THIS weekend’s round of the Southern Football League sees the New Norfolk men’s teams travelling to Anzac Park at Lindisfarne today (Saturday). The colts will play at 10am, the reserves at noon and the seniors at 2pm. The women will play OHA at Geilston Bay at 9.30am today.
LAST WEEKEND’S GAMES:
Senior men’s report – by Wayne Walker
THE New Norfolk Eagles hit an all-time low with form and confidence as they were steamrolled in the second half to go down by 85 points to a much more committed Sorell at Pembroke Park on Saturday. Sorell slammed the gate shut on the Eagles as they booted 14 last-half goals displaying superior teamwork, led by playing coach Tim Castle.
The home side was always looking for and finding the loose man wide of the centre which created more avenues to goal to their leading forwards with spearhead Jacob Smith booting 7 goals for the match. New Norfolk looked sharp in the opening term and had more of the footy going into attack as they found the in-form Tyron Bailey who kicked truly for the Eagles’ first goal. They then followed up moments later with Brayden Butler receiving a free kick 35m out for their second. Sorell answered through big forward Jacob Bailey, but the visitors hit back through experienced veteran Josh Clifford who passed to Jaythen Poulsen who booted the Eagles third to jump out to a 15-point lead at quarter time. A dangerous tackle was applied to an Eagle player deep in the New Norfolk attacking
zone right on the siren which led to an ugly melee as tempers flared just before the quarter time break. Scores were New Norfolk 3.3 (21) to Sorell 1.0 (6).
Sorell gained momentum in the second term with Mitch Anderton gathering a number of possessions. He was well supported by Tom Bennett and Lucas Butterworth. The home side also had a clear edge in the ruck contests which gave their on-ball crew first use of the footy in the centre bounce area and at the stoppages around the ground which helped the home side to take a 12-point lead at the main break. Half time scores were Sorell 5.6 (36) to New Norfolk 3.6 (24).
The game looked like it was heading toward a tight contest, but the Sorell Eagles slammed on 6 goals in the third term while the visitors could only manage one from a snap by Ben Lovell. Sorell started to move the footy with more precision and found their forwards in space and on the lead as they marked many times in front of their New Norfolk opponents resulting in a number of set shots at goal giving them a commanding 45-point break. Three quarter time scores were Sorell 11.11 (77) to New Norfolk 4.8 (32).
Unfortunately for New Norfolk it was a repeat of their recent past encounters where they were competitive for the first half but failed to maintain the pressure and intensity that is required around the contest to stay in the game which tends to happen with a young side. Sorell ran away with the game adding another 8-goal blitz in the last term to go on and record a big 85-point victory.
It will be a long season for the Eagles and things are about to get tougher with games against Lindisfarne and Cygnet in the coming weeks ahead. Confidence is at an all-time low and all the Eagles can do is hit the training track and continue to work on their game and remain positive from week to week. Injuries certainly play a big part with captain Josh Farrow and Jacob Daley on the sidelines along with a number of others but on a positive note young Bailey Wheeler continues to impress at senior level. Jaidyn Fisher-Cooley steps up every week and is making his stamp by taking a number of intercept marks across half back. Jordan Eiszele battled hard all day and youngsters Bailey Chaplin and Mitchell Hay also performed well.
The New Norfolk Eagles would have fancied themselves over the last few weeks against the likes of Claremont and Sorell which looked like winnable games but unfortunately, they went the other way which has clearly knocked their confidence around and with the second half of the season ahead the club needs to stay positive and see what the next chapter brings.
Final Scores
New Norfolk 6G 9B 45 points
Sorell 19G 16B 130 points
Best – New Norfolk: B. Wheeler, J. Fisher-Cooley, B. Chaplin, J. Eiszele, J. Banks-Smith, M.
Hay; Sorell: J. Smith, J. Bailey, M. Anderton, T. Bennett, J. Wylie. Butterworth.
Goals – New Norfolk: T. Bailey, B. Lovell, B. Chaplin, J. Poulson, R. Higgins; Sorell: J. Smith 7, T. Bennett 2, C. Murfet 2, J. Brenner 2, J. Bailey 2, N. Baker, M. Anderton, L. Butterworth, J. Young.
