AFTER a promising first half of pressure football, the New Norfolk Eagles were run over by the reigning SFL Community League premiers, the Huonville Lions, who put their foot on the gas with an 11-goal last half to run out 53-point victors on a sunny winter’s day in perfect conditions at the Boyer Oval on Saturday. SEE THE PHOTO GALLERY
The Eagles matched their southern rivals in every facet of the contest in quarters one and two, but failed to gain any flow or momentum in the remaining two quarters. The Eagles went into the contest without veteran Josh Clifford, Jake Foster and Nathan Eiszele (all injured) along with Tyler Benson unavailable. They brought in star high flyer Tyron Bailey (back from suspension), Torne Tangata after a long layoff through work commitments, and Jye Lester and Blake Mayne (returning from injury).
The Eagles were switched on early with Tyron Bailey finding Jordan Eiszele on a lead who marked and goaled. The Eagles followed up with half forward Mitch Jones passing to full forward Josh Farrow who took a great overhead grab for the Eagles’ second major. From the next centre bounce contest, Lion midfielder Ethan Brock got off the
chain running through the centre of the big, beautiful Boyer Oval to bag t e Lions first goal.
The Eagles answered through classy midfielder Ryan Wakefield who passed to Farrow who put through his second for the term. Eagle defender Tyler Purdon was handy in defence with some great spoils and rebounds from defence while Jordan Eiszele looked dangerous across half forward. Quarter time scores were New Norfolk 3.0 (18) to Huonville 1.3 (9).
Early in the second term the Eagles had the footy in their forward half on a number of occasions but could not make the most of their opportunities. After seven minutes of play the Lions started to gain momentum and with goals to Tom Wright and key forward Daniel Golding the Lions hit the front by three points at the 12-minute mark. The Lions bagged another goal moments later from a costly Eagle turnover which ended up in the hands of Lion forward Austin Heald for another major.
The Eagles bounced back through Tyron Bailey who received a free kick at centre half forward and sent the Sherrin through the big sticks from 50 metres out for a great goal. The Lions pushed forward for the next goal but in the next stage of play Eagle Jordan Eiszele fed out a great handpass to the running Jye Bearman who slammed through the Eagles’ fifth goal. At half time the scores were Huonville 7.7 (49) to New Norfolk 5.4 (34).
The game looked like it was in the balance at half-time and heading for what looked like a great contest. However, the Lions had other ideas taking over in the third term, bagging six goals for the quarter with a good spread of goalkickers while the Eagles booted three to trail by 31 points at the three-quarter time break: Huonville 13.7 (85) to New Norfolk 8.6 (54).
The Lions continued their dominance in the last term with Ethan Brock and Riley Thorpe McCulloch instrumental in many of the Lions’ forward entries along with big forward Daniel Golding who was hard to contain in front of goal. The Eagle coaching staff made a number of positional changes throughout the last half, but the Lions were just too strong up forward with many players converting in front of goals to run out comfortable 53-point winners and looking ahead to another finals campaign.
Best for the Eagles were coach Josh Farrow with five goals. Ruckman Caleb Mayne worked tirelessly in the ruck against Rhys and Liam Ward. Jake Bearman once again racked up possessions and continues to build on his great season along with Jye Lester, Rowan Thomason and Tyron Bailey who all performed well throughout the contest.
The Eagles’ next challenge is against SFL powerhouse Port Cygnet and I’m sure the Eagles would like to make amends for their heavy defeat back in round nine and take it up to a well drilled side at Boyer next Saturday.
Final Scores
New Norfolk 10.8 (68)
Huonville 18.13 (121)
Best – New Norfolk: Josh Farrow, Caleb Mayne, Jake Bearman, Jye Lester, Rowan
Thomason, Tyron Bailey. Huonville: R. Thorp McCulloch, E. Brock, D. Golding, R. Brock, T. Clark, B. Blake.
Goals – New Norfolk: J. Farrow 5, T. Bailey 2, J. Eiszele, Jye Bearman, M. Hay. Huonville: D. Golding 7, T. Wright 3, R. Thorp McCulloch, E. Brock, L. Ward, A. Heald, R. Brock, B. Jacobson, J. Richards, B. Harris.
RESERVES REPORT – WAYNE WALKER
Eagles continue to improve
THE Eagle Reserve squad has continued to narrow the gap in past weeks with a number of encouraging performances against potential final contenders which shows general improvement in season 2026. One can only wonder if there was more action on the training track the Eagles may have found themselves with a finals spot for the first time in a number of seasons. SEE THE PHOTO GALLERY
The Eagles started well once again leading by six points at quarter time but found themselves trailing by seventeen points at the half-time break but still well in the contest. Forwards Corey Ransley and Rohan Heron looked dangerous for the Eagles. Up the other end of the ground SFL veteran and Senior Premiership player Michael Paul returned for the Lions after a long overseas trip and came to life late in the game, bagging a few goals to get the visitors home for the win.
Versatile utility Zac Wheeler played another great game and was busy for four quarters with a number of clearances from the centre bounce contests and gained many grabs around the ground. Tough onballer Jack Evans was also going in for the hard ball as he always does. Bailey Wheeler has been magnificent every game this year for the Eagles and continued his high level of consistency.
Rohan Heron added his valuable experience and on field leadership, bagging three goals. Hayden Smith did some handy things and Ben Barker, who has been out from injury since round one, did a great job at full back on Michael Paul keeping him to just four goals with two coming very late in the contest.
Final Scores
New Norfolk 9.4 (58)
Huonville 12.8 (80)
Best – New Norfolk: Z. Wheeler, J. Evans, B. Wheeler, R. Heron, H. Smith, B. Barker. Huonville: N. Denny, A. Cullen, A. Crowe, C. Burgess, T. Hickey, T. Henricks.
Goals – New Norfolk: C. Ransley 4, R. Heron 3, B. Wheeler, J. Evans. Huonville: M. Paul 4, C. Burgess 3, B. Guy 2, A. Geeves, A. Cullen, B. Bester.
NEXT GAMES
Saturday, August 8
Women v Claremont at Abbotsfield Park at 3.30pm
Reserves v Cygnet at Boyer Oval at noon
Seniors v Cygnet at Boyer Oval at 2pm.
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