Weekend footy previews

SOUTHERN FOOTBALL LEAGUE
ROUND 8 PREVIEWS
By Gary Williamson

Sorell v New Norfolk
SORELL is back at home but will have to wait another week to record their second win of the season as tomorrow's match with the in-form New Norfolk looks certain to be a one-sided affair. Sorell lost away from home against the undefeated Claremont last weekend but was competitive for most of the game. That display would have given them the chance to beat most sides in the competition and they really need to produce that form at home if they are to push their more fancied rivals.

New Norfolk thrashed a disappointing Dodges Ferry last weekend in a game where most people thought they would be challenged. They stood up and showed their domination and more importantly with players returning from injury they have hit top form early in the season.

Sorell will need to use the wide open spaces of Pembroke Park and chip the ball to try to get the ball long and deep into their forward line. New Norfolk has a big and powerful defence, which will see it take control of the game. The midfield battles are crucial.

Sorell may be competitive early in the game but New Norfolk is back in top form and hungry to boost the percentage and get a stronger hold on second position on the ladder. New Norfolk will be expected to run away with a big victory away from home and it will be interesting to see how competitive Sorell will be for most of the game.

Brighton v Huonville
BRIGHTON remains at home for the second week in a row and will be determined to grab another four points after last week's fade-out. Tomorrow they take on a struggling Huonville in a game they are expected to win. You would expect the Lions to come out firing and put up a real effort but Brighton has as much to play for and the disappointment last weekend will spur on their players to record their third victory of the season as they push hard for a top five berth.

Claremont v East Coast
IN the game of the round, top-placed and undefeated Claremont will take on the much improved East Coast Bombers who are currently third on the ladder. The game will really test the Magpies to see if they can lift for this crucial game. Both sides have key forwards capable of kicking the winning score and the midfield battles will decide the outcome of the game. You would expect the big and stronger bodies of the Magpies to win the crucial one on one contests which will go a long way to winning the game. It will be close for most of the day perhaps the experience and class of Claremont will see them take the points in a close game but they must be at their best as the Bombers would fancy themselves causing an upset.

Hobart v Dodges Ferry
HOBART is back at home and looking to win its third game of the season, taking on a fourth-placed Dodges Ferry still stunned by last week’s heavy defeat and determined to make amends. Hobart will be competitive for most of the game but the strength and class of Dodges Ferry should see them record a comfortable victory and entrench them in the top five with aspirations to move into the top three.

Lindisfarne v Cygnet
FIFTH-PLACED Lindisfarne is back at home and looking for a percentage-boosting victory but they will need to play better than they did last weekend as they take on an improving Cygnet who will be buoyed by last weeks first win of the season. Lindisfarne should record a comfortable victory and it will be interesting to see how much the young Port side have improved and if they can really push their highly fancied rivals.