THE New Norfolk Eagles struggled to match the Lindisfarne Two Blues’ run and carry over four quarters at Anzac Park on a cool afternoon last Saturday. A promising first quarter by the Eagles, with some missed opportunities in front of goals which could have resulted in a handy lead at quarter time, could not be maintained for the rest of the match.
The Eagles went into the contest missing key players Tyron Bailey (suspended), Blake Mayne (ill), Jye Lester (injured), Bailey Mayne (ill), and Jacob Wigg (unavailable). They elevated defender Wade Lockley, Ryan Bartels, Tyler Purdon and Nathan Eiszele.
The Eagle midfield crew of Jake and Jye Bearman and Ryan Wakefield lined up on Lindisfarne’s Sheldon Smith, Ryan Stocks and Kurt Cole. Eagle ruck Caleb Mayne tangled with Two Blue ruck big Blake Jones, and Eagle defender Mikel Blundell lined up on Lindisfarne goal ace Ed Stanley.
Early in the first term, Tyler Purdon clutched a great one-handed mark and passed to a leading Josh Farrow who marked and goaled. The Two Blues answered through veteran forward Ollie Rand marking at centre half forward and kicking truly.
The Eagles went forward once again and Ryan Wakefield was awarded a free kick at half-forward to put through the Eagles’ second major. The visitors had a few more shots at the big sticks which resulted in minor scores which could have given the visitors an early break if they were more accurate.
The Two Blues were double-teaming Eagle playing coach Josh Farrow at full-forward to try and stop “the big fella’s” great overhead marking ability. Star Eagle veteran Josh Clifford was involved in a heavy clash with an opponent half way through the quarter and was visibly shaken and had to leave the field. Quarter-time scores were New Norfolk 2.6 (18) to Lindisfarne 1.2 (8).
The Two Blues bagged two goals early in the second term from some sloppy kicking errors in defence by New Norfolk. Tough Eagle onballer Jake Foster suffered a groin injury which was another blow for the Eagles, leaving them with only two players on the bench.
As the quarter rolled on, the home side’s midfield, along with Ed Stanley and Paddy Bourke up forward, got on top and were influential creating a number of scoring opportunities and putting the Eagle defence under pressure as they banged on eight goals for the term. The Eagles managed only two majors from Josh Farrow which had the visitors trailing by 26 points at the main break: Lindisfarne 9.3 (57) to New Norfolk 4.7 (31).
The third term was an even affair with the Eagles lifting their pressure rating and applying a number of holding the ball decisions which were unrewarded. The Two Blues booted five goals in the quarter but the Eagles matched their opposition and stopped the momentum the home team had enjoyed in the second term with goals to Purdon, Jake Bearman and two to Farrow to see them trail by 34 points at three-quarter time: Lindisfarne 14.7 (91) to New Norfolk 8.9 (57).
The Eagles received another major setback with defender Wade Lockley suffering a head knock and taking no further part in the contest. This left them with only one interchange player and the Two Blues took over in the last term, booting eight goals to the visitors’ four, to record a comfortable 63-point victory.
Two Blues goal kicking machine Ed Stanley was a handful for the Eagle defence with 10 goals to his name. It was evident that the Eagles badly missed reliable defender Jye Lester which unsettled the backline structure. Classy fast running defender Rowan Thomason played a great game and really has had a great season.
Coach Josh Farrow was once again brilliant with seven goals. Caleb Mayne was his ever-reliable self in the ruck and worked hard all over the ground. Ryan Wakefield had many possessions and was great by hand and foot. Jake and Jye Bearman worked hard throughout the contest and there are those magic moments where they look and find each other in a chain of play which is a feature of their game.
The Eagles face another tough test next week against the Huonville Lions who will be sharpening their claws leading into the finals. Can the Eagles upset the Lions at the big Boyer Oval in the next round? Let’s wait and see.
Final Scores
New Norfolk 12.9 (81)
Lindisfarne 22.12 (144)
Best – New Norfolk: Josh Farrow, Caleb Mayne, Jye Bearman, Rowan Thomason, Ryan Wakefield, Jake Bearman; Lindisfarne: P. Bourke, E. Stanley, B. Jones, S. Smith, L. Paton.
Goals – New Norfolk: J. Farrow 7, Caleb Mayne 2, Jake Bearman, R. Wakefield; Lindisfarne: E. Stanley 10, A. Sharp 2, T. Westbury 2, M. Paolini 2, O. Rand, J. McPherson, P. Bourke, T. Carter-Roach. C. Chatterton, T. Mitchell.
NEXT GAMES
Saturday 1st August
Eagle Women v University at University Oval at 9.45am
Reserves v Huonville at Boyer Oval at noon
Seniors v Huonville at Boyer Oval at 2pm
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