Big day at Boyer this Saturday

Southern Football League
Second Semi-Finals
at Boyer Oval this Saturday

Colts: New Norfolk v Dodges Ferry at 9.45am
Reserves: New Norfolk v Claremont at 11.45am

Seniors: New Norfolk v Lindisfarne at 2pm
FRESH from a week’s rest, New Norfolk would probably have been preparing itself for a big clash against Claremont but will instead be taking on Lindisfarne. The Two Blues gave a dominant display last weekend with a powerful running game which should now test the Eagles on the wide open spaces of the Boyer Oval.

New Norfolk will be fresh from the break and should be well and truly rested following its hard hit-out in the last week of the season against Dodges Ferry. Lindisfarne showed its class last weekend. Despite being four goals behind at half time, they powered home in the second half and this will give them some much needed confidence and momentum as they take on the best side in the competition.

New Norfolk has many players with lots of finals experience and these players will know how to get themselves fired up and know what is expected in this tough clash. Their example to their younger players who have come up this season should see them well and truly set for this big clash. As well as having dominant players all over the ground, the Eagles' powerful forward line of Thompson, Hall and Wilson, plus their smaller powerhouses, means the Two Blues will have to kick a good score if they are to defeat the high scoring New Norfolk.

Lindisfarne coach Adrian Goodwin knows the New Norfolk side inside out and will certainly take out a different game plan in this affair. An obvious strategy will be to try to chip the ball around and keep it wide in an attempt to starve the Eagles of possession.  The Two Blues need to structure their defence and play accountable football. They also need to release a sweeper across the half-back line in an attempt to spoil some of the Eagles' key forwards.

The centre clearances is where the game will be decided because both sides have classy players all over the ground. Whoever can get the ball from the centre clearances and win the stoppages will have a strong advantage in the game.

Lindisfarne needs to get off to a good start and put some early score board pressure on its more fancied rivals. New Norfolk knows what is required to win the big ones and would appear to have too much firepower up forward and should be too strong for Lindisfarne. It will however be interesting to see how close the Two Blues can get to New Norfolk. On last weekend's form they are chance to cause another huge upset.

First Semi-Final
Claremont v Dodges Ferry – Abbottsfield Park
THE highly-fancied Claremont is at home for the second week in a row, recovering from a shock loss last weekend.  You would expect the Magpies to come out firing and they should be too strong for Dodges Ferry, but if the Sharks can stay with them for most of the day the finals pressure could really tell on the Magpies and their season could end with two defeats.

GARY WILLIAMSON