Reserves Report – by Wayne Walker
The New Norfolk reserves staged a comeback win by 5 points in the final minutes of the last quarter to continue their winning form over Sorell in what was a tight contest for four quarters. Eagle young gun Thomas Lovell who had been on the bench for most of the last half with illness came back onto the field in the dying minutes and gathered the footy at the true centre half forward position and booted the all-important final goal through the big sticks to record a great win for his side.
The New Norfolk Eagles took an early lead in the first term due to some great work by big Corey Ransley who booted the first goal of the game taking the ball from the ruck throw in and steering through a magnificent torpedo punt from a tight angle. Ransley was instrumental up forward in the next two goals scored bringing the ball to ground across half forward with Jake Bearman and Tyler Purdon gathering the crumbs at ground level both kicking majors to give New Norfolk a 15-point break at quarter time.
Sorell hit back in the second term booting three goals and also missing a number of opportunities whilst holding New Norfolk scoreless for the quarter to go into the main break with a 9-point lead with Sorell Eagles forward Scott Jackson looking dangerous. Half time scores were Sorell 4.7 (31) to New Norfolk 3.4 (22).
New Norfolk bounced back in the third term with the busy Jake Foster short passing to goal sneak Cody Neads who kicked truly. They pushed forward from the next centre bounce deep into their forward line and it was dangerman Cody Neads once again sharking the footy at ground level from a marking contest to kick another for the visitors to give them a 4-point lead. Eagle big man Jason Drake received a free kick 40m out on a tight angle and steered through another goal for New Norfolk but the home side answered with their only goal for the term which set up a tight last quarter with the New Norfolk Eagles holding onto a slender 4-point lead: New Norfolk 6.7 (43) to Sorell 5.9 (39).
Sorell took over in the early stages of the last term kicking three goals to take the lead, but Andrew Minchin kicked an important goal for New Norfolk to cut Sorell’s lead back to eight points. The New Norfolk Eagles pushed forward once again, and it was Cody Neads again causing havoc for the Sorell defenders as he kicked his third with only two points the difference. Moments later Neads grabbed the footy close to goal and snapped for a minor score with only one point separating both sides. The game could have gone either way with only minutes remaining. Enter Thomas Lovell who had been on the pine for most of the last half feeling unwell as he entered the contest to boot the winning goal.
The reserves side has been in a number of tight contests throughout the season and in most cases have held on for the win which stands them in good stead in close games. On-ballers Jake Bearman, Jake Foster and Andrew Minchin played well over four quarters. Corey Ransley had a great battle with Sorell defender James Campbell and newcomer Harry Sillifant showed that he will be a handy acquisition. William Watts continues to show improvement with his run through style of game in the ruck and around the contest and danger man Cody Neads brought the Eagles back into the contest with his three goals to swing the game back in New Norfolk’s favour.
Assistant coach Bradley Chaplin commended his players post-match and stressed that the squad could have more upside with still a number of players that could return and asked the question of how good they could be leading into the second half of the season.
Final Scores
New Norfolk 9G 8B 62 points
Sorell 8G 9B 57 points
Best – New Norfolk: C. Ransley, J. Bearman, H. Sillifant, C. Neads, J. Foster, W. Watts; Sorell: B. Walker, J. Campbell, S, Jackson, L. Dance, J. McKean.
Goals – New Norfolk: C. Neads 3, T. Purdon, J. Bearman, B. Drake, H. Sillifant, C. Ransley, A. Minchin; Sorell: S. Jackson 4, T. Pace, T. McSwain, C. Harris, B. Walker.
Colts Report – by Chris Lovell
Following a nail-biting win against the Brighton Robins the week before, the young Eagles travelled to Huonville Oval on Saturday to tackle the strong Lions. It was another opportunity for the young Eagles to see how far they have progressed this season against the top of the ladder Lions.
The Eagles began the game well and took it right up to their more fancied opponents. The young Eagles were once again accurate in front of goal kicking 2 goals 1 behind for the term. The Lions were inaccurate in front of goal kicking 4 behinds. The visitors held a narrow 9-point lead at the first change. Quarter time scores were New Norfolk
2.1 (13) to Huonville 0.4 (4).
The second quarter saw the Lions attacking relentlessly. The Eagle defence was under extreme pressure but managed to keep their cool as a very inaccurate Lions piled on 1 goal 7 behinds. The Eagles maintained their composure and scored 2 goals 2 behinds against the flow to retain their 9-point quarter time lead at the main break. Half time scores were New Norfolk 4.2 (26) to the Lions 1.11 (17).
