New Norfolk 17 15 117 – Hobart 14 12 96
Goals:
New Norfolk: J. Farrow 7, B. Lovell 4, C. Triffett 3, Jye Bearman 2, R. Higgins.
Hobart: B. Joseph 4, B. Dart 2, D. Huxley 2, R. Stocks 2, L. Freeman, L. Kreune, A. Murfet, A. Wiggins.
Best:
New Norfolk: J. Farrow, B. Triffett, T. Purdon, J. Bearman, J. Banks-Smith, J. Poulson.
Hobart: K. Phillips, A. Wiggins, R. Stocks, B. Joseph, B. Daniels, L. Kreune.
THE New Norfolk Eagles recorded their first victory for the 2022 season over the Hobart Tigers by 21 points at the TCA Oval on Saturday afternoon.
The new-look Eagle outfit showed plenty of courage and determination and were ably led by a number of young players who all played their role in the outcome of the game.
Coach Tim Butterworth was thrilled with his team’s performance and praised his players in his post-match address after a rousing rendition of the club song in the historic TCA away change rooms.
The coaching panel can take a bow after making the decision to play captain and key back man Josh Farrow on the forward line.
Josh responded by booting seven goals for the game.
He was well supported by the ever-reliable Ben Lovell (4 goals) and tall forward Caleb Triffett (3 goals).
The Eagles promoted youngsters Mitchell Hay and Bailey Wheeler for their first hit outs at senior level to add to the youthful mix of Banks, Butler, Higgins, Poulson, Holden, and Kelly.
New Norfolk kicked to the grandstand end in the first term which looked to be favoured by a two to three-goal breeze.
In the opening minutes Farrow nailed two quick goals, one being a magnificent long drop punt from 50m out on the run.
The Tigers answered through dangerous forward Brad Joseph who marked 30m out to put the home side on the scoreboard.
Direct opponents in the early stages of the game saw Eagle ruck man Jacob Daley pitted against tall Tiger Lewis Freeman, Tiger onballers Luke Kreune, Koby Phillips and Ryan Stocks lined up against Jake Bearman, Brock Triffett and Jye Bearman in the engine room.
Young utility player Will Banks had the job on Tiger goal ace Brad Joseph.
New Norfolk entered deep into their forward line once again and from a boundary throw in, Ben Lovell grabbed the footy from the ruck dual and snapped over his head for a sensational goal to give the Eagles the lead.
Tiger forward Brayden Dart quickly converted another major for the home team in what was a highly contested start to the match.
The Eagles once again gained possession through Josh Clifford who delivered a bullet-like pass to hit big forward Caleb Triffett on the chest who kicked his first goal to give the Eagles the lead at quarter time.
(New Norfolk 5G.3B.33 points to Hobart 5G.0B.30 points).
After an even first term the second quarter started in the same fashion with both sides looking to move the footy quickly, but it was the Eagles who got the first advantage through Riley Higgins who marked 30m out to kick the first goal of the quarter.
The Tigers hit back with another goal to Brad Joseph which put them within one point of the Eagles.
They followed with another from Brayden Dart to take the lead. It was the Eagles turn as Tyron Bailey found the leading Ben Lovell, to kick his third major.
Moments later Lovell figured in the play once again marking wide on the boundary line at half forward and centering the ball to Farrow for another six pointer for the Eagles to give them a 12-point lead.
The Tigers won the centre bounce contest and found the strong marking Dylan Huxley who kicked truly.
Youngster Bailey Wheeler was finding plenty of the footy around the ground as he delivered a short pass to Farrow and with the aid of a 50m penalty kicked his fourth for the game.
Busy Tiger Alex Wiggins snapped a goal late in the term as scores were all tied up at the half time break.
(New Norfolk 10G.4B.64 points to Hobart 10G.4B.64 points).
The Eagles started the third term with a mark to Bailey Wheeler who then shot out a quick handball to the fast-running Jye Bearman for a goal.
