Ulverstone's dominance of the NTFL continued yesterday with a 88-point win over Smithton in the grand final...

Final Score - Ulverstone 22.14 (146) d Smithton 8.10 (58)

 

It was the Robins' ninth flag win in 23 years, and their easiest, leaving behind a shell-shocked Smithton.

Ulverstone, challenging for a place in the State League, may have done its claims no harm with the 22.14 (146) to 8.10 (58) victory played before a crowd of 4200 at Latrobe.

The win was a triumph for 37-year-old coach Troy Davies who claimed it was the highlight of his long career. "To get the opportunity to nurture young players and get the best out of them means a lot," he said.

Smithton coach Stephen Coombe was left to wonder what had happened to his team during the last month after finishing the roster season four games ahead of the opposition.

The Saints had gone into yesterday, reprsented in all three grades but after winning the under-19s, drew a blank for the rest of the day.

"It is tough to take it all on board, all we can do is bounce back," coach Stephen Coombe said, "During the finals we plateaued and Ulverstone's skill level went up."

.Smithton is yet to reappoint Coombe as coach but it is almost certain he will want to go on again and make amends for this year.

Davies has been appointed for a second year and said the club was already moving forward by advertising for an assistant playing coach.

"Whether I play again or hang up the boots hasn't been decided but one thing the club needs to do is keep moving ahead," he said.

And as for the State League aspirations, he is keeping his legth. "My focus was on coaching the team and I've let the club do what it has to do. I'm prepared to divorce myself from any discussions that have been taking place," he said.

Davies said he was confident 10 minutes into the third quarter that the Robins had the grand final in their keeping.

"We had such a dominant second quarter and were then able to keep it going for the first part of the third term," he said.

Davies praised the efforts of Gale at centre-half-forward and the stopping roles of Jayden Marshall on Jarrod Watling and Shaun Knott on Scott Blizzard.

"I'm so proud of all the players and the sacrifices they've made, there are no big heads in the club at all."

Davies invited three-time Launceston coach Adam Sanders to address the players on Thursday night and then club legend Nathan Howard yesterday morning.

After the game Davies made a special presentation to Chris Haynes who was the unlucky player to miss out on selection.

After an even first quarter with Smithton kicking with the wind and holding a one-goal lead, Ulverstone then unleashed a 10-goal second term which blew the game apart. The dominance of Howard, Jeremy Soden, Justin Hayes and Jarryd Chatwin across the midfield opened up opportunities on the forward line for Gale and Davies.

The Saints were never able to exert any influence on the game despite the efforts of Tyrone Morrison, captain Josh Smith, Blizzard and forward Vince Elliott.

 

RESERVES: "Wynyard's first flag since 1987"

The Wynyard reserves won their first flag since the opening year of the NTFL competition in 1987 when they proved too good for Smithton yesterday.

Wynyard had proved the fairytale result of the reserves, coming from fourth place on the ladder to grab the ultimate prize.

The Cats, led by burly forward Jye Gardam, dominated the game against Smithton, winning by 70 points.

Gardam kicked seven goals in a performance that won him the Royce Viney Medal for best afield.

In the past three weeks, the Cats have overcome Latrobe in the first semi-final by 11 points, and then East Devonport by 40 points in the preliminary final, before dominating yesterday's grand final.

Premierships have been bare for the Cats, with club having now won two reserves titles and an under-19 flag in 2006.

 

UNDER 19: "Smithton wins in a thriller over Ulverstone"

Smithton survived a late challenge to win the under-19 premiership from Ulverstone by just a single point.

The Saints had set up a big lead at half-time and then Ulverstone challenged hard after the break.

Robins centreman Will Lutwyche had a chance to win the game when he had a shot from goal from 30 metres out late in the final quarter only to see his shot go out of bounds on the full.

Smithton defender Regan Townsend won the Neil Rawson Medal for best afield and had good support from captain Tyson Armstrong and Alex Hursey.

It was Smithton's first under-19 flag since 2001 and remarkably both teams were coached by Peter Korpershoek.

Korpershoek announced after the game that he was intending to have a break as coach.