The Lions got on top of the Eagles in the third term and looked dangerous as they continued to pepper the goals. Fortunately for the young Eagles they remained inaccurate recording 3 goals 3 behinds. The Eagles managed 3 behinds to head into the last quarter trailing the Lions by 9 points. Three quarter time scores were New Norfolk 4.5 (29) to Huonville 4.14 (38).
The scene was set for a big last quarter and the young Eagles really stepped up and took the game right up to the Huonville Lions. The Eagles held their more fancied opponents to 1 goal 1 behind while the piling on 3 goals 2 behinds to record a narrow but impressive 4-point victory.
We have previously talked about a lack of discipline with the young Eagles. On Saturday they concentrated on playing football and showed what they are capable of when they concentrate and don’t get involved in undisciplined acts.
It was pleasing to see 12 under 16.5 players in the side on Saturday and this shows the depth we have in our junior ranks. The rotation of young players through the Colts, Reserves and Seniors this season shows that the next few years should see many of these youngsters lining up in the Senior team.
Today the young Eagles have another tough game against Lindisfarne, who now sit on top of the ladder. This is another opportunity for the boys to show how much they have improved and continue to push towards playing finals.
Final Scores
New Norfolk 7G 7B 49 points
Huonville 5G 15B 45 points
Best – New Norfolk: R. Blackaby, H. Morgan, H. Burns, S. Hine, T. Benson, D. Branch; Huonville: M. Hendricks, N. Shelverton, J. Moles, J. Pavletich, F. Spurr, C. Dahmes.
Goals – New Norfolk: D. Branch 3, J. Miller 2, C. Blackaby, B. Scanlon; Huonville: F. Johns 3, J. Pavletich 2.
Women’s Report – by Chris Lovell
After a massive win over Claremont the week before, the lady Eagles travelled to the New Town Bike Track Oval last weekend to tackle the strong St Virgil’s outfit. St Virgil’s was coming off a strong win against the second placed Brighton Robins and were looking to add another victory and move closer to the top of the ladder Eagles.
The game began in good conditions with no significant wind advantage. The Eagles started well and had plenty of opportunities in their forward half scoring 3 goals to the home sides single major to hold a 14-point lead at the first change: Eagles 3.2 (20) to St Virgil’s 1. 0 (6). The second quarter saw St Virgil’s start to get more forward-50 entries. They were accurate in front of goals scoring 3goals one behind. The Eagles were still getting plenty of opportunities but were less accurate scoring one goal three behinds to hold a narrow 4-point lead at the main break: Eagles 4.5 (29) to St Virgil’s 4.1 (25).
The third term was a real arm wrestle with both back lines holding up strongly. Both sides could only manage one behind each to set up a fascinating last term. Three quarter time scores: Eagles 4.6 (30) to St Virgil’s 4.2 (26). The last quarter was once again a real struggle as both sides tried to gain the advantage. The Eagles backline was holding up well under great pressure and kept St Virgil’s to 3 behinds. The Eagles scored one goal in the last term to score a 7-point victory.
It was a tough game with lots of pressure creating some scrappy play with several turnovers. The Eagles suffered an early blow with the late withdrawal of Zoie Crawford. This enabled the move of the much-improved Laura Wigg to the midfield and a best on ground performance. The lady Eagles also lost Tayhlar Tangata and Chloe Ford through injury just after the main break. Natalie Bearman held the backline together while 15-year-old Madison Devine was unbeatable in the ruck. The Eagles now sit two games clear on top of the ladder and today travel to Geilston Bay to play OHA to attempt to keep their unbeaten run intact.
Final Scores
New Norfolk 5G 6B 36 points
St Virgils 4G 5B 29 points
Best – New Norfolk: L. Wigg, S, Farrow, M. Temple, N. Bearman, O. Harris, G. Kube; St Virgil’s: A. Reid, A. Singles, M. Debeljakovic, E. Tweeddale, F. Langford, T. Stubbs.
Goals – New Norfolk: C. Ford, O. Harris, M. Green, T. Tangata, J. Hay; St Virgil’s: F. Langford, E. Tweeddale, R. Davies.
One Comment
fan*TAS*tic news about the women’s game. Good job on reporting on all the games.
I would also like to share some news about women playing footie. In today’s post surprise
….. all the women captain cards for this years AFL footie card collection.