Dodges ready to prove it's the real deal

A SEASON defining month of football starts today for Dodges Ferry, with the side's next four games determining whether they are top three material or pretenders.

The Sharks (6-0) host Central Hawks (4-1), looking to maintain their unbeaten record and keep in touch with pace setters New Norfolk and Lindisfarne.

Dodges heads to Anzac Park next weekend, then faces the high flying Eagles and reigning Regional League premier Huonville after the bye.

The Hawks are coming off their first loss of the season to the Two Blues, but proved through the first four rounds they are a much improved outfit from last year.

The home side will be weakened by the loss of boom youngster Jeremy Howe, who will play with Lauderdale for the next fortnight in a bid to qualify for the Mariners.

Howe missed the start of the season due to a broken leg but returned to the field two weeks ago and is slowly working back to full fitness.

However Danny Ling's men still possess plenty of talent across the park.

Isaac Bennett, Craig McLeod, Kane Waller and Jesse O'Neal form a formidable engine room, ruckman Jamie Curran is dangerous at either end of the ground and brother Brad has proved a revelation in both defence and up forward since crossing from Glenorchy.

Throw in the talented yet somewhat erratic Alan Haw and the Sharks have an even spread across all lines.

Central Hawks have plenty of midfield tyros themselves including skipper Jarrod Horne, vice-captains Damien Thompson and Richard Headlam and Sam Burrill.

Despite being held in check last weekend, Scott Drury is also a proven goalkicker as well as being mobile around the ground.

The Hawks have defeated the Sharks just once since joining the SFL back in 2006 and despite their promising start to the year will struggle to contain their firepower today.

The New Norfolk juggernaut looks set to continue against their namesake Sorell at Boyer.

New Norfolk has had an astonishing 335 scoring shots (at an average of 56 per game) during the first six rounds -- 68 more than points they have conceded for the season (267) and Sorell's young backline will struggle to hold their opposite numbers.

Meanwhile, Huonville should account for Triabunna, Kingborough hosts the Power while Brighton and the Magpies meet at Pontville.