Lindisfarne overcomes slow start to shoot down the Eagles in
The Eagles soared early before being brought back to earth by Lindisfarne in a powerful display. MATCH REPORT >>
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NEW Norfolk gave Lindisfarne an early fight at Anzac Park on Saturday but the Two Blues kicked into gear and posted a big win to fire a warning shot at fierce rival Cygnet ahead of their top-of-the-ladder SFL clash next weekend.
The Eagles caught Lindisfarne napping, kicking the first four goals.
That only woke the sleeping giant and the Two Blues hit back with a powerful next three quarters to clinch a 23.15 (153) to 10.9 (69) win.
Lindisfarne coach Michael Cassidy was pleased with the response.
“We started a bit slow in the first but it was probably our best four quarters of footy we’ve put together all year,” he said.
“It was a really important win. Considering over the past three or four weeks we’ve played some of the lesser teams, it was nice to play one of the top five teams that we know on their day can play a really good brand of contested footy.
“They’ve got some really skilful players so it was good to have a real crack at them.”
Fresh off a bag of 16 goals a week earlier, Cassidy kicked another four as the Two Blues shared the scoring duties.
Big Eagle Rohan Heron did a sterling job in preventing “Cass” from running riot for a second consecutive week.
“I’ve played a lot of footy on him and he’s a good, honest backman. It was a pretty even contest between us all day,” Cassidy said.
It sets up a blockbuster on Saturday.
“It will be a cracker,” Cassidy said.
“Cygnet is in really good form so it will be good have a crack at them and see where we are at against the ladder leaders.”
In other games, Cygnet accounted for Brighton 22.12 (144) to 5.4 (34), Huonville Lions beat Hobart 10.19 (79) to 2.8 (20), and Dodges Ferry kicked a cricket score against Claremont winning 40.22 (262) to 1.1 (7).
Tough job awaits New Norfolk against Two Blues
NEW Norfolk will walk into an SFL ring of fire at ANZAC Park on Saturday with Rohan Heron most likely to draw the short straw and play on Lindisfarne coach Michael Cassidy after his amazing 16-goal performance last week.
Eagle Jordan Banks-Smith said it was a daunting task to go one-on-one with “King Cass”, who bagged 16 in Lindisfarne’s 249-point demolition of Claremont.
“He has shown in the past few years how good he has been for Lindisfarne and it’s going to be a challenge for whoever lines up on him,” Banks-Smith said.
“It looks like Rohan Heron will get him.
“Unfortunately, Josh Farrow went down with a corky in the second quarter last week so he’s out, but Rohan has shown how good he is on the big forwards and he’s been really good over the past few weeks for us.”
New Norfolk is fifth on the ladder, and while they beat the Two Blues when they met at Boyer the Eagles need a win to stay in the hunt for finals.
“We just have to keep winning to make sure we get that top five spot,” Banks Smith said.
“Lindisfarne has been the benchmark for the past few years and it was good winning against them. But we know we’re up for a challenge because they will have a bit of fire in the belly from last time.
“We’re a young side and we accept every challenge. Last week didn’t go our way against Huonville but we’re up for it this week and looking forward to it.”
New Norfolk wants another taste of finals this season.
“It would mean everything for us with a young group. We went out in straight sets last year and I know the boys want to make the finals and keep it going this year,” Banks-Smith said.
Lindisfarne midfielder Jack Gleeson said the Blues’ onball crew has a point to prove.
“They had the wood on us in the middle last game so we are looking to rectify that,” Gleeson said.
“We’ve been looking forward to this game because we lowered our colours so we’ll try to get one back on them.
“We haven’t lost at home all year so we’re hoping to keep that going as well.”
In other round 15 games, Huonville Lions play Hobart at Huonville, Dodges Ferry is at home to Claremont, and Brighton hosts Cygnet at Pontville.
Eagles soar to claim first major SFL scalp
SIX months of hard work under first-year coach Tim Castle and several new faces is beginning to bear fruit for Sorell after the side finally brought down a team above it on the SFL ladder.
The Eagles entered Saturday’s clash against Hobart with four victories under their belt, all against bottom two sides Brighton and Claremont.
But the growing confidence within the playing group shone as Sorell outlasted the Tigers 14.11 (95) to 12.13 (85) at the TCA.
And making the result all the more sweeter was the resilience the Eagles showed after being headed in the final term only to fight back and kick the final two goals of the match.
“I’m ecstatic to tell you the truth, it was a great win. It is something we have been building towards since the start of the year really,” Castle said.
“We always knew we could, it was just a matter of doing it and today we did and for four quarters we proved we can take it up to a side above us on the ladder.
“They got up by five points, which is a credit to us because in recent years when a team has got in front of us and kicked away we have let it slip.
“Myself taking over as coach and a lot of new players in the team, it takes a while to jell and the game style we are trying to bring in.
“I think it is coming to fruition now, the things we set in place six months ago are starting to click and I think that’s the reason we are getting closer and closer to teams above us on the ladder.”
Jeremiah Perkins and Corey Murfet kicked nine goals between them, while Nick Baker shone in a best afield effort.
In other round 14 results, Huonville disposed of New Norfolk by 44 points, Cygnet was too strong for Dodges Ferry in the Port’s first outing since the tragic accident to Ryan Wiggins and Michael Cassidy booted 16 goals in Lindisfarne’s demolition of Claremont.
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