ROUND 5 PREVIEWS
New Norfolk v Lindisfarne
IN the game of the round, third-placed New Norfolk faces a crunch game away from home against Lindisfarne. It will be a good opportunity for the home side to show how much it has improved this season. Lindisfarne was an impressive winner away from home against Sorell last weekend and their defence was impassable all day and this looks like a key improvement in their game however this week they face a lot different challenge as the Eagles have many multiple goal scorers and will be hard to contain their powerful forward line setup.
The Eagles recorded a massive win at home over a lonely Cygnet last week but they would have liked a much harder contest as they will be expecting the Two Blues to match them all day, especially at home on the Anzac Park Oval. The key to Lindisfarne winning the game will be to match the Eagles around the contest, close the game and not allow movement into the forward line. Coach Goodwin may elect to run a sweeper across the half-back line to deny New Norfolk’s key forwards Wilson, Thompson and Gardam any space as they are nearly unstoppable in a one-on-one contest.
New Norfolk will also be looking at this game as a gauge for a real contest and their experienced players will step up once they sniff a real challenge. They will relish the opportunity to be tested and after regaining players back in form and from injury, the Eagles are starting to hit their best form at the right time of the season.
You would expect the Eagles to have too much scoring ability to lose this game, but it will be interesting to see how long Lindisfarne can stay competitive. If the Two Blues can close up the game, they have the ability to frustrate and even defeat their highly fancied opponents in what would be a must-see game for fans.
Brighton v Sorell
Brighton looks to have a great opportunity to win its first game of the season when it returns home to take on Sorell in what appears to be a very even contest. In a game that could go either way, perhaps the Robins with the home ground advantage may have a little too much enthusiasm and with a strong vocal home crowd expect them to take the points in a nail-biting game between two evenly-matched sides.
Brighton looks to have a great opportunity to win its first game of the season when it returns home to take on Sorell in what appears to be a very even contest. In a game that could go either way, perhaps the Robins with the home ground advantage may have a little too much enthusiasm and with a strong vocal home crowd expect them to take the points in a nail-biting game between two evenly-matched sides.
Cygnet v Claremont
Cygnet is back at home and still looking to win their first game of the season but they face top side Claremont in what looks like a very one sided affair as the Port have been struggling in recent weeks. Claremont will be far too powerful and will be interesting to see the final margin. Let’s hope the Port are better at home and they show some improvement, but they will have to wait another week for their first victory.
The East Coast Bombers remain at home for the second week in a row and will be looking at keeping their winning run intact, but they face an improving Dodges Ferry side. The Sharks will get a good gauge on their form against one of the top sides in the competition and whilst you expect them to be competitive for most of the game, the class and the running power of the Bombers should see them record a comfortable victory and remain undefeated.
Huonville v Hobart
Huonville has an outside chance of winning its first game of the season when it ventures back home to take on the Hobart Tigers. The Tigers should take the points in a close game but they will need a four quarter performance because if the Lions get a sniff of victory at home they will not let that chance slip.
GARY WILLIAMSON
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