ROUND 7 of the SFL season last Saturday saw the Hobart Tigers hold off a determined New Norfolk Eagle outfit for the prestigious Trevor Leo Cup in what was a replay of the round two match at the TCA Ground.
The first time the teams met in season 2026, the Tigers took the win by 14 points while this time around they held on by the same margin in what was a repeat performance in an entertaining match between the two old rivals.
Tasmanian football legend Trevor Leo, who played and coached both sides back in the glory days of Tasmanian football, addressed both teams before the encounter with some wise words of encouragement which was a nice touch before the opening bounce.
The Eagles went into the match without key players including in-form defender Rowan Thomason (concussion), Jye Bearman, Josh Eyles and Jye Lester (all unavailable), while youngster Bobby Nossiter and Ryan Bartels both went back to the Reserves. Players coming in were follower/forward Jye County, ball magnet Jake Bearman, tough onballer Torne Tangata, defender Tobias Bradford and half forward Mitchell Jones for his first Senior game.
The Eagles were lucky the Tigers were off target in the first term, missing a number of shots at goal, but the Eagles bounced back towards the end of the quarter with goals to Blake Mayne, Josh Farrow and Jye County to take a one-point lead into the quarter-time break: New Norfolk 3.5 (23) to Hobart 2.10 (22). The match-up highlight was once again high-flying ruckman Caleb Mayne going one-on-one with tall Tiger Noah Mead which was a great battle.
The Tigers bagged the first major in the second term, but the Eagles bounced back with a booming goal from Jake Bearman and another two from Tyson Eiszele who was having a great quarter. Another six pointer came via a clever snap from Jye County and moments later Josh Clifford put the Sherrin on the chest of Josh Farrow for another major as the Eagles jumped out to a 15-point lead. Pacey Tiger forward Lachie Dare snared the next two goals in quick succession followed by another from Elliot Shaw as the Tigers wrestled back momentum in the latter stages of the term. Tiger forward Jake Sansom marked and kicked truly as the home side bounced back to take a six-point lead into the main break: New Norfolk 8.11 (59) to Hobart 9.11 (65).
It was goal-for-goal in the third term. The Eagles started to get back on top in the contest as veteran Josh Clifford was front and square in a marking contest and picked up the crumbs for a great goal. The Eagles bagged another major from a double 50 metre penalty as Tyron Bailey was brought to the goal line to kick truly. The next stage of play saw coach Josh Farrow pluck the ball from the ruck contest and snap a goal to put the Eagles four points up. Tiger forward Elliot Shaw marked and goaled late in the term to give the Tigers a two-point lead just before the three-quarter time siren: New Norfolk 13.13 (91) to Hobart 13.15 (93).
The Tigers grabbed an early break in the last term with the first three goals to take a 20-point lead, but the Eagles kept pushing forward and found Farrow on two separate occasions with two set shots at goal for two minor scores. Defender Jaiden Fisher-Cooley found Farrow on a lead with a long raking drop punt as Farrow booted his fifth major, but the Tigers answered moments later and as the game faded Brayden Butler kicked the Eagles’ last major before the final siren as the Tigers held onto a 14-point victory.
Onballer Jake Bearman is having a great season and continued his great form after missing with an ankle injury in the previous round. Coach Josh Farrow is a great leader and did all he could do over four quarters. Jye County was classy and big Blake Mayne was a focal point up forward and around the ground. Mitchell Hay was good on his wing and Tyson Eiszele was busy throughout the game and bagged three great goals.
The Eagles’ next encounter is against the Lindisfarne Two Blues who have had an indifferent start to the season. The Eagles must see themselves as a chance to upset the Two Blues who they have not beaten for some time. Can the Eagles turn their season around and beat up the Blues? Let’s see what the next round brings, whichever
way it goes it should be a super contest at Boyer Oval on Saturday.
Final Scores
New Norfolk 15.15 (105)
Hobart 17.17 (119)
Best – New Norfolk: Jake Bearman, Josh Farrow, Jye County, Blake Mayne, Mitchell Hay, Tyson Eiszele; Hobart: O. Warmbrunn, E. Shaw, N. Shaw, N. Howard, J, Careless, R. Ferguson.
Goals – New Norfolk: J. Farrow 5, T. Eiszele 3, J. County 2, Jake Bearman, T. Bailey, Blake Mayne, B. Butler, J. Clifford; Hobart: J. Sansom 4, L. Dare 3, E. Shaw 2, Z. Griggs 2, C. Warmbrunn, D. Pulford, N. Shaw, J. Bricknell, W. Forrest, O. Warmbrunn.
RESERVES REPORT – WAYNE WALKER
The Hobart Tigers had more run in their legs over four quarters than the New Norfolk Eagles to record a 29-point victory at the TCA last Saturday. This was the biggest winning margin for some time between the two sides after many close encounters over the last few seasons.
The Eagles were still missing some key midfield personnel with Jack Evans and Nathan Eyles (both suspended) and veteran Andrew Minchin (injured) which is a big loss for the Eagles to gain midfield dominance.
After an even first term with the Eagles holding onto a two-point lead, the Tigers skipped away in the second term to take a ten-point lead into the main break. After half time both sides battled it out in what was a fairly even contest, but the Eagles could not bridge the gap on the scoreboard and score consecutive goals.
Before the match, coach Corey Ransley pointed out how tight the Reserves competition is and told his chargers that if they can string a few victories together a spot in the top five could be a possibility and the side could work toward a finals appearance for the first time in a number of seasons. Hopefully the Eagles can get together on the training track and make an impact in coming weeks.
The in-form Bailey Wheeler continues to dominate for the Eagles and is certainly in career best form along with his brother Zac who is also getting plenty of the footy. Ruckman Tyron Triffett has benefited from a few runs in the Seniors and looks like he is at home in the ruck and contributing all around the ground. Tyler Purdon has been consistent both forward and back and Jake Campbell is a great target in attack and looks to be hitting form. Liam Lowe is working his way into the contest after a late start to season 2026.
Final Scores
New Norfolk 6.9 (45)
Hobart 10.14 (74)
Best -New Norfolk: B. Wheeler, Z. Wheeler, T. Triffett, T. Purdon, J. Campbell, L. Lowe; Hobart: N. Pulford, T. Cosgrove, A. Gill, A. Xintavelonis, H. Brookwell, T. Rackett.
Goals – New Norfolk: R. Heron 2, C. Ransley, Z. Wheeler, B. Wheeler, J. Campbell; Hobart: T. Cosgrove 3, Z. Lambrakis 2, T. Maughan, A. Xintavelonis, A. Gill, C. Leek, N. Wright.
NEXT GAMES
Saturday, May 30 at Boyer Oval
Women v Hutchins at 10am
Reserves v Lindisfarne at noon
Seniors v Lindisfarne at 2pm
New Norfolk and Derwent Valley News is a sponsor of the New Norfolk District Football Club.
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