'Gets better with age': NTFA champion delivers stellar game in crucial win (2025)

Heading into a blockbuster NTFA division one contest, Lilydale were missing half a dozen senior players, including some of their guns, only for an ageing star to remind everyone of his brilliance.

Playing at the picturesque fortress that is Bracknell, both sides missed chances, but the Demons won the moments as they claimed a 10.14 (74) to 7.15 (57) victory.

Missing fellow midfielders Jay Lockhart and Daniel Viney, the Demons' makeshift on-ball group was led by Thane Bardenhagen, as he booted three goals en route to a match-winning performance.

"He put the boys on his back in the midfield, as well as pushing forward to kick crucial goals, and he was the one who took the big moments, whether that was a big mark or a big possession of play," coach Corey Lockett said.

"He settles the nerves for everyone, he just gets better with age, every year we think it's going to be the year he drops off and we play him more forward, but he's been our best player in the first three weeks by far."

A contested start to the game limited scoring opportunities early, but Lilydale looked dangerous when they were able to get their intercept game going off half-back.

Soon, that turned into the visitors' first goal as some slick ball movement resulted in Jak Hadley's beautiful hit-up kick to Trent Griggs who marked and goaled from 20 metres out, straight in front.

Their second major was structured similarly, with a turnover at half-back coming just two disposals before Griggs nailed one 30m from goal.

In truth, Lilydale could have kicked four or five majors in near groundhog day fashion, as they repeatedly found direct routes to their forwards - only for them to fluff their lines, leaving the quarter-time scores at 2.5 (17) to 0.0 (0).

Now enjoying the small breeze headed toward the mountains, Bracknell were challenged by coach Josh Adams to lift their effort, calling the first quarter "embarrassing".

Adams said Lilydale had "made us look stupid" and asked them to return to their game plan.

He received an immediate response.

Gun recruit Jack Donnellan grabbed a strong contested mark and slotted home the Redlegs' first goal of the day.

The visitors then found a response, and it was Bardenhagen who read a tumbling forward-50m entry best, before the decorated midfielder kicked truly between the big sticks.

The see-sawing quarter continued to be just that as Nick Jones hit the scoreboard, and soon he was doing it again after Bracknell received a free-kick due to umpire dissent from a Lilydale player.

Just as the Redlegs had closed to a two-point deficit, a moment of inspiration from Reuben Rothwell once again gave breathing room for the Demons as he bombed one from 50m into the wind with less than a minute remaining.

After half-time it was again Donnellan who gave Bracknell a dream start, as he profited from a reckless free-kick given away by former Redleg Beau Malkin.

The hosts dominated the first 10 minutes and even took the lead, but they were wasteful with their chances.

And they were made to pay as Griggs kicked his third, before some Bardenhagen brilliance - he picked up the loose ball, turned on a dime and then nailed one from 40m - returned the Demons to a double-digit lead.

Khai Lunson became the latest Redleg to miss a set shot with his effort hitting the post - Bracknell ended up kicking nine consecutive behinds in the quarter.

Despite the Demons being three goals to the good heading into the last change, Lockett stressed to his side that they could not afford to give so many chances away in the last stanza.

His masterclass in full effect, Bardenhagen kicked his third, though his goal was later cancelled out as Bracknell kicked their first major since the opening minute of the second half.

Soon the majors were flowing as Lunson left behind his goal-kicking woes with a beautiful effort from about 50m, before Cooper Warren threatened to create a nail-biter when he brought Bracknell back to a two-goal margin.

But again the visitors had a response as Saunders sealed the deal, while Griggs hobbled off late in the day with an apparent hamstring injury.

Elsewhere, it was an absolute thriller at Invermay Park as George Town overcame a 20-point fourth-quarter deficit to beat Old Launcestonians 11.7 (73) to 10.12 (72).

Rocherlea proved too strong for Hillwood in their 13.9 (87) to 5.9 (39) win, while Bridgenorth won their first game of the season in emphatic fashion, defeating Old Scotch 11.9 (75) to 4.4 (28).

St Pats had the bye.