THE Lady Eagles travelled to Anzac Park last Saturday for the Round 13 encounter with Lindisfarne. Following a strong 33-point victory over Huonville and massive 120-point win over Hobart in their previous two games, the Eagles were looking to add to their winning ways as they prepare for finals football.
RELATED REPORT: EAGLES GROUNDED BY TWO BLUES AT ANZAC PARK
New Norfolk welcomed the return of Sharna Thompson for her first game this season following basketball commitments. Play began at 10am in cool conditions with the ground slippery under foot. The first quarter saw the Eagles dominate play with the ball spending long periods in their forward 50. Inaccuracy saw them score
three goals and four behinds while their strong defence held Lindisfarne scoreless. Quarter-time scores: New Norfolk 3.4 (22) to Lindisfarne 0.0 (0).
The second quarter was more of the same as the Eagles piled on another three goals and three behinds while their strong defence led by Sidonie Skelly and Maddison Robertson held Lindisfarne to a single behind. Sharna Thompson was playing well and Eagle forwards Tiarna Ford, Maddi Shaw and Ellie Henricks were keeping
their opponents on their toes. The Eagles held a strong 48-point lead at the main break: New Norfolk 7.7 (49) to Lindisfarne 0.1 (1).
The third quarter was a much more even affair as the Eagles added another three goals and three behinds while Lindisfarne scored a single goal to keep the margin at three quarter time to 53 points. Sharna Thompson was continuing her blistering form and Tiarna Ford was keeping the scoreboard ticking over for the Eagles. Three-quarter time scores: New Norfolk 10.10 (70) to Lindisfarne 1.1 (7).
The final quarter was even, with both sides kicking two goals as the Eagles were content to coast to the line with finals football fast approaching. It was a good team effort. Sharna Thompson was prominent in her first game back, scoring two goals. Forwards Tiarna Ford (5 goals) , Maddi Shaw (2 goals) and Ellie Henricks (2 goals) were well on top, and the defence was a solid unit all game.
The Lady Eagles are now firmly entrenched in fourth place on the ladder. They are on the road again this weekend to University Oval to tangle with fifth-placed University. Their last encounter resulted in a tough eight-point victory to the Eagles at Boyer Oval, so we can expect another tough encounter on University’s home track, but the Eagles are playing some great football ando will no doubt be very competitive again.
– CHRIS LOVELL
Final Scores
New Norfolk 12.12 (84)
Lindisfarne 3.2 (20)
Best – New Norfolk: Sharna Thompson, Sidonie Skelly, Maddison Robertson, Tiarna Ford, Ellie Henricks, Ruby Rainbird; Lindisfarne: T. Pulbrook, C. Henley, T. Honey, A. Gibson, A. Anning, C. Walker.
Goals – New Norfolk: Tiarna Ford 5, Madison Shaw 2, Ellie Henricks 2, Sharna Thompson 2, Jordynn Hepburn; Lindisfarne: B. McDonald, A. Gibson.
RESERVES REPORT – Wayne Walker
Unlucky Eagles fall short
YOU just had the feeling that the New Norfolk Reserves side were unlucky in defeat against the Lindisfarne Two Blues last Saturday at Anzac Park. They outplayed the opposition for three quarters with a bare 18 players taking the field with our head trainer Brett Rothwell serving as our only interchange player and pulling on the jumper to help out the Reserves lads.
The Eagles were overrun in the last term and went down by only seven points in what was a gutsy effort by the side which was also missing some regular players who were elevated to fill gaps in the Senior side. The Eagles had a three-point lead at three-quarter time and were pipped just before the final siren sounded in a four goal to three goal final term.
Even though it was a loss, there were a number of positives for the Eagles with young guns Ruben Strong, Kobe Strong, Bobby Nossiter and Kayden Cunningham all performing well for the club. The Eagles had a key focal point in front of goals with coach Corey Ransley bagging eight goals. He was well supported by the Wheeler
brothers Bailey and Zac who are in great form along with Jack Evans who gave his all in the engine room for the Eagles.
Veteran Rohan Heron added his experience and footy smarts to the contest. It was good to see Nick Ransley on the park having some important touches throughout the game and kicking two goals. Coach Ransley said in his post-match address that he could not ask any more of the guys who put in a great effort considering the team was so undermanned.
Final Scores
New Norfolk 13.4 (82)
Lindisfarne 13.11 (89)
Best – New Norfolk: J. Evans, B. Wheeler, R. Heron, C. Ransley, Z. Wheeler, T. Bradford; Lindisfarne: R. Stocks, R. Martin, E. Bailey, D. Bailey, C. Broughan, L. Freeman.
Goals – New Norfolk: C. Ransley 8, R. Heron 2, N. Ransley 2, Z. Wheeler; Lindisfarne: N. Cranfield 6, E. Bailey 3, R. Stocks 2, A. Clarke, J. Heffernan, T. Lindell.
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
New Norfolk and Derwent Valley News is a sponsor of the New Norfolk District Football Club.
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