THE Eagle Reserves were on the back foot from the start of the contest and were unable to get any flow into their play while the Lindisfarne Two Blues were too slick with their ball movement, which resulted in a number of forward opportunities for a comfortable 61-point victory at Boyer Oval last Saturday.
The Eagles went into the contest without four important players to their overall structure with Bailey Wheeler, Zachary Wheeler, Tyler Purdon (all unavailable) along with youngster Bobby Nossiter (injured).
The Eagles were never really in the contest, trailing at every change while the Two Blues had the edge in fitness and talent to record a strong win. Veteran Two Blue Daniel Blazely was a headache for the Eagles dominating around the ground, giving his forwards good supply throughout the match.
The Eagles lacked midfield power and speed out of the centre which limits any quick ball movement to their key forwards which enables scoreboard pressure on their opponents. However, there are always some positives and some encouraging efforts from a disappointing performance.
Club veteran Rohan Heron tried hard all day and presented in attack even though the delivery was average. Playing coach Corey Ransley tried to lift his charges playing up forward, in defence and around the ground. Jack Evans was hard at the ball and never gave in. Hayden Davis played well and was busy in attack. Tough defender Tobias Bradford turned back numerous Two Blue forward entries. Tyron Triffett won the ruck battle, but the Eagles could not take advantage of his tap work at centre bounce and stoppages.
WAYNE WALKER
Final Scores
New Norfolk 4.4 (28)
Lindisfarne 13.11 (89)
Best – New Norfolk: R. Heron, C. Ransley, J. Evans, H. Davis, T. Triffett, T. Bradford; Lindisfarne: T. Lindell, D. Blazely, A. Clarke, P. Burke, L. Freeman, D. Lashmar.
Goals – New Norfolk: C. Ransley 2, R. Heron, B. Triffett; Lindisfarne: H. Mohamad 3, R. Martin 2, D. Scott 2, L. Freeman 2, D. Lashmar 2, N. Cranfield, A. Willing.
WOMEN’S REPORT – CHRIS LOVELL
THE Lady Eagles suffered their second loss for the season last Saturday, playing last year’s grand finalists Hutchins at the Boyer Oval. The Eagles were coming off a bruising 31-point victory over Lindisfarne the week before and knew they would be in for another tough physical game against the second placed Hutchins outfit to potentially take second place on the SFLW Community ladder.
Play began at 10am in cool and sunny conditions. The dew on the ground was making it hard to hold marks. The Lady Eagles kicked to the pine tree end of the ground and were immediately disadvantaged as key defender Siobahn Smith rolled her ankle in the first minute of play and did not return to the field for the remainder of the match.
Hutchins immediately put the Lady Eagles under pressure with their first goal at the two-minute mark of the quarter. The Lady Eagles defence was under severe pressure as Hutchins scored their second goal at the five-minute mark. It took until the seven-minute mark of the quarter for the Eagles to enter their forward fifty through Ellie Henricks, but they were unable to score.
The Hutchins forwards were flooding the backline and congesting the Lady Eagles forward line then rebounding with pace into their forward line. They scored their third goal at the sixteen-minute mark to slip out to a good twenty-point lead before the Eagles managed a behind on the siren to reduce the deficit to 19 points at quarter-time: New Norfolk 0.1 (1) to Hutchins 3.2 (20).
The second quarter was a repeat of the first as Hutchins were applying plenty of pressure on the Eagles backs and congesting their forward line making scoring difficult. Hutchins scored goals at the six- and 17-minute marks of the quarter. The Eagles could only manage one goal as Madison Shaw marked and goaled at the nine-minute mark of the quarter. The home side could only score another behind for the quarter to trail Hutchins by 25 points at half-time: New Norfolk 1.2 (8) to Hutchins 5.3 (33).
The Eagles came out full of running after the main break and had the ball constantly in attack for the first two minutes. Unfortunately, they were unable to score but were playing much better than the first two quarters. Maddison Robertson was playing well as the Eagles backs were holding the Hutchins forwards and not allowing any goals. Hutchins scored five behinds for the quarter but were under constant pressure from the Eagles. Unfortunately, the Eagles were unable to add to their half time score, although they were playing much better to trail by 30 points at three-quarter time: New Norfolk 1.2 (8) to Hutchins 5.8 (38).
The final quarter saw Hutchins physically out muscle the Eagles as they scored goals at the two-, 11- and 15-minute marks of the quarter. They held the Eagles scoreless in the second half to run out convincing 52-point winners. Hutchins play a physical hard running game which overpowered the Lady Eagles. Hard workers for the Eagles were coach Zoie Crawford, Sophie Farrow, Maddison Robertson, Hayley and Ruby Rainbird, Ellie Henricks, Jordynn Hepburn and Chloe Ford.
The Eagles now have a week off before preparing for another very tough game against The Port Women at Cygnet on the 13 th of June. The Port Women played a great game against the undefeated Claremont Magpies last week, leading for most of the game before losing by two points courtesy of a Magpie goal in the dying minutes. The last time the two teams met the Eagles scored a hard fought 14-point victory on the Boyer Oval, so we can look forward to another tight tussle.
Final Scores
New Norfolk 1.2 (8)
Hutchins 8.12 (60)
Best – New Norfolk: Sophie Farrow, Maddison Robertson, Jordynn Hepburn, Chloe Ford, Amber Rainbird, Ruby Rainbird; Hutchins: B. Miller, M. Crosby, U. Nation, S. Botterill-James, A. Allanby, N. Terry.
Goals – New Norfolk: Madison Shaw; Hutchins: M. Crosby 5, S. Boterill-James, B. Miller, M. Giles.
NEXT GAMES
Saturday, June 13 at Cygnet
Women v The Port at 11am
Reserves v Cygnet at 1pm
Seniors v Cygnet at 3pm
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