Legs fail Northerners at the last...
The NTFL had the lion's share of the play in the first term but did not do enough with it to prevent the SFL from eventually claiming bragging rights in their representative clash yesterday.
Neither side settled well in the North vs South game at North Hobart Oval, although Josh Smith and Rodney King were hard at the ball early and collected a number of possessions for the Coasters.
The SFL started the second term on fire with two very quick goals to Nathan Ross and Jack Siggins, but the NTFL could not get into the game at all and barely managed any inside 50s, let alone a score, as the team struggled to make it through the South's effective centre wall.
The Northerners had no answer for speedy small men Ross and Jason Britten, but Tim Bracken's height up forward was also a thorn in the NTFL's side.
The back six, including Scott Blizzard, Scott Matheson and Smith performed strongly, but were overwhelmed.
Each time they pushed the ball forward, the centre and half forward line broke down and gave the SFL far too many easy turnovers.
The NTFL started the second half strongly and scored a couple of early goals through Rohan Baldock and Smith, who started the third term blindingly.
