Dodges Ferry looking to continue recent stranglehold over neighbour Sorell in next edition of rivalry

Dodges Ferry is one of the fancies for the SFL premiership as Sorell continues to rebuild — but ladder positions mean little when the two rivals clash according to Sharks coach

Dodges Ferry Coach, Brent Dolliver and Sorell Coach, Michael McGregor ahead of their teams clash on Saturday at Pembroke Park, Sorell. Picture: Zak Simmonds

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DODGES Ferry might have dominated its rivalry with neighbour Sorell in recent SFL seasons but coach Brent Dolliver refuses to take a young Eagles outfit lightly.

The two lists couldn’t be at more opposite ends of the spectrum — the Sharks are firmly in the premiership window while the Eagles are rebuilding.

And despite differing results in the opening round of 2020, Dolliver is not looking too far ahead of their clash at Pembroke Park.

“I played at Sorell back in 2001 so the rivalry is still there, a lot of these players have either played together or worked together or are in the same social groups,” Dolliver said.

“It adds a bit of spice to the comp.

“Games are always close between Dodges and Sorell, it doesn’t matter who is on top or bottom.

“They have a good list as well, obviously they have lost a few players but they certainly have some quality.”

Dodges, who finished as minor premier last year only to be bounced out of the finals in straight sets, opened its campaign with a 90 point hiding of Claremont.

Sorell meanwhile suffered a seven goal defeat to Brighton, the Robins’ first victory since 2017 and coming after the club was forced into recess last year.

“I probably would’ve preferred to play Lindisfarne round one instead of Brighton, they were going to be up and about, we knew that, and rightly so,” Sorell coach Michael McGregor said.

“If you have a closer look at the game we had our opportunities in the first half … we will be a lot better for the hitout.

“It [the rivalry with Dodges] is pretty fierce, unfortunately for us we haven’t been able to impact on that in the last few years.

“Every time we play it is a chance for us to try and get one, they have had the wood over us for quite some time.”

Elsewhere today Thor Boscott makes his Cygnet debut as the Port heads to Anzac Park to clash with Lindisfarne, while Hobart is looking to back up its shock victory over the Two Blues against Claremont.

Huonville hosts Brighton in the remaining match.

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