Bridport triumph in first home final
Rubicon Turner, Di and Dion Turner and Annie Gillespie with Ash, Tori, Taj, Julie and Jason Gillespie, Jackie Williams, Juanita and Sean Coates and Brett Williams.
August 21, 2024
By Steve McKillop
Bridport hosted its first ever NTFA final on Sunday in front of the biggest crowd ever seen at the seaside oval against Old Launcestonians.
The Seagulls didn’t disappoint, storming home from 21 points behind at three quarter time to kick eight goals in the last term to triumph by 21 points and move into the semi-final against Perth.
The Seagulls started the first term in style, hitting the scoreboard early with three unanswered goals to set up an early lead and looked the better team with most of the play.
OLs’ defence was working overtime but Michael Murfett was playing a tight game on Taylor who didn’t have much room to move for most of the term.
Bridport had seven scoring shots and should have been further in front.
Not to be denied, OLs kicked two late goals to cut back the margin to eight points with Cheesman kicking one of these and his signal to the crowd for silence bought a hostile reply from the Bridport supporters.
Joey Robinson was in everthing early with Cal Mulder continuing his good form.
Ols scored first through Archer to score four unanswered goals and if it wasn’t for Jack Lanham’s brilliance taking several intercept marks to stop the flow it could have been worse.
The rest of this term belonged to OLs with the Seagulls only managing one major.
Liam Arnold was trying his heart out against bigger opposition in the ruck contests and Bridport went into the long break three points behind.
Christian Barnes and Busta Whelan were getting their hands on the ball but Bridport’s forwards McBride and Taylor were dealing with poor disposal from further afield.
The game was in the balance and it was Old Launcestonians who took control early in the third .
Bridport were playing only one side of the ground and were playing safe football not attacking. OLs dominated the term with four goals to extend the lead to twenty one points and Bridport’s season was on the line.
Captain Nat Barnett was trying to rally his troops but OLs were looking too classy.
Lanham continued on with several telling marks but his teamates needed to lift or it was mothballs.
At the last change coach Philpott and his assistant Juan Salter made some telling moves. Lanham to the forward line with Blackwell sent down back, Cal Mulder and Tyson Digney were both also sent to the forward line.
Bridport banged on three early ones but OLs hit back with a reply. Taylor was instrumental early and when he tapped one to Lanham and got it back he booted it from the 50m mark and Bridport were back in the game and the large crowd began to get involved.
The Seagulls were all over OLs with some hard tackling and young Liam Mckean was instrumental in this happenning.
Jake Blackwell was starting to take some strong marks and the Seagulls had a sniff of victory. Eight goals for the term with Taylor and McBride kicking match winning goals and Bridport had won an historic NTFA final by 21 points.
Fans will remember it for a long time. The community had gathered in large numbers to support the home side and the ground was packed to the limit.
Bridport now move on to the 1st Semi Final on Sunday, August 25, at Invermay Park at 1.30pm against Perth.
RESULTS
Bridport 12.17.89 d OLs 10.8.68
Goals - Matt Taylor 5, Joey Robinson 3, William McBride 2, Cal Mulder, Joshua Whelan.
Best - Jack Lanham, Joey Robinson, Cal Mulder, Nat Barnett, Liam Arnold, Matt Taylor, Liam Mckean, Christian Barnes.
