IT was a disappointing day on the road for the Eagles last Saturday with all teams well beaten by a strong Huonville outfit. The day started with our colts playing in foggy conditions and ended with a comprehensive demolition by Huonville in the senior game.
Things turned around on Sunday at Pembroke Park, Sorell, when our women’s team won their first game. Playing against South East Suns Grey in the first game of the SFLW season, they turned on an outstanding performance to run out 40-point winners. Congratulations to the team and their coach Ben Shaw on this historic milestone and we look forward to more wins this season. Well done to all involved.
We now look forward to a big day at Boyer Oval tomorrow (Saturday) with all teams playing at home. Please get along to Boyer Oval to support your local club. All players would appreciate your attendance as they give their all for the Red, White, and Black.
Colts v Lindisfarne at 9 am
Women v Claremont at 11 am
Reserves v Lindisfarne at 1 pm
Seniors v Lindisfarne at 3 pm
CHRIS LOVELL
Senior Report – Wayne Walker: Reigning SFL premiers, the Huonville Lions, sounded a warning to the rest of the competition by handing the New Norfolk Eagles a football lesson at the Lions’ home ground last Saturday. In perfect, sunny conditions, the home side ran out 95-point winners. The Lions now sit on top of the SFL ladder by percentage over the Hobart Tigers.
The Lions were relentless, with their continued run and slick ball movement by foot to lead up targets all over the ground, which had the Eagles on the defensive for most of the afternoon. Boom Huonville recruit, and former Clarence player, Brady Jones was best on ground. Jack Philp, who was recruited back to Tasmania from Cairns, was also in damaging form.
The game began with young Eagle Tyron Bailey opening in the ruck against big Lion Rhys Ward. Eagle captain Josh Farrow lined up on Liam Ward, while Jacob Daley had the task of looking after big Lion forward Mitch Walker. The Eagles started well with Tyler Ford and Caden Wilson looking dangerous up forward as the Eagles booted three goals for the first term. Huonville got their game going halfway through the quarter with goals to James McIndoe, Rhys Douglas, and Jack Philp. The Lions were on the attack with more forward entries resulting in six goals as the quarter time scores read Huonville 6.8.44 to the Eagles 3.1.19.
The second term was again played more on the Lions terms with a five goal to three quarter. The Eagles were just hanging in due to the home sides inaccuracy in front of goal. Brady Jones was again instrumental in the quarter, kicking three majors which saw the Lions increase their quarter time lead of 25 points to 37 points at the main break.
Shortly after the start of the third quarter, young Eagle Jack Stevenson was involved in a heavy clash on the wing with the Lions Rhys Douglas. Both players were vying for a fifty-fifty ball and had eyes only for the footy. Both suffered shoulder injuries and needed to leave the ground. Jack showed plenty of guts and determination for a young player, and his creative play across half forward will be missed over the coming weeks.
The second half was all the Lions, as they slammed on 11 goals to the Eagles’ 4, to run away with a convincing win. The Eagles were left scratching their heads looking for answers after the final siren. Captain Josh Farrow, along with Rhys Heald, worked hard across the backline. Jake Bearman was in and under, contesting for the hard ball, while also running with Brady Jones at different stages of the game. Caden Wilson was always trying to create scoring opportunities on the forward line. He finished the day with three goals while Tim Butterworth put in another solid performance.
Eagle coach Josh Clifford had his boys bunkered down after the game, with all players having an open discussion on what went wrong, and what needs to be done over the weeks ahead. There are always positives that come out of a game of footy, even though the result may be one-sided. Young Will Banks showed that he has what it takes to perform at senior level, displaying his skills along with plenty of run and dash. Tyler Ford looks to be a smooth mover, has a great pair of hands, and certainly knows how to take a big grab. Jacob Daley is looking like his old self, after being out of the game for an extended period last year and is having an impact over four quarters.
Our younger players in Chaplain, Stevenson, Bailey. Triffett and Thomason are all gaining more valuable experience at senior level. Recruits JackCrossin, Corey Jetson, Wade Burgess and Tim Butterworth have all performed well at various stages for the Eagles. They must be given time to click as confidence and form build within the entire playing group.
The Eagles have slipped to fifth on the ladder and need to stay in hunt with the teams above them. We now move into round 6 for a vital clash against the Lindisfarne Two Blues at Boyer Oval this coming Saturday.
Huonville 22.28 (160)
New Norfolk 10.5 (65)
Best – New Norfolk: W. Banks, T. Butterworth, J. Daley, C. Wilson T. Bailey, J. Farrow; Huonville: J. Philp, B. Jones, M. Walker, D. Golding, R. Ward, C. Johns.
