All-powerful Eagles ruffle feathers

SORELL coach Fabian Ackroyd has questioned whether AFL Tasmania should have pushed for New Norfolk to play in the revamped State League.

He fears the Eagles' dominance of the SFL could turn players away from the league.

As the Eagles prepare for another tough test against Lindisfarne at Anzac Park today, the difference between the top and bottom sides is glaringly obvious.

New Norfolk, Lindisfarne, Dodges Ferry and Central Hawks are all unbeaten after four rounds, with an eight-point gap already opened up over fifth spot.

New Norfolk has a ridiculous percentage of 417.8, with its lowest winning margin being 20 goals.

Ackroyd believes its domination is making games uninteresting for the observer and will push kids to other leagues.

``I think it's disappointing, to be honest. The whole focus has been around the statewide league and that is felt by the players,'' Ackroyd said.

``With stronger clubs coming into our competition, with New Norfolk being the standout, it really makes you wonder what the motivations were behind that.

``Whether they are quite content to come back and dominate a competition, or if AFL Tasmania potentially took the easy way out and gave them the option to go back rather than assist them in going up to a competition which is probably better suited to them, who knows?''

``There are a lot of question marks around that. I would think they are one of the shortest-priced favourites for the flag in any competition that I've been involved in with over 23 years of footy.

``I know they have a lot of local lads and I'm not saying they have gone out and recruited, but it does make you wonder why all of a sudden all those players went back when they come to a lower league.''

Eighteen players returned to New Norfolk this season, with the senior side resembling the 2005 Premier League premiership team.

Ackroyd said Sorell lost a handful of players to the Old Scholars before the start of the season, with many believing teams would not be able to compete with New Norfolk.

In other SFL games today, former Premier League clubs Kingborough and Brighton square off, Huonville hosts Claremont, Triabunna travels to Shark Park to meet Dodges Ferry and New Norfolk plays Cygnet at Boyer.