ROUND 8 – NEW NORFOLK v CYGNET
DUE due to a significant number of injuries within the three men’s squads and many players suffering from Covid-19, the New Norfolk District Football Club was not in a position to field a full complement of teams on Saturday. In consultation with the Cygnet Football Club and the Southern Football League, it was agreed that we would only field a Colts team and Senior Women’s team, and that the Senior game would be postponed to a suitable date later in the season.
This decision was not taken lightly, but with the limited number of fit available players the only squads that were able to field a team were the Colts and Senior Women. With regular Senior players Jacob Goodsell and Blake Ward eligible and Bailey Wheeler on permit from Lauderdale we managed to get 21 men’s players to Snug Park on Saturday. The only other option available to us would have been to promote at least 10 Colts players to scrape together a Senior team for the day. That option was not considered appropriate from a duty-of-care or player welfare perspective.
The co-operation and understanding from the Cygnet Football Club and the Southern Football League was exceptional and we sincerely thank them for their understanding and assistance during this difficult time.
Women’s Report by Vanessa Stevenson and Tash Farrow
THE Lady Eagles were on the road again on Saturday to Snug Park to play The Port Women in the inaugural SFL Pride Round. The game commenced in overcast and cool conditions with both teams desperate for the ball. The Eagles scored the first goal though Jodie Mather as the midfield was fighting hard with Sid Skelly, Krystina Jacobs and Sophie Farrow showing the way. Maddi Devine was dominant in the ruck and Hayley Roberts was playing well in the backline. It was a very low scoring quarter for both sides: New Norfolk 1.1 (7) to The Port 0.2 (2).
The second quarter saw The Port begin to exert some pressure with many forward attacks. The Eagles backline was holding off the advances and was well served by Hayley Roberts, Dannielle Clifford and Jazz Skelly. Sid Skelly kicked the only goal for the Eagles for the quarter while The Port kicked their first goal and four behinds. Half-time scores were New Norfolk 2.2 (14) to The Port 1.6 (12).
After the main break, The Port came out full of running and dominated the quarter, kicking five goals with the wind while keeping the Eagles scoreless. There were limited opportunities for the Eagles to enter their forward line during the quarter. Sid Skelly, Krystina Jacobs and Sophie Farrow battled well through the midfield. Three-quarter-time scores were The Port 6.9 (45) to New Norfolk 2.2 (14).
The final quarter saw the Eagles working hard to get the ball into their forward 50 while trying to defend stoutly. Both teams were kept goal-less for the term with The Port scoring three behinds while the Eagles failed to score. It was a disappointing quarter for the Eagles as they were kicking with the wind but couldn’t capitalise. Their backline worked hard during the quarter and was well supported by the midfield and ruck. The Port eventually ran out winners by 34 points.
Final Scores
The Port 6.12 (48)
New Norfolk 2.2 (14)
Best – The Port: Ella Brereton, Amy Sharp, Ellie Doyle, Maya Lamprill, Abbie Jones, Caitlin Denny; New Norfolk: Sid Skelly, Dannielle Clifford, Krystina Jacobs, Hayley Roberts, Sophie Farrow, Jasmine Skelly.
Goals – The Port: Georgia Jones, Tayla Clifford, Amy Sharp, Chloe Ashlin, Ella Brereton, Halle Bone; New Norfolk: Jodie Mather, Sid Skelly.
Colts Report by Chris Lovell
ON the back of a 102-point loss to the undefeated top-of-the-ladder Huonville Lions at home the previous week, the New Norfolk Colts were on the road to Snug Park to tackle Southern Storm on Saturday. As Southern Storm had only won one game for the season, the young Eagles were confident of a good showing, particularly with the
inclusion of regular Senior players Jacob Goodsell and Blake Ward, and with Bailey Wheeler on permit from Lauderdale. Unfortunately for the young Eagles, Southern Storm had 12 players included in their lineup for the encounter who had been playing at a higher level.
The game started in sunny but blustery conditions with both sides keen to get an early advantage. The Eagles were kicking with the advantage of the blustery wind, but Storm had the majority of play. The only major for the young Eagles came courtesy of a magnificent kick from the half forward flank by Brodie Scanlon. Quarter-time scores were Southern Storm 4.4 (28) to New Norfolk 1.3 (9).
The second quarter was all Southern Storm as they took full advantage of the wind to completely outplay the Eagles and score eight goals and two behinds while holding the young Eagles scoreless. Storm really showed their class and accuracy in front of goals, while the Eagles were left flat-footed. If not for some tremendous play from Bailey Wheeler in the last line of defence, the margin would have been much greater. Half-time scores were Southern Storm 12.6 (78) to New Norfolk 1.3 (9).
Colts Coach Tristan Triffett addressed the boys at half time and implored them to lock-on to a player and keep in touch with a man-on-man style of football. The young Eagles, although aided by the blustery conditions, were still finding it tough going against the Southern Storm outfit. Highlights for the quarter were two goals to Jack Miller, the second being a masterful snap from the boundary line in the forward pocket with a kick along the ground which curled beautifully through the big sticks. Blake Ward also chipped in for a strong goal from the square while Bailey Wheeler was still dominant in the fullback position keeping Southern Storm to one goal and 3 behinds. Three-quarter-time scores were Southern Storm 13.9 (87) to New Norfolk 4.B (28).
The final quarter was all one-way traffic as Southern Storm, with the aid of the breeze, piled on five goals and eight behinds to the Eagles’ solitary behind. Once again, Bailey Wheeler was a tower of strength at full back. The visitors were well served by Riley Triffett, Zack Holloway, Liam Kenyon, Tye Oakley and Brodie Scanlon. Next Saturday’s game against Dodges Ferry will be another tough assignment for the young Eagles.
NEXT GAMES – Saturday, June 3 at Boyer Oval
Seniors v Dodges Ferry at 2.30pm
Reserves v Dodges Ferry at 12.30 pm
Colts v Dodges Ferry at 10.30 am.
Women v Hutchins at 8.50 am.
