Weekend footy previews

Southern Football League
Round 16 previews
By Gary Williamson

Hobart v New Norfolk
HOBART returns home to the TCA this weekend but faces a mammoth task in taking on top-placed New Norfolk. Hobart was extremely disappointing away from home last weekend, being thrashed by Brighton. The Tigers really need to play more accountable football on the smaller TCA ground where they train regularly and they have shown this is where they play their best football. New Norfolk had an easy win away from home against fourth placed East Coast Bombers last weekend but was really made to work during periods of the game.

Hobart could be in for a long day because if New Norfolk can get the ball out of the centre quickly, the small ground will give the Eagle forwards plenty of marking opportunities and they have a real advantage of height in their forward line as the Tigers have struggled in this area throughout the season.

New Norfolk will be far too strong over the ground and will want to continue its good run up to the finals, ensuring all players have plenty of game time. You would expect the Eagles to show the home side no mercy and record a percentage boosting victory.

Brighton v Cygnet 
BRIGHTON remains at home for the second week in a row and will be looking to keep its recent good form intact when hosting last-placed Cygnet. The Robins recorded their best win for the season last week, thrashing Hobart and allowing their younger players to gain some confidence as they push to finish the season strongly in advance of a big 2015 season.

You would expect Cygnet to be competitive for half of the game but Brighton is playing its best football and will be hungry for a big victory in front of the home crowd.

Claremont v Huonville
SECOND-placed Claremont is back at home and looking for another big victory when it takes on the Huonville Lions whose early season good form has fallen away badly in the last few weeks. In what should be a very one-sided game, the only interest will be the winning margin but let’s hope the Lions play a better brand of football as they have an opportunity to win another game before the season ends.

Dodges Ferry v Lindisfarne
IN the game of the round, third-placed Lindisfarne hosts fifth-placed Dodges Ferry and if the Sharks can defeat the Two Blues they will take their position of third on the ladder and be in a chance for the all-important double chance for the finals. Lindisfarne should prevail and cement themselves into third spot on the ladder.

Sorell v East Coast
IN what could be an upset game, Sorell takes on fourth-placed East Coast Bombers at Sorell. The Bombers should have a little bit too much class and experience towards the end of the game however they must be at their best against the most improved side in the competition.