SFL season drawing to a close

SFL RESULTS, ROUND 17
By Gary Williamson

Cygnet v New Norfolk
NEW Norfolk continued its winning form by defeating a gallant Cygnet by 87 points, 19.14 (128) to 6.5 (41) to grab a strangle-hold on top spot on the ladder and a home final advantage. The first term saw the visitors really dominate the game but waste shots at goal as they only led by 12 points. The second term was a scrappy affair. The Port had plenty of numbers behind the football but the Eagles managed five goals and moved to a match-winning lead of 39 points at the main break.

The second half saw New Norfolk cruise away kicking 11 goals to three but they could not quite bury the spirited Cygnet who were desperate not to lose too many percentage points as they battle for a spot in the finals. Best players for the winners were plenty with Thompson who had another outstanding game and finished with 11 goals and moved to five for the century for the season and he was well supported by Horne, Moles and Wardlaw as they are now looking forward to the qualifying final at home. Best players for a disappointing Cygnet were Clark, Swards, Doyle and Julian Direen as they now have battle on their hands to secure a finals berth after Brighton’s surprise win.

Central Hawks v Kingborough
KINGBOROUGH moved up to third on the ladder after thrashing a lacklustre Central Hawks to record a percentage-boosting win away from home by a massive a 177 points, 33.11 (209) to 5.2 (32). Kingborough opened the game at a fast pace, kicking seven first-term gaols as they cruised to a lead of 31 points and looked set for a big win. The undermanned Hawks lacked the class and skill to match their highly rated opponents. The second term saw the Tigers explode away, slamming on 11 goals to kill off the game at half time as they lead by 87 points and only the margin was in question as they looked determined to really get some percentage boost to lock up the all important third on the ladder. The third term proved even more one-sided as Kingborough kicked a further 13 goals and looked set for a record win but the weather set in the last term and they were only able to kick one more goal while still playing impressive football as the Hawks seem certain to remain without a win for the 2012 season. Better players for a weakened Hawks were Horne, Nibbs and McWilliams.   

Brighton  v Dodges Ferry
BRIGHTON just about secured themselves sixth spot on the ladder and a finals berth after overcoming a determined fourth-placed Dodges Ferry at home, eventually winning by 15 points, 11.12(78) to 9.9 (63). The first term as expected was a real battle as both sides played hard contested football as the home side grabbed a narrow three-point lead but nothing separated two desperate teams battling for a finals berth. The second term saw Brighton really lift their work rate and they started to win the clearances and moved to a handy 11-point lead at the main break and should have led by more except for inaccurate kicking for goal. The third term saw the Sharks really throw everything at the Robins to try and reduce the lead however Brighton always seemed to kick a steadying goal as they held firm in defence to record their best win of the season and have a nervous wait to hang onto sixth spot on the ladder whilst Dodges Ferry should get a home final with a win this weekend. Best players for the impressive winners were Howlett, Cowen, Delaney and Willing whilst key forward martin kicked three valuable goals.

Claremont v Sorell
CLAREMONT hung on at home to defeat a determined Sorell and moved to fourth on the ladder with an important home final in reach eventually winning by 25 points, 17.10 (112) to 13.9 (87). The first term saw the Magpies kick the first three goals as they looked in total control however Sorell really rallied late and only trailed by nine points a the first change.  The second term again was fairly even but Claremont capitalised on the Eagles' errors as they skipped away to a handy 15 point lead and looked in control of the game. Claremont really asserted their influence on the game with five third term goals and moved to a 36 point lead and looked set for a big win but full credit to Sorell who never gave up and outscored their more fancied rivals in the last term to put up a respectable performance as Claremont would be very disappointed in their finish. Best players for the winners Bennett, Curtain with four goals along with Rosewell, Daley and Barwick, as they now need to win this weekend to be a big threat in the finals.

East Coast v Lindisfarne
LINDISFARNE continued its good recent form by thrashing a very disappointing East Coast away from home by 115 points.