Dodges Ferry out for SFL redemption against New Norfolk at Shark Park
A monster second term from Dodges Ferry helped the Sharks bounce back from its upset loss last week with a demolition of New Norfolk in trying conditions. WATCH MATCH REPLAYS >>
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We apologise for the loss of vision at the start of the first quarter of the seniors match due to technical issues caused by heavy rain at the venue.
A MONSTER second term from Dodges Ferry helped the Sharks bounce back from its upset loss to Brighton last week with a demolition of New Norfolk in trying conditions at Shark Park on Saturday.
After suffering its first defeat of 2022 with a shock loss to the Robins last week, the Sharks returned to the winners list in emphatic fashion on Saturday with a commanding 17.11.(113) to 3.5.(23) win over the Eagles.
In extremely wet and windy conditions at Shark Park both sides found it tough going early with just two goals kicked between the sides in the opening term.
Despite holding a three point lead at quarter time New Norfolk’s inexperience came to the fore after the first break as the Sharks’ bigger bodies took control to help the home side outscore the young Eagles 16 goals to two across the final three quarter to run away with a huge 90-point win.
Sharks trio Ben Richmond, Jordan Dunn (three goals), and Riley Hooker starred throughout the day while their spearhead Cambell Hooker was once again prolific with the bustling forward kicking another five goals to take his goal kicking tally to 26 goals after six rounds to lead the SFL.
Jordan Banks-Smith, Tyron Bailey and Jacob Daley were the standouts for the Eagles.
After a sluggish start the Sharks big win was set up with a blistering six goal to none second quarter where they held the young Eagles scoreless while they peppered the goals at theo other end with 6.6 for the quarter.
While the Eagles stemmed the flow briefly in the third period, the Sharks produced another six unanswered goals in the final term to put an exclamation point on the win.
In the other Round Six results Lindisfarne brushed aside Claremont by 126 points, Huonville were too strong for Sorell with a 44-point win, and Cygnet kept Hobart to just nine points in a 96-point drubbing.
After Round Six action Lindisfarne still sit atop the SFL table as the only undefeated side in season 2022, while Cygnet, Dodges Ferry and Huonville sit just below in a log jam with the three sides all with four wins and one loss to date.
Brighton and Sorell both sit outside the top four with records of 2-3 while Hobart, New Norfolk and Claremont have all just registered one win each to round out the ladder.
Dodges Ferry out for redemption against New Norfolk
A SHOCK loss to Brighton and a heavy week on the track has Dodges Ferry fired up for redemption this week and their “whipping boy” could be the lads from New Norfolk when they meet at Shark Park in SFL round six on Saturday.
Dodges big man Jack Siggins is back from a week of banishment after he contracted Covid-19, and Shark Jordan Dunn says the side missed him in last week’s fail against Brighton.
“He’s great down there in the backline and he can swing into the ruck as well,” Dunn said.
“We can rely on him. He’s a nice solid player for us down back.
“He was sorely missed last week taking those big grabs when needed and standing up in the big moments.
“We’ve also made a few changes up forward. We probably lacked another forward last week so we’ve brought in Ash Addicoat and he will hopefully take a few grabs and release a bit of pressure off Cam Hooker.”
Dodges Ferry was caught napping against Brighton, with the Robbins taking their biggest scalp in recent times.
“Looking at our record, 3-1, it looks pretty good but it was a poor performance last week,” Dunn said.
“We’ve probably only played one game of consistent footy and that was against Huonville. We played four quarters against them and were really competitive all day.
“In our first two games against Hobart and Claremont we just played a half of footy, then we played a good game against Huonville and let ourselves down against Brighton.
“It’s an okay start to the season but there’s a lot we can build on.”
Dodges were reminded of an important lesson by the Robins.
“They were just hungrier for the contest,” Dunn said.
“We had a good win against Huonville and we got our tails up going in against a lesser team in Brighton, which was disrespectful and we didn’t give them enough credit.
“They were first to the footy, we were fumbly, they put the pressure on us and played a better four quarters and we didn’t rise to the challenge.”
Lindisfarne made five changes for its match against Claremont at Anzac Park, including the return of key forward Michael Cassidy.
MEANWHILE …
IT has been 24 years since Josh Kelly debuted for New Norfolk and 11 years since his last senior game.
But the 41-year-old onballer will make an amazing comeback to senior ranks on Saturday in New Norfolk’s SFL clash with Dodges Ferry at Shark Park.
As an added bonus, Josh will get to experience what few fathers do _ play to-level footy in the same senior side as his 19-year-old son, and Eagles centre half-back, Zayden Kelly.
“I’m excited. It’s a good opportunity to support the club and to play with my son. It will be an awesome day,” Josh said.
Josh has been New Norfolk’s senior runner this season.
“With Covid and injuries issues, the opportunity arose to play a game and help out the club,” he said.
“Zayden predominantly plays a centre half-back and fullback role, and I will be changing from the bench into the midfield, so I’m sure we’ll come across each other at some stage during the game.”
New Norfolk has been Josh’s second home.
“I’m a life member, I’m the games record holder in the reserves, and it has been a huge part of my life,” he said.
“Zayden has been part of that journey, all the grand finals, the premierships and the losses, so the club is very close to my heart.”
Josh’s senior debut was in 1999 and he went on to play in seven grand finals for six premierships, including coaching the reserves to the title in 2005.
“That was one of the highlights because I had some mates who came in and enjoyed that success, and in 2010 when I coached the under 19s and played I the senior grand final.
“In 2019 I went and coached Oatlands and Zayden came in and played a couple of games with us as a 16-year-old.”
Check this page on Saturday at game time to watch the live stream
LIVE STREAM SCHEDULE
- 7/5 – Dodges Ferry vs New Norfolk – Reserves 12pm Seniors 2pm
- 14/5 – Sorell vs Dodges Ferry – Reserves 12pm Seniors 2pm
- 21/5 – Cygnet vs Huonville Lions – Seniors 2pm SFLW 4.30pm
- 28/5 – Lindisfarne vs Brighton – Reserves 12pm Seniors 2pm
- 4/6 – Brighton vs Cygnet – Reserves 12pm Seniors 2pm
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