Weekend footy preview

SFL Round 3 Preview
By Gary Williamson

New Norfolk v Brighton
NEW Norfolk plays at home for the first time this season and will be looking to record its second win in a row when it hosts an improving Brighton on Saturday. Brighton looks to be not far away from its first win of the season but faces a huge task at Boyer Oval.

The Eagles bounced back to top form last week with a big thrashing of Huonville away and with their key forwards back in top shape they appear to be hard to keep to a losing score. The Robins put up a gallant performance last week against ladder-leader Claremont and must keep improving, use their pace to play possession football and make the home side run to get possession of the ball.

The Eagles have a wealth of experienced players and with stronger bodies they will look to take control of the midfield and get the ball in quickly to their forwards in a one on one contest as they know the Robins do not have the defence to match their players.

New Norfolk should be far too strong at home and will record an easy victory. It will be interesting to see how much Brighton have improved from last season.

Claremont v Dodges Ferry
CLAREMONT is back at home and looking to make it three wins in a row when it takes on the improving Dodges Ferry. The Magpies recorded an easy win last week against Brighton but struggled at times and will be looking to play a more consistent four quarters of football. The Sharks were also impressive in defeating arch rivals Sorell and will be at peak fitness and full of confidence. The Sharks will need to get their defence set up with their match ups and will need to tag the key Magpie midfielders if they are to reduce their scoring power. Claremont needs to improve its starts and if it can get the early breaks at home then the visitors could be in for a long afternoon. The classy Magpies should be far too strong at home and it will be interesting to see how much improvement the Sharks can show against the best side in the competition.

Cygnet v East Coast Bombers
CYGNET will be looking to record its first win of the season but faces a tough task against the East Coast Bombers who have plenty of fleet footed players that will enjoy the Kermandie Oval. With two losses this season, the Port they are down on confidence and face a quality undefeated side and need to get off to a good start. Their Bombers should record a comfortable victory.

Lindisfarne v Huonville
LINDISFARNE ventures back to Anzac Park where it plays its best football, taking on the struggling Huonville Lions who are recovering from a heavy loss to the powerful New Norfolk. The Two Blues have plenty of classy experienced players and if these players are allowed space to roam they will control the state of play and create the loose man and will score heavily, especially at home. Lindisfarne should be far too strong and have too much firepower up forward for the Lions and hopefully the opposition play a more accountable brand of football and stay in touch with the home side for a long period.

Sorell v Hobart
HOBART will be confident after its big win last week when they travel to take on Sorell in what should be a very even contest as both sides will be desperate for a win to keep in touch with the top six. The Eagles will look to bounce back after last week’s loss to arch rival Dodges Ferry and with their first home game of the season they will be confident of a big chance to take the points in an even contest. Both sides have a lot of new young players and it will be important for both sides to get off to a good start and put some scoreboard pressure on the opposition to get the early advantage. In a game that could go either way, perhaps the Tigers with their new found confidence may just get over the line but they must play four consistent quarters against a side that really lifts at home.