THE Eagles’ senior side suffered its first loss for season 2020 at the hands of an improving Cygnet on Saturday. The visitors were led by key forward Josh Fox who bagged five goals and had a
clear advantage in the big-man stakes.
With Cygnet’s taller brigade of players on the big Boyer Oval it was always going to be a tough day at the office for the Eagles but they managed to hold on to a slender four point lead at three-quarter-time. With the taller players getting on top, Cygnet piled on seven goals to one in the final term to run out comfortable 32-point victors.
Both sides were in front by small margins on the scoreboard numerous times throughout the afternoon. Neither side could get a break right up until three-quarter time but it was the boys from Cygnet who had more run in their legs and controlled the aerial duals in the last term.
The big key match-up for the afternoon was in-form Eagles back man Josh Farrow taking on Port’s goal-kicking ace Josh Fox. It was great to see the former football legend and father of young Josh, Wayne Fox, at one of his old stomping grounds as he was welcomed by some old Eagle supporters. Fox senior was part of the Eagles’ premiership side in 1982 and was the league’s leading goalkicker for many seasons and a true legend of Tasmanian football.
The first quarter was an even affair with only one point the difference at quarter time. New Norfolk 1.4 (10) to Cygnet 1.3 (9). Eagle ruck man Ben Lovell, who has had a great season, had his hands full with the Port’s
ruck duo of Jordan Lane and Joe Direen who had a clear height advantage which gave Port’’s onballers first use of the footy on many occasions. To the Eagles credit they still found a way to shark the ball at centre bounces and around the ground stoppages on many occasions through some great work from Josh Hills, Jake and Jye Bearman, Tyson and Nathan Eiszele and captain Jacob Wigg.
Port was well served by Captain Adam Duggan, Jayden Appleby, Brayden Livingston and Luke Paton. Port’s big men were dropping back to assist their backline which made it difficult for the Eagles to find key forward Marcus Parker who was held goalless for the day. Jordan Banks-Smith was doing some great work across half-back and young Brayden Chaplin was also busy for the home side.
Goals to Tyron Rainbird and Bryan Chaplin gave the Eagles a 13-point lead but Port answered quickly through Fox and Jack Tammens. Jye Bearman showed some great evasive skills to find his way out of heavy traffic with a great pass to Ben “Shovel” Lovell who kicked the Eagles fourth major from 35-metres out but Port’s Tammens kicked his second for the quarter just minutes later to put Port in front by one point at the main break: 4.6 (30) to 4.5 (29).
New Norfolk started the third term in fine style with Lovell taking the ball from the ruck and passing to Bryan Chaplin who used his big frame to take a great mark and boot his second. This was quickly followed by another from the hard-running Jye Bearman who sharked off the pack and kicked a great goal. Port followed up with two quick goals through Murray Bastick and the busy Jayden Appleby, but Eagles veteran Rohan Heron answered from 45m out as the footy rolled through the big sticks.
The Port were attacking on the grandstand side of the ground and found Fox a number of times on the boundary but he missed a couple of opportunities due to a breeze blowing across the Boyer Oval which made shooting for goal difficult at stages of the game. Port continued to drive the ball forward with Fox marking and starting to get on top of Farrow as he booted two more goals.
Farrow’s task was made harder by the lack of defensive pressure up the ground which allowed Cygnet to deliver the ball more efficiently to Fox. Chaplin continued his great form with an answering goal at the 28-minute mark for his third goal as the Eagles took a slender four point lead at three quarter time: 8.7 (55) to Port’s 7.9 (51).
It was all Port in the last quarter as they slammed on seven goals to the home side’s one, with Fox kicking three to take his total to five for the game. The Eagles were outnumbered at the contested ball as Port ran the game out with Duggan, Thor Boscott and Braden Livingston powering their way onto the final siren to run out comfortable 32 point winners in front of a good crowd in warm windy conditions.
Best players for the Eagles were Ben Lovell, Jordan Banks-Smith, Tyron Rainbird, Jye Bearman, Bryan Chaplin and Brayden Chaplin. Goals: Bryan Chaplin 3, Jye Bearman 2, Josh Clifford, Tyron Rainbird, Rohan Heron,
Ben Lovell.
The Eagles have slipped to third on the SFL ladder and now face off against reigning premier Lindisfarne at Anzac Park this Saturday in what should be a great contest. The competition is wide open with the Eagles, the Huonville Lions, Cygnet, Hobart, and the emerging Lindisfarne all capable of playing deep into the finals in what looks to be an interesting final chapter to the season. Get along and see some great SFL footy… go Eagles!
WAYNE WALKER
RESERVES: There were perfect conditions at Boyer Oval on Saturday for the clash with Cygnet. The Eagles put up a great team effort and were far too strong for the Cygnet boys, running out winners by 94 points: 19.11 (125) to 5.1 (31). For the first time this season, the boys played four quarters of consistent football. Forwards Corey Ransley and Clinton Curtain contributed six goals each in a great performance. Other goal-scorers were R. Graham 2, J. Campbell, J. Daley, J. Hills, J. Tauariki-Papera and K. Walker. Best players: H. Bielleman, R. Thomason, J. Palmer, C. Curtain, A. Minchin, J. Campbell.
COLTS: New Norfolk was at home to top-of-the-ladder Southern Storm. After an even first term, the visitors proved too strong and went on to win convincingly by 94 points: 19.5 (119) to 3.7 (25). A lack of discipline by our boys led to them questioning the umpire’s decisions which is unacceptable. This resulted in us losing our structures and not following the coach’s instructions. Questioning the umpire’s decision will only end in the result we saw on Saturday. Goals: B. Triffett, B. Tomlin, J. Miller. Best Players: R. Blackaby, W. Banks, E. Holden, B. Triffett, J. Triffett, J. Miller.
GREG CHAPLIN
WOMEN: New Norfolk welcomed The Port to a sunny Boyer Oval on Saturday but it was not a good day for our girls, losing by 134 points. Best players: C. Skeggs, K. Slater, G. McNeill, J. Skelly, S. Cantrell, M. Temple.
