SFL livestream: Brighton takes on Dodges Ferry as they chase first finals campaign since 2016

Two of the of the SFL’s top young guns put on a show in an old-fashioned shootout on Saturday. RELIVE all the action from our LIVESTREAM.

Two of the young guns in the SFL put on a show in an old-fashioned shootout, but in the end it was Dodges Ferry cementing its spot for finals action.

Brighton is emerging and has plenty to look forward to in the future, but a second quarter lapse cost the young Robins dearly as they went down by 14 points at Shark Park, 11.13 (79) to 10.5 (65).

After a fairly even first quarter, the home side led by seven points, but blew this out to 21 at half time, with Brighton’s only goal for the term only coming just before the siren.

Nathan Fuller, Dodges Ferry. Joshua Bus, Brighton Picture: Linda Higginson

Max Lamb, barely sighted in the first half, ignited for the Robins after half time, booting three goals in the third term and another two in the last as the visitors closed within a kick on numerous occasions.

But each time they did, the Sharks would respond immediately, mostly through its own young star forward Jack Dolliver.

With co-captain Campbell Hooker out injured, Dolliver booted two in the last term when they were most needed to finish with five alongside Lamb to show there is plenty of young talent in the SFL.

Dolliver, 18, is the son of co-coach Brent, who also played reserves and kicked five on the same day in the earlier game.

Sharks co-coach David Hunt said the Lamb-Dolliver display showed the talent on offer.

“To have two teenagers kick five either end in a pretty low scoring game, they were definitely the two most dangerous forwards on the ground,” Hunt said.

Jacob Young scores for Brighton Picture: Linda Higginson

“It was a real high pressure contest, and these teenagers are kicking five each, it is really good for the competition.

“Brighton is definitely on the right track.

“They wouldn’t go away.

“We knew throughout the game they would have their moments because they are a really dangerous team. It was a tough game.”

The win pushes Dodges Ferry three games clear of fifth-placed Sorell, which leapfrogged Brighton on the back of a 79-point thrashing of Claremont.

The Huonville Lions shored up third spot with a 103-point mauling of New Norfolk, while it was a goal-fest for ladder leader’s Lindisfarne on way to a 129-point belting of Hobart.

Unbeaten Dodges Ferry brushed aside the challenge of Brighton to maintain their handy break at the top of the SFL Reserves ladder.

Dodges Ferry have now won 12 matches in a row while Brighton sit seventh and look well out of finals contention.

PREVIEW: Can Robins make big finals move?

Brighton face the acid test on their SFL finals credentials when they face Dodges Ferry at Shark Park on Saturday.

The Robins are searching for their first finals berth in years and dynamic forward Jacob Best is hoping to taste his first finals series as a senior player.

Brighton is fifth on the ladder, with Sorell breathing down its neck in sixth, while Dodges Ferry is two games clear of both teams and a win could cement fourth place and a home elimination final.

The game – and the earlier reserves clash – will be streamed LIVE by the Mercury on Saturday from midday.

Brighton’s Jacob Best and Dodges Ferry midfielder Riley Hooker. Pic James Bresnehan

Best, 23, said it was a season-defining game as he hopes Brighton’s rise can continue under new coach Paul Kennedy.

“It would mean everything to play finals,” Best said.

“I haven’t played finals at Brighton since Colts and that feels like forever ago, given all the turmoil in recent years.

“It would be huge for the club but we just focus on week in, week out on the task at hand and what will be will be at the end of it.”

Brighton and Dodges Ferry are well matched as opponents.

“We both play a direct, quick, hard at it style of footy,” Best said.

“It makes for a good game every time.”

The gravity of the outcome has been drilled into the Robins

“It’s a very important game for both side,” Best said.

“It will probably be a finals-type intensity.

“Dodges and Brighton have had a few thrillers in recent times, so it should be a cracker.

“Both teams bring the heat and have a lot to play for and match up well against each other so it’s exciting.”

The knowledge and energy Kennedy has brought to Brighton in his first season as an SFL coach has revitalised the club.

“He’s brilliant. He is really caring and he has brought a level of professionalism that it probably hasn’t seen in – I don’t know about ever – but definitely in my time at the club, and I started in juniors and this is my fifth year of senior footy,” Best said.

“I’ve been through the rut and it’s good to reap some rewards now.”

A key match-up will be Brighton full-back Bradley Shaw against Dodges Ferry goalkicking machine Cam Hooker deep in the Sharks’ forward 50.

