AFTER a big win over Cygnet the previous week, the boys from the Sorell Eagles came to play as they outclassed the New Norfolk Eagles with slick ball movement and too much firepower in attack to run out convincing 81-point winners at the big Boyer Oval on Saturday.
It was a repeat performance from round one with Sorell’s key forwards Jeremiah Perkins (five goals), Connor Downham (four goals) and Nicholas Raglione (four goals) causing the Eagle defenders all sorts of problems throughout the contest. They were well supported by onballers Will Francis, Tom Bennett and Brock Daniels who were on top in the clearances. New Norfolk badly missed on-ball duo Jake Bearman and Jake Foster who were out with injury. Their absence had a big impact on the overall result and player rotations through the midfield.
At the start of the match, in-form New Norfolk full forward Blake Mayne was picked up by Sorell full back Joseph Bateman. Caleb Mayne and Tyron Triffett tangled with Sorell big men Joe Sowter and Nicholas Thornbury when rotated in the ruck. Defender Jordan Eiszele picked up Sorell’s Ben Walker and youngster Mikel Blundell lined up on Sorell spearhead Jeremiah Perkins.
Ball magnet Jye Bearman snapped the first goal for the home side, but the visitors hit back with a goal to Perkins. New Norfolk was busy early and found centreman Ryan Wakefield who kicked truly for the home side. Star Sorell utility Brock Daniels was dominant early as the visitors found Connor Smith for a goal. Speedster Jye Bearman featured once again, bagging his second goal, but Sorell put another three majors through the big sticks to take a 15-point lead into the quarter-time break: Sorell 5.5 (35) to New Norfolk 3.2 (20).
New Norfolk moved defender Jye Lester onto the very dangerous Jeremiah Perkins early in the second term after he booted his second goal. This was followed by another from a Connor Smith snap which enabled Sorell to jump out to a 29-point lead. Talented New Norfolk onballer Ryan Wakefield fired a bullet-like pass to playing coach Josh Farrow who put a reverse banana kick right through the big sticks. Perkins added another major to his tally moments later. The home team answered with a strong mark from forward Blake Mayne who steered the Sherrin through the big sticks from 45 metres out. The New Norfolk bench made a number of positional changes on the backline, but Sorell went up a gear and quickly scored another three goals to take a match-winning lead of 51 points at the main break: Sorell 12.11 (83) to New Norfolk 5.2 (32).
Sorell continued to control the footy in the third term with another Sorell forward, Connor Downham, bobbing up and booting three goals for the term as the visitors extended their lead to 64 points at three-quarter time. When New Norfolk got the ball forward, Farrow and Mayne looked dangerous, bagging a goal each, but the footy spent most of its time in Sorell’s forward half through slick ball movement. Three-quarter time scores: Sorell 17.14 (116) to New Norfolk 8.4 9 (52).
Sorell finished the game adding another five majors in the last term. Talented New Norfolk swingman Tyron Bailey booted two for the quarter as the game came to a finish with the visitors recording a big 81-point victory.
It was the first really bad defeat for New Norfolk this season as they have committed themselves quite well in past losses against good quality opposition in Cygnet and Huonville.
Busy onballer Jye Bearman was best for the home side. Caleb Mayne continues to work hard in the ruck contests and around the ground. Jye Lester played well in many positions throughout the game and Tyron Bailey was good. Blake Mayne presented well in attack and Ryan Wakefield racked up many possessions. New Norfolk tracks back to the city to take on the Hobart Tigers at the TCA Ground in round seven tihs weekend and must see themselves as a chance to get their second win for the season as past encounters have been close.
Final Scores
New Norfolk 10.7 (67)
Sorell 22.16 (148)
Best – New Norfolk: Jye Bearman, Caleb Mayne, Jye Lester, Tyron Bailey, Blake Mayne, Ryan Wakefield; Sorell: C. Downham, W. Francis, T. Bennett, J. Sawford, N. Raglione, J. Smith.
Goals – New Norfolk: J. Farrow 3, Jye Bearman 2, T. Bailey 2, Blake Mayne 2, R. Wakefield; Sorell: J. Perkins 5, C. Downham 4, N. Raglione 4, J. Smith 3, C. Smith 2, W. Francis 2, B. Jackson, J. Sawford.
RESERVES REPORT – WAYNE WALKER
The New Norfolk Reserves were playing catch up footy for most of the game while Sorell had more run in their legs and a few more forward options, to record a 25-point victory in the curtain-raiser to the Senior hit out on Saturday. SEE THE PHOTO GALLERY
The home side struggled to bridge the gap of three to four goals throughout the contest and could not get the footy into key forwards Corey Ransley and Rohan Heron quick enough before Sorell got numbers back. New Norfolk had minimal clearances out of the centre and also at the stoppages with the exclusions of Jack Evans (suspended) and Andrew Minchen (injured). They generally get the Eagles moving forward or create a fifty-fifty contest.
After an even first term trailing by only two points, New Norfolk slipped behind by three goals at half-time and three goals at three-quarter time, finally going down by 25 points at the final siren. Talented Bailey Wheeler continues to build on his great season form and Mitchell Jones put in a solid game. Hayden Davis battled hard all day and had plenty of the footy and it was good to see youngster Liam Lowe back in the red, white and black and having an impact after a delayed start to the season. Cameron Clark also showed good signs throughout the contest.
New Norfolk now faces the Hobart Tigers in the next round in what always seems to be a cliffhanger each time they meet.
Final Scores
New Norfolk 6.5 (41)
Sorell 10.6 (66)
Best – New Norfolk: M. Jones, H. Davis, J. Campbell, B. Wheeler, L. Lowe, C. Clarke; Sorell: A. Harrison, M. Johnson, A. Mead, J. Johnson, J. Broom, T. Smith.
Goals – New Norfolk: R. Heron 2, C. Ransley, Z. Wheeler, N. Eyles and one unknown; Sorell: H. Barr 2, T. Alomes 2, C. Reid, J. Broom, others unknown.
NEXT GAMES, SATURDAY, MAY 23
Women v Lindisfarne at Boyer Oval at 9.30am
Reserves v Hobart at the TCA Ground at noon
Seniors v Hobart at the TCA Ground at 2pm.
New Norfolk and Derwent Valley News is a sponsor of the New Norfolk District Football Club.
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