Replays of Hobart v Lindisfarne SFL seniors, reserves game

A monster second half and a seven goal haul from a former AFL star helped Lindisfarne keep its unbeaten start to 2022 intact on Saturday after surviving an early scare against Hobart. SEE ALL HIS GOALS HERE>>>

A monster second half and a seven goal haul from Josh Green helped Lindisfarne keep its unbeaten start to 2022 intact on Saturday after surviving an early scare to fend off a plucky Hobart by 48 points at the TCA.

After leading by just 15 points at half time the Two-Blues put on the afterburners with a 13 to seven goal second half to bury a brave Tigers outfit to register a 22.11 (143) to 14.11. (95) win.

With star playing coach Michael Cassidy out due to Covid isolation new playing assistant coach Josh Green was given the keys to the forward 50 on Saturday and the former Brisbane and Essendon footballer made the most of it with a starring performance.

Jake Briggs, Lindisfarne Picture: Linda Higginson

With Lindisfarne’s ability to isolate Green one out the crafty Two-Blue created headaches all day for the Tigers to finish with 7.3 in a best on ground performance.

While Green was the head of the snake up forward he was well supplied by his midfielders throughout the day with midfield bulls Sam Adams (three goals) and Jack Gleeson continuing their stellar seasons for the Two Blues.

REPLAY OF HOBART V LINDISFARNE RESERVES

For the Tigers Ryan Stocks, Charlie Meadows and Brock Daniels never stopped trying while Jhet Moore kicked three goals.

Following the win Lindisfarne coach Michael Cassidy was thrilled with his side who now sit undefeated and atop the SFL ladder.

“It was pretty tough conditions early and slippery under foot and they always seem to get up to play against us up there and they certainly brought it in the first half,” Cassidy said.

“In the end our fitness proved we’ve done the hard work over summer and that showed in the second half which was really pleasing.

“To beat a couple of up and coming sides in New Norfolk and Sorell and then beating Cygnet last week was really satisfying and now with this win to sit at 4-0 is a credit to the hard work the squad has put in and it’s a great position to be in.”

Despite running away for its fourth win on the trot to remain unbeaten the Two Blues did not have it all their way on Saturday with the Tigers appearing hell bent on causing a boil over early on.

Brad Joseph of Hobart is tackled by Teege Westbury of Lindisfarne. Picture: Linda Higginson

The Tigers had just one win to its name heading into the clash but came out roaring against its much more fancied opponent to kick five of the first eight goals to take a two-goal lead at the first break.

The hot start put Lindisfarne on notice and as good sides often do the Two-Blues responded after with a dominant six goal to two second term to wrestle back momentum and turn a two-goal deficit into a 15 point lead at the half.

While the Tigers battle manfully in the second half the cream rose to the top for the undefeated Two-Blues who kicked away to run out convincing winners over the valiant Tigers.

In other results around the SFL Brighton caused a boilover at Pontville with the Robins handing Dodges Ferry its first defeat with a 9.13. (67) to 5.13. (43) victory, while Huonville held off a persistent New Norfolk in a 12.11. (83) to 5.8. (38) victory and Sorell beat Claremont 14.25. (109) to 8.4. (52).

MATCH PREVIEW

AHEAD of its clash with Hobart on Saturday- which will be streamed exclusively by the Mercury- Lindisfarne says it doesn’t deserve billing as the SFL’s team to beat just yet despite dismissing all before them so far to remain undefeated in 2022.

The Two-Blues have started the season in red hot form with back to back 10 goal wins over New Norfolk and Sorell before taking down reigning premier Cygnet by two goals on the weekend to stamp itself as the early season flag-favourite.

REPLAYS

However, ahead of Saturday’s clash with Hobart the Two-Blues dismissed billing as the SFL’s new team to beat, stating there was still plenty of work to be done to gain that mantle.

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“We still see Cygnet (as premiership favourites),” Lindisfarne vice-captain Josh Green said.

“It was good to get the win over them but we still feel we have a lot of improvement.

“The way Cygnet played was really impressive with the way they moved the ball and their pressure and getting it inside their forward 50 really quickly so we need to get better.”

SFL preview. David Monks of Hobart Football Club and Josh Green of Lindisfarne. Picture: Linda Higginson.

Green and the Two-Blues will look to take another step to SFL dominance on Saturday when they travel across the Tasman Bridge to play the Tigers at the TCA Oval.

Green said despite Hobart winning just one of its opening four games the evenness of the SFL this season meant they could not underestimate their opponents.

“Each week if you don’t turn up you’ll get beaten and we know if we don’t bring our best on Saturday we’ll get beaten.

“We’ve come off a really good win so we are really confident but Hobart have got some really good players so we won’t be taking them lightly and we are looking forward to another tough contest.”

After stepping away from the TSL in the off season to join the Two Blues the former Brisbane Lion and Essendon footballer had huge wraps for the SFL.

“Personally I love it and I’m enjoying my football again,” Green said.

“The crowds and the evenness of the competition and the standard is fantastic.

“It’s quite an even league and I’ve been really impressed with it.

“I’ve only played two games but from last week I’m only just starting to come good it was tough and hard and it was a four quarter game.

“And you can see by other games it quite even where other leagues in the state its blowouts each games so I’m really enjoying it and I think it’s only going to get better.”

The Two Blues and the Tigers will do battle at the TCA at 2pm on Saturday.