New Norfolk v Brighton at Boyer Oval
ALMOST 3000 people witnessed former AFL star Brendan Fevola kick 16 goals and take a spectacular mark as he helped steer New Norfolk to their 10th victory of the SFL season with a 176-point win against Brighton at Boyer Oval. The dual Coleman Medallist was making his second appearance for the Eagles after writing his name into the record books last season when he booted 18 goals.
There was an air of excitement around the ground well before the senior game started as the Derwent Valley community spilled through the gates. The former Carlton and Brisbane Lions spearhead didn't take long to open his account - just 90 seconds into the game he received a free kick and then kicked truly. He went on to kick seven for the quarter, which had everyone at the ground talking records.
Fevola managed six goals in the second stanza including a freakish one from the boundary line that he talked through as it bounced end on end from an impossible angle. He added another minutes later to take his tally to 13 for the half. Brighton player James Hope had the job on Fevola and he was given assistance during the second quarter by teammate Adam Collis who paid plenty of attention to the Eagles forward and helped slow the rapid scoring by Fevola.
In perfect conditions Fevola was held to one goal in the third term as his teammates Roger Belcher and Nathan Ross booted five between them. Fevola was left needing five final term goals to break his own record. As many as four Brighton players dropped back to stem the Fevola goal-shooting show and when he took a screamer at the 20 minute mark of the last quarter, there was still some hope of a record. He managed two goals late in the quarter to take his tally to 16 goals and seven behinds for the game as the Eagles cruised to another decisive win, 29.17 (191) to Brighton's 2.3 (15).
"That was big experience," Brighton full back James Hope told the Mercury newspaper. "He's so strong and all I could do was try and out-jump him." New Norfolk District Football Club vice-president Chris Lovell was rapt with the turnout and told the Mercury: "He's a champion footballer and a champion person who interacts with the community really well," Lovell said. "You can see the excitement on his face when he's signing autographs for the kids and he really enjoys coming here."
Fevola is keen to reunite with the Eagles next season and gave praise to the support by the local communities when speaking to the Mercury saying: "The hospitality down here is just great and I hope to return next year," Fevola said "New Norfolk are a good bunch of blokes and I have enjoyed both games that I have played. It's good to come down here and put on a show. It would have been good to get a few more goals but I had four playing on me in that last quarter."
Fevola's teammate Michael Thompson provided one of the highlights early in the last term when he soared high to take a spectacular grab. However, he landed heavily and couldn't take the shot at goal. Both Nathan Ross and Roger Belcher were sizzling, kicking four goals each for the game, while Shane Bonnitcha, Simon Crane and Ben Lovell were among the best for the Eagles.
Brighton's two goals came from Richard Henley and coach Jamie Ling.
In the Reserves game earlier in the day New Norfolk were victors by 90 points and in Under 18 game the Eagles defeated Brighton by 69 points.
Huon News player of the year votes: Nathan Ross (NN) 3, Brendan Fevola (NN) 2, Simon Crane (NN) 1.
Report provided for publication by Ben Harrison
SFL Football Operations Management
COLTS
New Norfolk 3.6 5.8 10.11 16.15 (111)
Brighton 0.1 2.1 4.2 6.6 (42)
Goals - New Norfolk: J. Banks-Smith 4, N. Wakefield 2, B. Chaplin 2, C. Neads, A. Triffitt, B. Hodge, J. Foster, B. Kaye, R. Wakefield, B. Ransley, J. Challenger; Brighton: J. Walker 3, H. Parker, C. Knight, C. Connors.
Best - New Norfolk: J. Whitford-Marriott, R. Wakefield, B. King, H. Bielleman, B. Hodge, B. Kaye; Brighton: M. Howlett, M. Palmer, J. Kearney, J. Moate, D. Plunkett, D. Barrow.
RESERVES
New Norfolk 2.3 7.5 12.9 16.14 (110)
Brighton 0.1 1.2 1.2 3.2 (20)
Goals - New Norfolk: M. Cashion 4, T. Triffett 2, J. Duggan 2, S. Fenton 2, L. Menzie, P. Ling, J. Walsh, P. Jelkic, N. Lester, D. Wall; Brighton: B. Howlett , J. Steele , H. Parker.
Best - New Norfolk: T. Triffett, J. King, N. Lester, M. Cashion, J. Adams, C. Curtain; Brighton: B. Howlett, R. Randall, T. Taylor, J. Steele, M. Schultz, C. McCarthy.
SENIORS
New Norfolk 9.5 17.8 23.11 29.17 (191)
Brighton 0.0 1.3 2.3 2.3 (15)
Goals - New Norfolk: B. Fevola 16, N. Ross 4, R. Belcher 4, N. Clayton, A. Papera, B. Lovell, Z. Gardam, J. Horne; Brighton: J. King, R. Hanley.
Best - New Norfolk: N. Ross, B. Fevola, B. Lovell, S. Bonnitcha, R. Belcher, S. Crane; Brighton: A. Collis, R. Delaney, C. Daly, J. Goodluck, J. Hope, R. Hanley.
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