Goals – New Norfolk: C. Wilson 3, J. Bearman 2, J. Clifford, T. Ford, J. Sokolski, J. Hills, J. Crossin; Huonville: B. Jones 4, M. Walker 4, R. Ward 2, A. Grubb 2, B. Guy 2, J. Philp 2, A. Vincent, C. Rawson, J. McIndoe, T. Barnett, M. Schenk, R. Douglas.
Reserves Report – Wayne Walker: The Eagle Reserves suffered their first loss for the season against the Huonville Lions on Saturday at Huonville. After an even first half, the visitors failed to run out the game as the Lions came away with a comfortable 57-point win to cement their position at the top of the ladder.
New Norfolk held a one-point lead at half time (4.5 to 4.4) but struggled to find a clear focal point up forward, with Corey Ransley and Nic Clayton well held by the Lions backline. The Lions booted ten goals in the second half (four in the third quarter and six in the last) as the Eagles could only manage one for the rest of the game.
Tyson Eiszele looks to be hitting his best form, as he racked up many touches, along with the ever-reliable veteran defender Luke Browning, who played a great game on the backline. Torne Tangata has not missed a beat this season, and must be close to senior selection, after another high possession game along with his tough straight at the ball style of play. Tyler Purdon and Jake Foster were busy all day, along with Josh Van-Lierop.
Assistant Reserves coach Bradley Chaplain reminded his players that the score-line could have been a lot closer had the Eagles not given away undisciplined frees. These frees resulted in several fifty-metre penalties that gave the Lions several easy goals. The Reserves side now faces another tough test against second placed Lindisfarne in what should be a tight encounter at Boyer Oval on Saturday.
Huonville 14.8 (92)
New Norfolk 5.5 (35)
Best – New Norfolk: L. Browning, J. Van Lierop, T. Eiszele, T. Tangata, N. Ford, T. Purdon. Huonville: N. Mommers, J. Stanway, B. Page, B. Roberts, L. Bertrand, T. Clark.
Goals – New Norfolk: T. Eiszele, T. Purdon, J. Foster, M. Murray, J. Van Lierop. Huonville: C. Stockfeld 3, B. Page 2, B. Roberts, L. O’Neill, D. Geeves, T. Clark, R. Guy, P. Kelly, G. Halliday, N. Yates, J. Stanway.
Colts Report – Chris Lovell: The New Norfolk Eagles Colts had an early start last Saturday, leaving home at 6.30am, for the long trip to Huonville for an 8.30 am game. The game commenced in foggy conditions. The first quarter was even with the home side holding a small two-goal lead at the first change.
After the first break, the strength of the home side began to show, as they increased their lead at every change to eventually win convincingly by 53 points. This is a young side, and the boys are learning week by week. To their credit, they fought the game out well and Coach Paul Clark has plenty of talent to work with. I am sure we will see some good football from the boys as the season progresses.
Huonville 14.14 (98)
New Norfolk 6.9 (45)
Best – New Norfolk: B. Wheeler, S. Holloway, B. Scanlon, T. Oakley, J. George, L. Howard. Huonville: J. Glover, J. Thorpe, J. Bain, W. Quarrier, G. Stevenson, J. Richards.
Goals – New Norfolk: J. Miller 3, J. Triffett 2, B. Scanlon. Huonville: J. Bain 4, G. Stevenson 3, T. Waits 2, R. Tyler, J. Richards, J. Terry, C. Lovell, J. DeWeys.
Women’s Report – Chris Lovell: It was an historic day for the New Norfolk District Football Club on Sunday as our women’s team won its first game in the Southern Football League competition. There was tremendous enthusiasm within the team as they ran on to Pembroke Park for their first match of the season, under new coach Ben Shaw, against the South East Suns Grey.
The game was played in perfect conditions, with the first quarter an even contest with both teams finding their feet. The Eagles held a narrow 2-point margin at quarter time. Following the first break the girls really got their run-on game going and continued to improve as the game wore on. They managed to score another 6 goals 8 behinds to the Suns’ one goal.
All the hard work put in since commencing training in November last year really paid off as they grew in confidence as the game progressed to run out convincing winners by 40 points. It would be an injustice to try and single out individual performances, as every one of the players gave their all in a very impressive performance. It was great to see an enthusiastic rendition of the club song after the game.
Coach Ben Shaw has concentrated on the basics and should be congratulated on the work he has done with this group, and the way he has them united and playing as a team. After several disappointing seasons, the team looks really promising and should have a lot of fun this season, hopefully winning more games.
New Norfolk 7.10 (52)
South East Suns 2.0 (12)
Best – New Norfolk: L. Wigg, K. Slater, S. Farrow, D. Clifford, C. Mart. C. Skeggs; South East Suns Grey: Z. Chugg, A. Cannell, T. Johnson, S. Wise, A. Johnson, N. McSwain.
Goals – New Norfolk: H. Madden 2, C. Mart 2, J. Mansfield 2, D. Clifford; South East Suns Grey: S. Wise, Z. Chugg.
