IT was a big day at Boyer Oval on Saturday when the New Norfolk Eagles were home to the Sorell Eagles in what was a crucial match for the senior side after a disappointing loss to the Hobart Tigers the previous week.
It was also a big day for one of the club’s stalwarts and most decorated players, Rohan “Paddles” Heron, who was lining up in the reserves for his 250th club game. A much-loved member of the club, Heron played his first senior game in 2005. Since his debut he has played 227 senior games with last Saturday being his 23rd reserves game and 250th club game.
Heron is a life member of the club, a former captain of the senior side and has won six premiership medals in his career. One of the most respected players at the club, Heron is an asset on and off the field with his leadership, commitment, and dedication. He is an inspiration to the younger players. Well done “Paddles” on a great game on Saturday and a fantastic career. We hope to see you playing in the red, white and black for a few more years.
The day ended extremely well for the New Norfolk Eagles, with convincing wins for the colts, reserves and seniors. This result will be a confidence boost ahead of a huge challenge this weekend against Huonville – last year’s premiers – at Huonville.
Our new-look women’s team play their first game of the season this Sunday against South East Suns at Pembroke Park., Sorell. The game starts at 10am and it would be great to see our supporters get there and give the girls the encouragement they deserve. The women started training in November and have had 30 different faces roll through during this time. They have consistently had 20 on the training track each week.
Carolyn Mart, Steph Claridge and Jaymee Lee Mansfield have joined the club from North Hobart and we are pleased to see former Under 17 premiership players Sophie Farrow and Tahylar Tangata, together with other players from this side join the team this season. With a strong group of underage girls stepping up to join a passionate group of existing players, it should be an exciting year for New Norfolk’s women’s team.
CHRIS LOVELL
SENIOR REPORT by David Banks
The senior game began in overcast and windy conditions with New Norfolk kicking towards the changerooms end of Boyer Oval. Early on, both teams were trying to exert pressure through the centre corridor. As the quarter progressed, New Norfolk started to get the break it desired, holding Sorell to one goal for the quarter while kicking six of their own to lead by 32 points at the first break.
The second quarter began with Sorell attacking strongly. The New Norfolk Eagle defence held firm and turned back each forward thrust. As the quarter wore on, Sorell managed to slot two goals while keeping the home side scoreless to get within 21 points at halftime. The scene was set for what looked to be an engrossing second half of footy.
The third quarter began with New Norfolk trying to exert its supremacy out of the centre but Sorell was making it hard for the home side to break away and score freely. New Norfolk eventually found avenues to goal and kicked five-nil for the quarter to lead by what looked a match winning 53-point lead, but with the visitors kicking with the breeze in the last quarter, it looked to be set up for a great finish.
The final quarter started with Sorell attacking constantly, kicking the first three goals to cut New Norfolk’s lead to 34 points. The visitors looked a big chance to take charge of the game, but the home side dug deep and started to hit back on the scoreboard. New Norfolk kicked the next four goals to take charge once again before the visitors kicked one in the last few minutes. In the end, the attack and intensity at the ball by the New Norfolk Eagles saw them get up for a comfortable 62-point win.
New Norfolk 15.18 (108)
Sorell 7.4 (46)
Best – New Norfolk: T. Bailey, J. Sokolski, T. Ford, J. Bearman, W. Banks, W, Burgess; Sorell: J. Perkins, M. Anderton, B. Hibberd, L. Butterworth, L. Cure, J. Klok.
Goals – New Norfolk: T. Ford, 5, J. Crossin 3, B. Lovell 2, J. Sokolski 2, J. Clifford, J. Hills, J. Bearman; Sorell: J. Perkins 5, T. Butterworth, B. Carter.
RESERVES REPORT by Bradley Chaplin
NEW Norfolk continued on its winning way with a solid performance against a depleted Sorell outfit to run out convincing winners by 134 points at Boyer Oval on Saturday. It was one-way traffic all game with the home side leading by 51 points at the first break and continuing to increase their lead as the game wore on.
The home side was well served by in-form Torne Tangata who dominated through the midfield giving our runners first use of the football and creating many options. Jordan Eiszele tackled hard and made it difficult for the visitors to get a clearance from the centre, while Brett Hodge gave the side plenty of run from half-back.
After losing playing coach Bryan Chaplin last weekend with a serious leg injury, it fell to Nic Clayton to step up to the role of the big target up forward. This he did with ease kicking five goals for the game. New Norfolk had too many options all over the ground with Hayden Bielleman proving too fast and dominating around the contests.
New Norfolk 20.15 (135)
Sorell 0.1 (1)
Best – New Norfolk: T. Tangata, J. Eiszele, R. Thomason, H. Bielleman, J. Van Lierop, T. Heron; Sorell: L. Hitchens, R. Prouse, R. Gregson, L. Nicholls, H. Bevis, R. Westbury.
Goals – New Norfolk: N. Clayton 5, C. Curtain 3, R. Thomason 3, R. Heron 3, K. Walker 2, J. Van Lierop 2, E. Holden, C. Ransley.
COLTS REPORT by Chris Lovell
THE New Norfolk colts returned to the winners list on Saturday with a solid performance against Sorell at Boyer Oval. It was good to see an improved performance by the boys after a loss to the Hobart Tigers the previous weekend at the TCA Ground.
An even first quarter tussle saw both sides vying for the upper hand with New Norfolk clawing its way to a slim 12-point lead at the first break. The second quarter was another arm wrestle, but as it wore on our boys started to gain the ascendency. While New Norfolk kept the Sorell scoreless, inaccurate kicking (1.5) kept Sorell in the game at half-time.
After the main break, the boys started to get their running game together and began to move the ball well as they piled on 9.4 to 1.3 to run out convincing winners by 78 points. The second half showed what the boys are capable of and with more training and games together will improve as the season progresses.
It is great to see younger players such as Riley Blackaby, Samuel Jackson, Jack Miller, Brodie Scanlon and Bailey Wheeler step up from junior football. They are playing great football and there is no doubt they will benefit from playing at a higher level. Coach Paul Clark has plenty of talent to work with and I am sure we will see some good
football from the boys as the season unfolds.
New Norfolk 13.11 (89)
Sorell 2.5 (17)
Best – New Norfolk: B. Wheeler, T. Lovell, Z. Lester, J. George, C. Keleher, J. Miller; Sorell: C. Watson, L. Hitchens, S. Cate, N. Brimfield, B. Balsley.
Goals – New Norfolk: J. Miller 7, T. Lovell 2, B. Wheeler, B. Scanlon, T. Carr, Z. Wheeler. Sorell: M. Prouse, B. Balsley.