The visitors looked more dangerous going forward. However, they were wasteful when shooting for goal with a string of minor scores to Farrow, Triffett, Purdon and Bearman. T
he Eagles kept creating opportunities as they found Farrow for his fifth major and moments later Bailey Wheeler benefited from a free and a 50m penalty and drilled the footy to Ben Lovell for his fourth to give the Eagles a valuable 23-point lead while holding the Tigers to just three behinds for the quarter.
Three quarter time scores.
(New Norfolk 13G.12B.90 points to Hobart 10G.7B.67 points)
The Tigers staged a mini comeback in the initial stages of last term with goals to Stocks, Joseph and Huxley and got within nine points.
The Eagles steadied when Riley Higgins grubbed the footy low to the goal square finding Farrow for a close-in shot for his sixth goal.
This was followed by another moments later courtesy of another 50m penalty for his seventh which capped off a great day for the captain.
The Tigers had trouble throughout the game trying to stop Lovell and Farrow.
Brock Triffett played a solid four quarter game. Tyler Purdon showed he has what it takes at Senior level.
Jordan Banks-Smith mopped up across the backline and Mitchell Hay had some important touches.
Bailey Wheeler played an outstanding game in the ruck when Jacob Daley left the field injured at half time.
Eagles fall short again (Reserves)
New Norfolk 6 8 44 – Hobart 6 9 45
Goals:
New Norfolk: R. Graham 2, N. Eiszele, C. Needs, J. Miller, J. Holbrook.
Hobart: A. Donovan 3, A. Henderson 2, C. Pearcey.
Best:
New Norfolk: C. Ransley, N. Eiszele, A. Minchin, T. Lovell, J. Miller, L. Crosswell.
Hobart: A. Henderson,
THE Eagle Reserves were pipped at the post by one point by the Hobart Tigers last Saturday after leading for the majority of the match.
This followed a disappointing two-point loss the week before against Cygnet.
The unlucky Eagles lost their way in the last term as the Hobart Tigers just snuck home in the final minutes to win by the slimmest of margins.
Big Eagle ruck man Corey Ransley was the Eagles best player over four quarters and battled hard in the ruck.
Nathan “Nugget” Eiszele is finding the form we all know he can produce while Thomas Lovell was a handy player and was instrumental in many forward entries as a backup ruck man to Ransley.
It was good to see familiar faces return to the side such as busy onballer Cody Needs along with Richard Graham who bagged two goals in a low scoring game.
Luke Crosswell was handy down back.
The Eagles were missing Jordan and Tyson Eiszele along with Tyler Purdon (who was promoted to the senior squad) which had an impact on the normal structure of the side.
However, the Eagles are not far away from putting a win on the board.
The Tigers had a slight wind advantage kicking to the main grandstand end of the ground in the last term and managed to go forward when it counted to snatch the victory.
Assistant Coach Bradley Chaplin spoke to the players after the game telling his players to stick to the game plan and to up the tempo on the training track and the wins will come
WOMEN
New Norfolk 21 15 141 – Claremont 0 1 1
Goals:
New Norfolk: M. Green 7, C. Ford 5, Z. Crawford 3, T. Tangata 3, J. Mansfield 2, O. Harris.
Best:
New Norfolk:
S. Farrow, M. Green, C. Ford, G. Kube, J. Skelly, O. Harris,
Claremont:
A. Abrahams, S. Barron, H. Rice, E. Siely, J. Grimsey, O. Smith
THIS WEEK
Saturday 23rd April:
Women v St Virgils @ New Town Bike Track @ 9am
Colts have a bye
Reserves v Claremont @ Abbotsfield Park @ 12pm
Seniors v Claremont @ Abbotsfield Park @ 2pm
$1 million pledge for Boyer Oval upgrade
THE Derwent Valley Council has welcomed an election commitment from the Liberal Government to upgrade the Boyer Oval if returned at the May 21 election.
The $1 million promise to upgrade the Boyer Oval Pavilion would see the provision of change rooms for female teams and junior teams to play at the sports ground.
Mayor Michelle Dracoulis said the funding would go a long way to provide the much-needed facilities.
“The number of people participating in sports in the Derwent Valley, women in particular, is growing and we need to ensure our facilities can support this growth,’’ Mrs Dracoulis said.
“Having dedicated female change rooms available will ensure that these teams can train and play as required.”
