Live stream: Improved New Norfolk face big test on SFL finals ambitions against Brighton

They kicked nearly double the amount of behinds to goals, but Brighton did enough in a frenzied finish to see off the challenge of New Norfolk. Watch the SFL and SFLW2 REPLAYS.

Brighton were the main culprits for the excessive number of behinds, yet they still did enough to hold off New Norfolk and stay in touch with the SFL leaders.

The Robins kicked an incredible 17 behinds compared to just 10 goals, with almost 60 per cent of them coming in the final quarter.

Max Lamb was the star of the show with four goals while Darcy Gardner and Caleb Triffet kicked two each in the 10.17 (77) to 8.8 (56) victory.

Brighton v New Norfolk - SFL Round 12 (Women)

PREVIEW

Brighton midfielder Darcy Gardner knows his side will be in for a much tighter match against New Norfolk on Saturday.

The Robins walked away 119-point victors in April, but the Eagles enter this round 12 clash as the SFL’s mid-season surprise packet given their recent run of form.

After winning just one of their opening six games, New Norfolk has won three of their last four contests to jump to sixth on the ladder, and now sit just a victory outside the top five.

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With a form line that includes a two-point win over Huonville Lions and a 61-point demolition of Dodges Ferry, Gardner said Brighton were under no illusions they will be in for a battle this week.

“We played them earlier in the year and we managed to get on top of them pretty early, but if you see their form in recent weeks, we know it’s going to be a hard game,” Gardner said.

“They’ve got some new recruits that last time we played them didn’t face us. The Bearmans (Jye and Jake) and Jye County, if you look at their best players, they’ve been in there every week. So I think that might be a big difference.”

While Eagles playing-coach Dylan Ford agrees, he also praised the commitment and belief of the entire playing group for the turnaround in form.

“It’s been the buy-in from the whole group,” Ford said.

“We had a six-week review, put some growth areas in and we’re starting to tick those. Then we added a little bit more talent, which helps, but mainly it’s down to the whole group that’s sort of brought in over the last eight weeks.

“It’s pretty awesome to see where the club’s at.”

Brighton were taken down by Lindisfarne last week. Pic: Nikki Davis-Jones

Now 12 rounds into his first year as senior coach, Ford said it’s a job that’s challenged him, but one he has always had one eye on given his injury troubles across the journey.

“I get real pride out of the development of young guys and we’re starting to see that,” he said.

“The challenging part was the early days. I remember I came to a club that struggled with numbers and was fighting to bring in great people. That was the key focus.

“But the positives are we’re getting wins and also being in games for longer periods. That was the goal we set at the start of the season, so it’s been very pleasing.”

Both Brighton and New Norfolk’s men’s and women’s senior sides clash on Saturday with the day doubling as the SFL’s Pride Round.

‘I’ve played in a number of different sports, but I do find football being one of the more inclusive sports,” Eagles player Zoie Crawford said.

“So for us as a playing group, it is really important to show our support for everyone who does want to play footy and make it a kind environment to play in.”

The women’s clash will kick off at 4.30pm.