Round 18 previews
By Gary Williamson
New Norfolk v Dodges Ferry
THE Eagles are back at home for the final rostered game of the season, taking on third-placed Dodges Ferry in what will be a hard contest the Eagles need to win to finish on top of the ladder and have a bye for the first week of the finals.
New Norfolk was once again dominant last weekend against Sorell, completely thrashing them all over the ground. Key forwards Hall, Thompson, Gardam and Wilson all kicked multiple goals and this style of attack will cause a danger for an under-manned Dodges Ferry defence.
The Sharks were disappointing against Hobart and only a powerful last quarter enabled them to grab the points. Coach Curran will know they will need to play a more defensive style of game against the powerful New Norfolk side.
You would expect the Sharks to play a man behind the ball to try and slow the play while pursuing a possession style of football. They know if the Eagles win the clearances and contested possessions around the ground their forwards are far too powerful to stop in a one-on-one contest.
This could be a good game and will be a great gauge for the Sharks as a loss will almost certainly see them lose the all-important double chance and third spot on the ladder. You would expect them to push the Eagles for most of the game but with the chance of a bye next week the Eagles will be red hot and will want all players in top form and fitness and should record another solid victory.
Lindisfarne v Brighton
LINDISFARNE is back at home to take on the sixth-placed Brighton. The Two Blues need to win this game if they are to wrest third place back on the ladder as they have a superior percentage to both Dodges Ferry and East Coast Bombers. It should be a close game for much of the day but the Two Blues have too much to play for and with a double chance in the finals at stake you would expect them to be too good towards the end of the game.
Hobart v East Coast
HOBART is back at home for the last game of the season and will be an outside chance to defeat fifth-placed East Coast Bombers after last week’s great performance against Dodges Ferry. In what could be a close game for most of the day the Bombers have too much to play for with finals looming next weekend and you would expect them to record a comfortable victory away from home in a good hard contest that’s probably what coach Coppleman would like this stage in the year.
Claremont v Sorell
SECOND-PLACED Claremont is back at home for the last game of the season when they take on Sorell in what appears to be another one-sided contest. Sorell might stay in the game early but you would expect Claremont to be far too powerful and hungry, recording a big victory on the eve of their finals campaign.
Huonville v Cygnet
IN the game that will decide the wooden spoon, Huonville remains at home to take on its traditional rival Cygnet. With the loser to finish on the bottom of the ladder there will be a lot more in this game than what appears on paper. Perhaps Cygnet with a few senior players returning from injury should really lift to defeat their rivals and take the points in what should be a thrilling contest.
Hobart v East Coast
HOBART is back at home for the last game of the season and will be an outside chance to defeat fifth-placed East Coast Bombers after last week’s great performance against Dodges Ferry. In what could be a close game for most of the day the Bombers have too much to play for with finals looming next weekend and you would expect them to record a comfortable victory away from home in a good hard contest that’s probably what coach Coppleman would like this stage in the year.
Claremont v Sorell
SECOND-PLACED Claremont is back at home for the last game of the season when they take on Sorell in what appears to be another one-sided contest. Sorell might stay in the game early but you would expect Claremont to be far too powerful and hungry, recording a big victory on the eve of their finals campaign.
Huonville v Cygnet
IN the game that will decide the wooden spoon, Huonville remains at home to take on its traditional rival Cygnet. With the loser to finish on the bottom of the ladder there will be a lot more in this game than what appears on paper. Perhaps Cygnet with a few senior players returning from injury should really lift to defeat their rivals and take the points in what should be a thrilling contest.
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