Hobart scores its first win in 18 months by beating Lindisfarne in SFL opener
It was Hobart’s first win since 2018 and the perfect start to coach Alex Gilmour’s campaign as top cat to Tigerland.
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HOBART has scored a boilover win against Lindisfarne and fired a shot across the bow of its rivals by downing the reigning premier in Alex Gilmour’s debut as SFL coach at the TCA ground.
It was Hobart’s first win in 18 months and the Tigers, winless for the entire 2019 season, started their 2020 campaign in style, winning 13.9 (87) to 11.7 (73).
Hobart stayed in front most of the day and some ‘red-time’ goals by Lindisfarne kept it in the contest but Two Blues coach Michael Cassidy, also debuting at the helm, said the home side was too good.
“It was a tough contest. They came to play and to their credit they played some really good footy,” Cassidy said.
“It’s good to see them have their first win in a long time. We will go away and work on a few things before our game against Cygnet next week at home.”
Despite not singing it for two years, the Tigers remembered the club song and a happy Gilmour was proud to be the man who delivered the ecstasy.
“It’s a fantastic feeling — it doesn’t get much better than this,” Gilmour said.
“We were coming up against the best side in the competition and I told the boys that any side can be brought to their knees if we pressure them for a long enough period of the game.
“After the game I said to the boys I haven’t been part of a side that has pressured an opposition like that for four quarters. I really thought we forced them into submission in the end. It was ruthless pressure.”
In other games, New Norfolk was far too good for Huonville Lions at Boyer, winning 14.8 (92) to 6.6 (42), and Dodges Ferry dished out a 23.15 (153) to 9.6 (63) hammering to Claremont at Shark Park.
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