New Norfolk's massive win

Southern Football League
Round 16 results
By Gary Williamson

NEW Norfolk was back at home on Saturday and was never going to let Hobart into the game at all. The Eagles were far too strong all day, eventually running out winners by 241 points. The game was over at quarter time as the Eagles kicked 10 goals to one in the first term they raced away to a 57 point lead while Hobart was having trouble getting the ball over the centre and could not stop the dominating Eagle forwards.

The second term saw the young Tigers slow down the scoring as they played a more accountable game of football and kicked the ball wide to frustrate the Eagles who were only able to kick six goals. Hobart’s tactics did not allow them to get many scoring opportunities and slowed their own scoring as a result, trailing by 87 points at the main change.

The second half was all one way traffic for the Eagles who really put their foot down and the Tigers allowed New Norfolk too many easy goals as they finished with 13 in the last term to record another percentage-boosting victory which should assure them of a top spot in that all important home final.

Best players for New Norfolk were mainly their forwards with Hall continuing his great season with 11 goals and he was well supported by Michael Thompson with eight along with Booth kicking five and Ross continuing his good form with four goals in a lively display. Other good players for the Eagles were Wilkins, Tonks and Clifford. Best players for the Tigers were Young who has had a very consistent season and he was supported by Henderson and Claridge as they really struggled to the end of their first season in the SFL.

New Norfolk 10.3,  16.7,  27.17,  40.24 (264) 
Hobart 1.0,  2.4,  3.5,  3.5 (23) 
Goals - New Norfolk: J. Hall 11, M. Thompson 8, B. Booth 5, N. Ross 4, Z. Gardam 3, C. Wilson 2,  J. Murray 2, A. Tonks 2, B. Chaplin, J. Clifford, T. Rainbird; Hobart: J. Fazackerley, A. Henderson, S. Reeves.
Best - New Norfolk: J. Hall, C. Wilson, M. Thompson, A. Tonks, B. Booth, J. Clifford; Hobart: J. Young, A. Henderson, C. Claridge, D. Huxley, J. Brown.

RESERVES: 
New Norfolk 3.3,  9.4,  14.8,  19.11 (125) 
Hobart 1.1,  1.2,  1.2,  1.3 (9) 
Goals - New Norfolk: K. Cashion 12, J. Banks-Smith 2, S. Triffitt, B. Chaplin, N. Lester, D. Triffett, J. Taylor-Evans; Hobart: J. Hill.

COLTS:
New Norfolk defeated Hobart by forfeit. 

OTHER MATCHES:
Brighton 24.8 (152) d Cygnet 6.9 (45) 
BRIGHTON continued its recent good form to thrash a disappointing Cygnet on their home turf with a blistering first half and eventually running out winners by 107 points. Brighton came out of the sheds and really took it up to their rivals and never allowed the Cygnet players to get their hands on the ball as they slammed on 11 unanswered goals and raced to a match winning lead of 69 points at quarter time against a shell shocked Cygnet.

The second term again saw the Robins dominate the game but Cygnet started to work itself into the game and was able to kick three goals but the game was well and truly over at half time with a dominant 84 point lead to the home side. The second half saw the game slow down as Cygnet played a more defensive brand of football and the home side appeared to take the foot off the accelerator. Brighton nevertheless recorded a great win at home to clearly show they are the best team outside the top five.

Claremont 43.18 (276) d Huonville 2.1 (13)
THE in-form Claremont was back at home and refused to let the struggling Huonville into the game. After piling on 11 unanswered goals in the first quarter the game was over at quarter time as the Lions failed to score and trailed by a mammoth 73 points at the first change. The second term was the same as the first with a further 11 goals as Claremont players were unaccountable and Huonville was well out of its depth and did not look interested. The second half saw Claremont rake up the biggest winning margin of the season so far. The 263-point win was  a percentage-boosting victory but it does not appear to be enough to catch New Norfolk who aren't likely to drop a game for the rest of the season.  


Dodges Ferry 15.15 (105) d Lindisfarne 6.13 (49)
IN the game of the round with third-place up for grabs, Dodges Ferry had the home ground advantage and dominated an extremely disappointing Lindisfarne for most of the day, eventually running out winners by 56 points.

East Coast 9.18 (72) d Sorell 5.11 (41)
THE East Coast Bombers travelled to Sorell for what was a real danger game but they held the upper hand all day and in a low scoring slugging affair eventually ran out winners by 31 points.