Unbeaten records for Claremont and Lindisfarne go on the line under the Friday night lights

As Claremont and Lindisfarne prepare for a blockbuster SFLW clash under lights at Abbotsfield Park, the respective coaches are confident the glaring gap between teams at opposite ends of the ladder will close

• Lure of playing at the home of Tasmanian football strong for women
• Centre stage for SFL’s best female footballers

COACHES from two of the powerhouse clubs in the SFL women’s competition are confident the disparity between the top and bottom teams will close in the coming years.

Sandra Eaton (Claremont) and Lindisfarne’s Jodie Mather are preparing their outfits for tomorrow night’s blockbuster showdown at Abbotsfield Park, where both put unbeaten records on the line.

The Pies sit atop the ladder with a 6-0 record, while the Blues (5-0) are third, level with the league’s other undefeated side Huonville.

Claremont has swept all before it in 2020, conceding just 15 points in total in its six matches, including holding the opposition scoreless on three occasions.

At the other end of the spectrum is New Norfolk, who is not only winless but has scored just a solitary point in four matches while coughing up 476 against.

Despite the glaring gulf, Eaton believes there is enough talent at the struggling clubs to turn fortunes if the players are willing stick together.

“You definitely have the bottom tier groups but they are a lot of younger players that are still developing,” Eaton said ahead of the rematch from last year’s preliminary final.

“There is so much potential in those teams, they just have to stick at it, stick with their teams and a little bit of experience brought in will lift those bottom teams.

SFLW footballers (L-R) Jess Kube (South East Suns), Mandy Fish (Lindisfarne) and Katie Stanford (Claremont) ahead of the start of the season. Picture Chris Kidd

“Most of the teams we talk to after the games seem to have some really good culture and good atmosphere around them.

“I am hopeful and quite confident those teams can stick together and I hope they do.”

Eaton said her players are steeling themselves for a shot at one of the strongest women’s sides in the SFLW.

“This is the game we have been building towards.

“Lindisfarne has been at the top of the competition for the entirety of the competition I guess, we knew coming into the season, and especially early after the first couple of games, they would be the real test.”

Mather was full of praise for a Pies squad she believes is the 2020 benchmark, and is bracing for a hostile environment under lights on the road.

She also has faith the gap in standard in the league will shrink.

“The benefit of some of the teams that don’t have as much success is they have actually stuck it out and their persistence in the competition is a real asset and they can build off that.

“The key for some of the teams that are in the bottom tier is they just need to recruit a couple of experienced players to bring that depth.”

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