The Lady Eagles were on their home turf at Boyer Oval on Saturday against the Huonville Lions following a hard fought eight-point win over University in Round 10. New Norfolk was keen to consolidate fourth position on the SFLW Community League ladder ahead of University in fifth position but were missing Tiarna Ford from their normal line up.
The Eagles began a new tradition playing internally for the Blair Hepburn Memorial. This memorial was initiated by the Hepburn family in honour of their late son Blair and will be played for by the Lady Eagles each year around July 4. The memorial consists of a perpetual shield to be displayed in the Eagle Bar and a medal presented to the best New Norfolk player on the day.
The Hepburn family graciously donates the shield and medal. Playing coach Zoie Crawford was the honoured
recipient of this year’s medal and shield. The Hepburns have been huge supporters of the Lady Eagles this year, with Alison supplying game day awards and Nate and Adrian helping as runners, water carriers and wherever needed and of course Lady Eagle Jordynn Hepburn is killing it on the field.
Play began at 9.30am in windy and cold conditions with the ground slippery underfoot. The first quarter was a real struggle for both sides as they found it difficult to do any damage on the scoreboard. Both back lines were under intense pressure with the only score for the quarter being a single behind to the Eagles. Quarter time scores: New Norfolk 0.1 (1) to Huonville 0.0 (0).
The second quarter saw the Eagles increase the pressure on their opponents and continue to attack for long periods of play. The Lions were playing a loose player in defence to stifle the Eagles’ forwards from impacting the scoreboard. Despite this, New Norfolk began to get on top, scoring three goals and four behinds for the
quarter to take a handy 23-point lead into the main break. The Eagle defence was well on top of the opposition, holding Huonville scoreless for the first half: New Norfolk 3.5 (23) to Huonville 0.0 (0).
The third quarter opened with the Eagles again attacking consistently, but Huonville continued to flood the backline to restrict the Eagle forwards from scoring. Against consistent pressure, the Eagles managed to score a goal and a behind to increase their lead to 30 points at three quarter time. Again, the strong New Norfolk defence, led by Sharny Grimsey, Maddison Robertson and Amber Rainbird, kept Huonville scoreless in the third quarter: New Norfolk 4.6 (30) to Huonville 0.0 (0).
The final quarter was another arm wrestle as Huonville continued to flood their backline, making it difficult for the Eagles to score. Under pressure they managed another three behinds to increase the final margin to 33 points. The Eagle defence was again well on top as they kept Huonville scoreless for the entire match.
Eagle coach Zoie Crawford was inspirational, bobbing up in defence when required as well as scoring a great goal and providing goal assists as required. She was well supported by Sharny Grimsey, Maddison Robertson and Amber Rainbird in defence. Chloe Ford and Sophie Farrow were strong around the ground and Madison Shaw and Tyler Hepburn contributed on the scoreboard.
Coach Crawford had this to say after the match: “In a highly contested game between fourth and sixth our girls controlled the majority of the contest keeping Huonville scoreless all day. Around the ground ball movement and defensive pressure were excellent but we were unable to capitalise in front of goal, kicking four goals and nine
behinds. It is pleasing that we are creating chances and we are really starting to gel as a team which we will look to build on coming in to the back end of the season.”
Final Scores
New Norfolk 4.9 (33)
Huonville 0.0 (0)
Best – New Norfolk: Sharny Grimsey, Maddison Robertson, Chloe Ford, Sophie Farrow, Amber Rainbird, Madison Shaw; Huonville: A. Lawson, M. Lamprill, A. Lovell, A. Stanway, N. Vincent, C. Griggs.
Goals – New Norfolk: Zoie Crawford, Tyla Hepburn, Chloe Ford, Madison Shaw.
NEXT GAMES
Saturday, July 11: All teams have a bye.
Saturday, July 18, Boyer Oval
Women v Hobart at 10am
Reserves v Hobart at noon
Seniors v Hobart at 2pm
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