THE New Norfolk Eagles faced SFL powerhouse Port Cygnet on a hot and steamy Anzac Day afternoon at the big, sunbathed Boyer Oval on Saturday. The Eagles battled hard throughout the match but could not match the Port’s midfield running power through the centre of the ground and their more polished handling of the footy to run out 56-point winners.
The Eagles had some major exclusions from last week’s side with big ruckman Caleb Mayne (injured), Jacob Daley on the long-term injury list after suffering broken ribs and a ruptured spleen against Hobart, and Tyler Benson unavailable. The Eagles elevated defender Jaidyn Fisher-Cooley, tall ruckman Tyron Triffett and talented onballer Josh Eyles.
Eagle defender Jye Lester once again lined up on Port’s key forward, Joe Direen, and Tyron Triffett took leading ruck duties against Cygnet’s Will Polley. Eagle young gun Mikel Blundell matched up on Port forward James Zeitzen, Eagle back man Blake Mayne picked up Cygnet’s Jackson Gordon and Eagle high-flyer Tyron Bailey started at full forward. After an even first term and two goals from tough on baller Jake Foster and another from Ryan Bartels, only three points separated the sides at the first break: Cygnet 3.3 (21) to New Norfolk 3.0 (18).
Port midfielder Toby Cowen opened the second term with a goal as Port got their run-on game going in the early stages. Port entered their forward fifty once again, but Eagle high flyer Tyron Bailey took a spectacular mark in defence, suspended in the air head high on his opponent, which was a game highlight. Eagle utility player Tyson Eiszele left the ground with a knee injury during the quarter and took no further part in the contest.
Eagle veteran Josh Clifford pressured his Port opponent with a great tackle as the footy spilled out to Blake Mayne who converted for the Eagles fourth major. Cygnet steadied as their small brigade in Archie Watt, Ryan Clark and Lachlan Watt dominated play which created three goals for the quarter. Half-time scores were Cygnet 7.9 (51) to New Norfolk 4.1 (25).
Port dominated the third term with good ball use through the centre of the ground and always looked to square up the footy to their leading forwards. They banged on six goals to take a stranglehold on the contest with big forward Mitch Direen booting three for the quarter. Three-quarter-time scores were Cygnet 13.11 (89) to New Norfolk 5.3 (33).
The Eagle defenders fought hard in the last term. A positional move of Jye Bearman to a loose man in defence enabled him to mop up a number of Cygnet’s forward entries which stopped them from doing any major damage on the scoreboard. Both sides kicked three goals each in the quarter as Port went on to score a comfortable 56-point victory. The Eagles finished the latter stages of the game with only one player on the bench which made the task more difficult for the home side.
Defender Jye Lester stood up in defence on the competition’s leading forward, Joe Direen. Mikel Blundell continued his good form and kept Port’s James Zeitzen in check for most of the game. Tyron Bailey played a great captain’s game, and Jake Foster was in and under and always competing for the hard ball. Blake Mayne started in defence and went forward later in the contest and played a solid four quarter game. Rowan Thomason showed his class and skill and added pace around the contest.
The Eagles need a win for a confidence booster and face off against the Claremont Magpies who will also be keen to grab a win at Boyer in Round 4 this Saturday, which should be a great clash.
WAYNE WALKER
Final Scores
New Norfolk 8.7 (55)
Cygnet 16.15 (111)
Best – New Norfolk: Jye Lester, Mikel Blundell, Tyron Bailey, Jake Foster, Blake Mayne,
Rowan Thomason; Cygnet: H. Watt, R. Bradburn, T. Clark, A. Watt, C. Polley, R. Clark.
Goals – New Norfolk: J. Foster 2, J. Farrow, R. Thomason, R. Bartels; Cygnet: J. Direen 3, T. Cowen 2, A. Gill 2, T. Roach, A. Watt, J. Cowen, G. O’Neill, R. Bradburn, T. Clark, H. Watt, W, Cleeland, C. Polley.
RESERVES REPORT – WAYNE WALKER
THE Eagle Reserves rallied in the last term of their Anzac Day curtain-raiser, booting four goals to Cygnet’s one to fall short by 22 points at Boyer Oval. The Eagles could have been a lot closer had they not given away three costly 50-metre penalties during the match which resulted in goals to Port.
The Eagles started the game well with two early goals – one to youngster Bobby Nossiter and another to coach Corey Ransley – which gave the Eagles an 11-point lead at quarter time: New Norfolk 2.0 (12) to Cygnet 0.1 (1).
Cygnet got their running game going in the second term, booting six goals. Port forwards Bradley Lawless and Josh Doyle were influential up forward giving the visitors a 19-point lead at the main break: Cygnet 6.1 (37) to New Norfolk 3.0 (18).
Cygnet continued to control the contest in the third term and held onto a 30-point lead at three quarter time. The Eagles bounced back in the last quarter to finish off the game, falling short by just two goals. It highlights how costly 50m penalties can be at crucial stages when you weigh up the final result.
Good players for the Eagles were Bailey Wheeler who did a great job in the ruck and around the ground. Andrew Minchin continues to work hard for the Eagles and really is mister consistent week to week. Zane Lester used his pace applying pressure to his opponents and was busy at the contest. Jack Evans put his head over the footy as usual. Rohan Heron returned and performed well for the Eagles, providing a lead up target at centre half forward and Tobias Bradford was solid across half back. A special mention for youngsters Bradley Slater and Bobby Nossiter who did some good things and provided plenty of run for the Eagles.
Like the Seniors, the Eagle Reserves need early wins to get some momentum to build into the season. Hopefully they can bounce back against the Magpies.
Final Scores
New Norfolk 9.6 (60)
Cygnet 11.6 (72)
Best – New Norfolk: B. Wheeler, A. Minchin, Z. Lester, J. Evans, R. Heron, T. Bradford; Cygnet: N. Sculthorpe, A. Plottier, J. Walter, J. Doyle, B. Lawless, J. Wallace.
Goals – New Norfolk: C. Ransley 3, A. Minchin, N. Eyles, T. Warden, R. Heron, M. Schultz, B. Nossiter; Cygnet: Josh Doyle 5, Bradley Lawless 4, Noah Sculthorpe, Alessandro Plottier.
NEXT GAMES
Saturday, May 2, at Boyer Oval
Reserves v Claremont at 10am
Women v Claremont at noon
Seniors v Claremont at 2pm.
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