“They’ve had a good battles the last two times we’ve played, so that will be a key one,” Best said.

In other games this round, Lindisfarne takes on Hobart at Anzac Park, Huonville Lions play New Norfolk at Huonville, and Sorell plays Claremont at Pembroke Park.

Dodges Ferry v Brighton Shark Park 2pm

Dodges Ferry

B: Booth L.Murphy J.Murphy

Hb: Mathewson, Siggins, Youl

W: Lewis, Young, J.Dolliver

Hf: Cusick, Addicoat, Fuller

F : Kenny, Hooker, Reimers

R: Young, Bullock, Richmond

I: Cannon, Chatterton, Jackson, Dunn

Emerg: B. Dolliver, Edwards, Mannix

In nil

Out nil

Brighton

B: J Clark B Shaw J Nus

HB: A Wilson D Robottom M Howlett

C: S Lewis-Johnson J Whitney D Ford

HF: J Best J Young R Best

F: M Alberry M Lamb J Read

R: R.Bailey, D.Gardner, B.Hayden

INT: S Deverell, A Waller, F Morrison, C Donaghy

EMG: A Collis, L Wakefield, B Wilton, R Backhouse

IN: M.Howlett, M.Alberry, F.Morrison

OUT: A.Collis, B.Wilton, R.Backhouse

Lindisfarne vs Hobart, 2pm Anzac Park

Lindisfarne

B K Miller A Webster R Martin

HB N Raglione A Gaul B Westbury

C T Jaynes D Blazely D Bailey

HF T Westbury O Rand S Adams

F J Green M Cassidy J Anning

R M Phillips S Smith J Gleeson

Int M Hutchinson A O Meara J Baker T Westbury

Emerg D Johns A Sharp >>> A Hutchinson E Bailey

In J Baker

Out D Johns

Hobart

Backs L Andrews, J Gridley, J Quinn

HB B Joseph, D Monks, J.Pulford

C L Kreune, B Daniels, J Moore

HF D Ayliffe, S Michalowski, K Phillips

F D Huxley, A Gilmour, R Fehlberg

R C Meadows,, B Goninon, R Stocks

Int A Murfitt, S Cosgrove, J Baker, T Spriggs

Emerg N/A

In R Fehlberg, J Pulford

Out K Goninon, B Johnstone

Huonville Lions vs New Norfolk, 2pm Huonville

Huonville Lions

B: N Vincent, D Golding, C Sutcliffe

HB: C Johns, T Clark, P Reihana

C: M Schenk, L Griggs, R Guy

HF: J McIndoe, T Godfrey, C Elliott

F: E Brock, M Paul, J Glover

R: R Ward, D Thorp, B Jones

Int: M Coad, J Richards, B Shaw, R Douglas

Emg: B Guy, J Ross, J Moles

Ins: N Vincent, M Schenk, R Guy, B Shaw, R Douglas

Outs: W Quarrier, J Thorpe, M Walker, S Voss, L Ward

New Norfolk

B: R Heron R Thomason J Fisher-Cooley

HB: B Chaplin Z Kelly J Farrow

C: J Goodsell W Banks T Bailey

HF: R Higgins B Lovell J Banks-Smith

F: M Hay B Triffett J Clifford

Foll: W Watts J Bearman B Chaplin

Int: E Holden B Butler C Neads K Walker

Emer nil

In nil

Out nil

Sorell vs Claremont, 2pm Pembroke Park

Sorell

B: J.Wylie L.Nichols L.Butterworth

HB: A.Butterworth R.Batchelor A.Jones

C: B.Carter M.Sawford D.Chapman

HF: J.Smith N.Baker M.Anderton

FF: J.Perkins J.Bailey T.Castle

R: M.Bevis M.Johnson(c) C.Murfet

INT: T.Smith T.Bennett C.Riley, E.Idstrom

EMG: L.Thornbury, C.Newman, C.Workman

IN: E.Idstrom, M.Johnson

OUT: C.Harris, L.Thornbury

Claremont

B M Siely B Lang K Murtagh-Rogers

HB Br Lockley B Fewkes B Jones

C L Green M Allison Z Evans-Fenton

HF C Bennett J Crossin J Harris

F C Curtain B Bester N Woodham

R R Hanley J Adams J Williams

INT Bl Lockely R Alforte J Gambell B Davies

EMERG

INS

OUTS B McMaster