THE Eagles let a golden opportunity slip from their grip after leading the Hobart Tigers by 47 points at three-quarter time at Boyer Oval on Saturday. The Tigers stormed home, booting eight goals in the last term to snatch a draw.
The Eagles were the better side for three quarters, but the momentum shifted at the start of the last term as the Tigers kept running with a stack of forward entries while the Eagles struggled to transition the footy past the centre of the big Boyer Oval.
Former Geelong and Brisbane Lions AFL star and now Hobart playing coach Allen Christensen received a free kick for a high tackle in the dying minutes to kick the goal to level the scores in a tense finish to a hard-fought contest in perfect conditions.
The Eagles went into the contest without regular Senior players Tyron Bailey and Nathan Eiszele (both suspended) while the experienced Jacob Wigg and youngster Liam Lowe came into the side for the big clash. For the third time this season, two of the best ruckman in the SFL went head-to-head for the start of the contest with Eagle star recruit Caleb Mayne tangling with tall Tiger Noah Mead.
Eagle defender Jordan Eiszele picked up Christensen, while Tiger defender Noah Howard picked up Eagle full-forward Blake Mayne, and Eagle centreman Ryan Wakefield lined up at the centre bounce next to Tiger vice-captain Cooper Warmbrunn.
Eagle coach Josh Farrow opened their account, booting the home side’s first goal from a set shot at the dressing room end of the ground. From the centre bounce, Eagle ruckman Caleb Mayne palmed the Sherrin to Eagle speedster Jye Bearman who passed to Jacob Wigg for the Eagles’ second major. The Eagles looked dangerous and continued to enter their forward 50, finding Jacob Wigg who was on fire early in the contest as he bagged the next two goals in succession.
Mobile Tiger Ethan Monks put the Tigers on the scoreboard late in the quarter and they followed up with
another goal before the quarter-time siren to trail by nine points at the first break: New Norfolk 4.2 9 (26) to Hobart 2.5 (17).
The Eagles were running hot early in the second term as Blake Mayne found Farrow deep in the goal square and he popped through the Eagles’ fifth major. The big Eagle playing coach figured prominently once again moments later receiving a free kick not far from the big sticks and slammed through another goal. The home side was winning the contested ball with Jake and Jye Bearman, Jake Foster and Ryan Wakefield on top of the Tiger group of Angus Cracknell, Cayden Bosworth and Cooper Warmbrunn in and around the centre.
Eagle coach Josh Farrow wrapped up his opponent in a magnificent tackle at centre half forward receiving a free kick as he quickly played on booting his third goal for the quarter. Mobile Tiger Winston Forest answered with a
badly-needed goal for the visitors as the Eagles held a 20-point lead at the 12-minute mark (7.2 to 3.6).
The Tigers gave away two 50m penalties which brought big Eagle Caleb Mayne 10m out dead in front for another major for the Eagles. The Eagles continued their charge forward with two minor scores but just before the half-time break Blake Mayne gathered the footy low to the ground and snapped a great goal around his body in a quarter where the Eagles dominated play taking a 37-point lead into the half-time break: New Norfolk 9.8 (62) to Hobart 3.7 (25).
Eagle veteran Josh Clifford found the footy early in the third term and passed to Jye Lester who had gut run from half back to half forward booting a great goal. The Eagles once again looked in control with Riley Triffett passing to Farrow on a lead for another major followed by another from the next centre clearance to tough onballer Jake Foster who steered through another six pointer from a set shot 40m out as the Eagles took a commanding 54-point lead (80 to 26).
The Tigers hit back with three badly needed goals to keep in touch but soon after goals to Farrow and Clifford steadied the ship for the home side giving them a 47-point break which looked like a match-winning lead at three-quarter time: New Norfolk 14.10 (94) to Hobart 6.11 (47).
The Eagles looked to be home with a commanding lead. However, the Tigers had other ideas, moving tall Noah Mead deep forward next to Tiger full-forward Harry Van Kraanen who both looked very dangerous close to goal as the Tigers booted the next five goals and momentum shifted back to the visitors. The Eagles struggled to transition into the forward 50 but finally found Jacob Wigg at half-forward who kicked a much-needed goal.
Tiger forward Harry Van Kraanen kicked the next two vital goals and by the 20-minute mark the Tigers were just seven points behind. The Eagle defence was stacked with virtually every New Norfolk player in the Hobart forward half as the home side was under tremendous pressure. Tiger coach Allen Christensen gathered the footy from a huge pack of players and had a quick snap at goal, hitting the post which brought the margin to six points in the Eagles’ favour (15.11 to 13.17).
Unfortunately for the Eagles, the Tigers kept their foot on the pedal and after a number of stoppages Christensen bobbed up once again receiving a free kick for a high tackle and kicked a goal to level the scores. From the centre bounce with only seconds to go, the Eagles moved the footy to half-forward but the siren sounded as the game slipped from the Eagles’ grasp.
The Tigers were relieved to just get there and grab the two premiership points which may come in handy at the pointy end of the season. Young Eagle Mikel Blundell put in another great game in defence and what a great
season he is having. Jacob Wigg turned in a terrific game with four goals.
Caleb Mayne put in another massive performance in the ruck along with his brother Blake across half-forward. Jye Lester had another great gut running game and was an important linkman throughout the game and coach Farrow was his usual outstanding self, booting six goals.
While the final result was disappointing for the Eagles, they showed in the first three quarters that their best is very much a match winning brand of football. Recently reappointed coach Josh Farrow would be very pleased with what he saw and it all bodes well for season 2027.
Credit to both clubs as the contest was one of the best games seen at Boyer Oval for some time. The Eagles’ next encounter is at Anzac Park against the Lindisfarne Two Blues who will be out to bounce back after the Eagles defeated them in round eight.
– WAYNE WALKER
Final Scores
New Norfolk 15.11 (101)
Hobart 14.17 (101)
Best – New Norfolk: Jacob Wigg, Mikel Blundell, Caleb Mayne, Jye Lester, Josh Farrow, Blake Mayne; Hobart: W. Forest, W. Gergel, J. Butler, N. Shaw, E. Shaw, H. Van Kraanen.
Goals – New Norfolk: J. Farrow 6, J. Wigg 4, Blake Mayne, Caleb Mayne, J. Foster, J. Lester, J. Clifford; Hobart: H. Van Kraanen 4, W. Forest 3, C. Bosworth 2, N. Mead, E. Monks, R. Ferguson, L. Dare, A. Christensen.
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One Response
Great game of footy that one! Good turnout of supporters too.