 14.10 (94) to 8.5 (53).

The Redlegs were pushed throughout the first-half by George Town but their strong third term got it back for Bracknell.

The reigning premiers scored 34 points to seven in the third term before running out as 41-point victors with Matthew Dennis kicking three goals.

Scottsdale survived a last quarter fightback from Rocherlea as the Magpies won 13.4 (82) to 11.9 (75) to open their account.

The Tigers' final term of four goals to two sent shivers down the Magpies' faithful before the siren sounded.

Bridgenorth accounted for Longford as the Parrots soared to victory 12.4 (76) to 10.9 (69) at Parrot Park.

Recruit Billy Jack was one of Bridgenorth's best while Jacob Bonney kicked three goals as the Parrots overcame a scoreless opening term to be victorious.

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