SFL fans were keen to witness the New Norfolk Eagles take on the Hobart Tigers at the TCA ground last weekend to see where their respective teams sit for season 2026. In front of a good crowd, the Tigers managed to hold on by 14 points in an entertaining contest, looking a little fitter and faster than the Eagles at crucial stages.
The Eagles put plenty of pressure on the Tigers, which led to their inaccuracy in front of goal as many of their forward entries were running shots at the big sticks or from acute angles. Key match-ups at the start of the contest had giant Tiger ruckman Noah Mead taking on Eagle boom recruit Caleb Mayne.
Tiger tagger Ned Shaw was given the task on in-form Eagle on-baller Jake Bearman and big Eagle defender Blake Mayne lined up on Tiger forward Harry Van Kraanen. Talented Eagle on-baller Tyron Bailey booted the first goal of the contest as he burst through heavy traffic 10 metres out from goal. The Tigers answered quickly with two goals to take an early nine-point lead.
Eagle coach Josh Farrow left the field early with what looked to be a calf injury which put the Eagles on the back foot in the short term. However, in the next stage of play Tyron Bailey stepped up, taking the footy from a boundary throw-in and kicking a great goal on the run for the visitors. The Eagles pushed forward again, finding Jacob Daley who received a free kick and converted for the Eagles’ third goal for the quarter.
Coach Farrow re-entered the contest and took up a position deep in the forward line late in the term. The Tigers were not to be denied as they added another two goals in quick succession to lead by 15 points at quarter-time: Hobart 5.5 (35) to New Norfolk 3.2 (20).
The Eagles started the second term with a goal to forward Jacob Daley, who took a strong mark only 10m out for his second goal after a slick pass from Tyson Eiszele. Daley looked dangerous at full forward and moments later received a free kick in front of goal and he converted for his third major. The Eagles held the Tigers to one goal during the quarter but still trailed by 12 points at the main break: Hobart 6.11 (476) to New Norfolk 5.5 (35).
Tall Tiger Ethan Monks snapped the first goal of the third term. The Eagles replied with Mitch Hay doing what he does best as he sharked the footy from a ruck contest, picked up the crumbs and kicked truly. The Eagles pushed forward once again and found Farrow close to goal for another major, which placed the visitors only seven points in arrears.
The Eagles had momentum and once again Farrow took a strong mark 45m metres out on a 45-degree angle and the coach steered through his second as the Eagles were just two points behind. Rugged Tiger forward Jake Sansom marked and goaled and by three-quarter time the Tigers held a slender seven-point lead: Hobart 8.15 (63) to New Norfolk 8.8 (56).
The Eagles suffered a major blow during the third quarter, with key forward Jacob Daley leaving the field with an injury after flying for a contested mark. He suffered two broken ribs, internal bleeding and damage to his spleen which will rule him out for many weeks.
Early in the final term, Tiger forward Jake Sansom plucked the footy from a ruck duel in the forward pocket and kicked the Tigers’ ninth major. They followed up with another from Winston Forrest after he wrapped up his Eagle opponent in a tackle to jump out to a 23-point lead. Big Eagle ruckman Caleb Mayne passed the Sherrin to Farrow for his third. The Eagles followed up with another major from Tyler Benson late in the quarter to finally go down by 14 points at the final siren.
Talented on-baller Tyron Bailey provided his usual package of highlights, showing off his high marking skills, run and carry and scoring two goals. Caleb Mayne held his own against a the very good Noah Mead as they provided a great contest throughout the game. Blake Mayne was solid in defence and Mikel Blundell continues to impress. Ryan Wakefield had plenty of the footy and tried hard all day. Jacob Daley presented well up forward with his three goals.
The Eagles face a bigger challenge this Saturday (April 25) in Round 3 against Cygnet. It will need to be a complete team effort by the selected 22 players if the Eagles are able to upset the powerhouse from down south.
Scores: Hobart 10.23 (83) d New Norfolk 10.9 (69).
Best – New Norfolk: Tyron Bailey, Caleb Mayne, Blake Mayne, Mikel Blundell, Ryan Wakefield, Jacob Daley; Hobart: Jed Bricknell, Ned Shaw, Jewd Careless, Lachie Dare, Jake Sansom, Will Gergel.
Goals – New Norfolk: T. J. Daley 3, J. Farrow 3, T. Bailey 2, M. Hay, T. Benson; Hobart: W. Forest 2, J. Sansom 2, H. Van Kraanen, E. Monks, D. Pulford, L. Dare, J. Butler, N. Shaw.
NEXT GAMES
Saturday, April 25, at Boyer Oval
Reserves v Cygnet at 12.30pm
Seniors v Cygnet at 2.30pm
Women v The Port at 5pm
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