Watch all of the action as Lindisfarne clash with Cygnet in top of the table clash (SFL)

Lindisfarne has secured top spot in the SFL in stoic fashion in Cygnet but if the clash was a dress rehearsal for the grand final, bring on September. RELIVE all the action from our LIVESTREAM.

LINDISFARNE has secured top spot in the SFL in stoic fashion in Cygnet but if the clash was a dress rehearsal for the grand final, bring on September.

In a tough, hard slog in muddy, sloppy conditions, barely a goal separated Lindisfarne and Cygnet all day before the visitors kicked the only goal of the last quarter to run out 11-point winners, 11.7 (73) to 9.8 (62).

The two have been the standouts all season, but now it is the Two Blues standing alone, having recorded their second straight victory over the reigning champions this year.

Lindisfarne remains undefeated this year, and have inflicted The Port’s only two losses, but victorious playing-coach Michael Cassidy said it was too early to write off Cygnet yet.

“They are a quality side,” Cassidy said.

“There was a goal in it at three quarter time and we were just lucky our grit and determination got us that extra one and gave us that breathing space but it could have quite easily gone the other way.

Michael Cassidy of Lindisfarne. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“I wouldn’t say we’ve got the wood on them but it is nice to get a win down here that is for sure.

“It does give us great confidence going into the finals.

“There is a fair chance we’ll meet them in the year and it is nice to be 2-0 and hopefully we’ll do it again later in the year.”

The two slugged it out all game, with each side’s burst met by corresponding surge by the opposition resulting in a five-point lead to Lindisfarne at half time and three-quarter time.

But on tired legs, where the midfielders were barely recognisable due to carrying the caked on mud, it was Jack Anning’s checkside on the run in the 14th minute that proved Lindisfarne’s sealer in the last quarter.

Lindisfarne skipper Jack Gleeson was inspirational, living in the mud and then pushing forward to kick three goals, while Cassidy also booted three in a day not made for key forwards.

And they did it with star forward Josh Green held goalless and completely blanketed by Cygnet stopper Nathan Duggan.

In other games, the Huonville Lions tightened its grip on third spot with a commanding 42-point away win over Brighton, while both Sorell and Claremont secured uplifting road wins over Hobart and New Norfolk respectively, despite both victors trailing at the last break.

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In a dress rehearsal for a likely grand final matchup, the SFL’s two powerhouse sides will do battle at Cygnet on Saturday.

And undefeated Lindisfarne are confident of exposing the reigning premiers for a second time this season.

The mouth-watering top of the table clash, which will be exclusively streamed online by the Mercury with commentary from ‘Tubes’ Taylor, will reward the victor with outright top spot on the SFL ladder and almost ensure the minor premiership and a week off in the first week of finals.

Lindisfarne and Cygnet have taken all before them in season 2022 with the only loss between the sides coming in April when the Two Blues took down the Port by 16 points in a shootout at Anzac Park.

SFL, Cygnet's Thor Boscott and Lindisfarne's Michael Cassidy at North Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

Ahead of the highly anticipated rematch, Lindisfarne playing coach Michael Cassidy was full of praise for the reigning premiers but said there was a chink in their armour they would look to expose.

“They are a quality outfit and they’re obviously really dangerous up forward and their midfielders are pretty strong but I think their backs are where we can exploit them a little bit,” Cassidy said.

“I know they’ve lost a couple [defenders] and I know ‘Duggo’ [Cygnet fullback Adam Duggan] was back but I’ve heard he may have done a ‘hammy’ so they’re a little bit short down there so we’ll see if we can expose them.”

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Cassidy said his charges would head into the clash refreshed and rejuvenated after a bye last round but despite being undefeated and the only team to taste victory against the Port this year he was not ready to take the mantle of premiership favourite just yet.

“It’s definitely not us it’s still Cygnet at the moment,” Cassidy said.

“[playing coach] Thor [Boscott] is leading them well down there and they won last year and I don’t think they’ve taken a backwards step from last year.

“We’ve got no doubt they’re the team to beat and still will be the rest of the year but hopefully we can get one up on them down there and help us finish on top.

“We think we’ll meet up with them further down the track so we it’ll definitely be a finals preview of what’s to come.”

While Cassidy acknowledged Lindisfarne and Cygnet had been the standout teams this season he believed the premiership was not a two-horse race and said last year’s runner up Huonville still had the star power capable of winning it all.

The battle for top spot and premiership favouritism will get under way at 2pm on Saturday.