THE Eagles were on the road again last Saturday, travelling to the TCA to play Hobart. The conditions were cool and crisp for the 4.34pm start time. Windy conditions from earlier matches had eased, which made scoring more achievable at both ends of the ground.
The Eagles bounced out quickly with recruit Madi Shaw kicking their first two goals. Tarn Ford followed up with another major before Ellie Henricks capped off a good opening quarter for the Lady Eagles with another goal. New Norfolk had also scored four behinds for the quarter while holding Hobart to a solitary behind to lead by 27 points at the first break: New Norfolk 4.4 (28) to Hobart 0.1 (1).
The second quarter was a goal feast for the Eagles as Madi Shaw added another three, well supported by Tarn Ford with two goals and singles to Ellie Henricks and Madi Robertson as New Norfolk piled on seven goals for the term. It was an accurate display as the visitors only scored two behinds to hold a 71-point lead at the main change. Sophie McNeill was playing well and the Eagle backline was well on top, holding Hobart scoreless for the quarter: New Norfolk 11.6 (72) to Hobart 0.1 (1).
New Norfolk eased the pressure in the third term. Goals to Madi Shaw, Chloe Ford and Jorja Franklin increased the lead to 94 points at three quarter time. Inaccuracy in front of goal cost the Eagles a bigger lead as they recorded five behinds for the quarter. Again, their backline was well on top of the Hobart as they held the Tigers scoreless for the quarter: New Norfolk 14.11 (95) to Hobart 0.1 (1).
The Eagles rounded out the game with five goals in the last term. Madi Shaw again scored a goal and there were two each to Tarn Ford and Ellie Henricks to complete a very strong performance. Again, the strong defence held Hobart scoreless to run out comfortable winners by 124 points. Recruit Madison Shaw was on fire, recording seven goals. She was well-supported by the ever-reliable Tiarna Ford who scored five goals, and Ellie Henricks with four goals.
It was a strong percentage-boosting win which propelled the Eagles to the top of the ladder, but it must be remembered that Hobart are fielding a very young and inexperienced team this season after not having a team for the last few years. We congratulate them on their return to the competition and look forward to their progress as the season continues.
The Lady Eagles will face a tougher test tomorrow (April 25) at home against The Port. It is shaping as a great encounter and we encourage supporters to get along to Boyer Oval to hopefully cheer the team to victory. It is also a great opportunity to cheer on senior women’s coach Zoie Crawford as she plays her 50th game for the club.
CHRIS LOVELL
Scores: New Norfolk 19.11 (125) d Hobart 0.1 (1)
Best – New Norfolk: Hayley Browning, Jorja Franklin, Sidonie Skelly, Madison Shaw, Sophie McNeill, Chloe Ford. Hobart: G. Titmus, M. Goldsmith, L. Tiernan, J. Kean, L. Sims, M. Lewis.
Goals – New Norfolk: Madison Shaw 7,Tiana Ford 5, Ellie Henricks 4, Chloe Ford, Jorja Franklin, Maddison Robertson.
RESERVES REPORT – WAYNE WALKER
NEW NORFOLK V HOBART
THE Eagle Reserves side had a gutsy win over the Hobart Tigers by five points in a tight hard-fought contest over four quarters in the curtain raiser to the Seniors at the TCA ground on Saturday. The game certainly lived up to expectations as both sides have had a great rivalry over the past few seasons with the result almost always decided by a goal or less.
In an even first quarter, both sides had dominant stages, but it was all squared up at quarter time: New Norfolk 3.2 (20) to Hobart 3.2 (20). Playing coach Corey Ransley fired-up his charges during the break. He looked his
players in the eyes demanding that they put their heads over the footy and win possession.
The Eagles took some ascendency in the second term with Nathan Eyles and Andrew Minchen having an influence at centre bounce and around the ground. Crafty half-forward Zach Wheeler bagged two quick goals to give the Eagles an 11-point lead at the main break: New Norfolk 6.3 (39) to Hobart 4.4 (28). Ruckman Tyron Triffett was also doing some great work in the ruck at centre bounce and boundary throw-ins.
It was two goals to one in favour of the Tigers by three quarter time and it looked like we were set once again for another nail-biting finish as it has been over the last few seasons. New Norfolk held on to a five-point margin at the three-quarter time break.
The game seesawed throughout the last quarter. Bailey Wheeler took a grab at centre half forward kicking to the grandstand end and steadied the ship with a booming drop punt that sailed through to give the Eagles an 11-point lead with just two minutes remaining. The Tigers rallied and quickly answered with another major but with only seconds on the clock from the next centre bounce, the Eagles held on for a great win.
Onballer Nathan Eyles continued his great form. Zach Wheeler was clever up forward. Corey Ransley led from the front and provided a target on the forward line. Kayden Cunningham worked hard over four quarters and youngster Bobby Nossiter, in his first game for the club, did some good work until he copped a corky.
Scores: New Norfolk 9.7 (61) d Hobart 8.8
Best – New Norfolk: N. Eyles, Z. Wheeler, C. Ransley, T. Triffett, A. Minchin, J. Evans; Hobart: L. Wright, E. Wright, I. Haas, T. Cosgrove, H. Woodcock, T. Maughan.
Goals – New Norfolk: B. Wheeler 2, Z. Wheeler, T. Purdon, A. Minchin, K. Cunningham, M. Jones, C. Ransley, B. Triffett; Hobart: T. Maughan 3, T. Cosgrove 2, H. Woodcock 2, A. Jackson.
NEXT GAMES
Saturday, April 25, at Boyer Oval
Reserves v Cygnet @ Boyer Oval @ 12.30 pm
Seniors v Cygnet @ Boyer Oval @ 2.30 pm.
Women v The Port @ Boyer Oval @ 5.00 pm.
New Norfolk and Derwent Valley News is a sponsor of the New Norfolk District Football Club.
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