LINDISFARNE yesterday did what no other SFL team has achieved this season at Boyer Oval -- restricted New Norfolk to a sub-100-point win in their round nine encounter.
By downing the Two Blues, the rampant Eagles have now conquered all but one of their 10 rival teams to be undefeated nearing the first rotation of roster games, with Dodges Ferry looming as their next victim on Saturday.
Even though New Norfolk maintained its perfect record, coach Anthony McConnon was not ready to concede his side was the premiership favourite.
``You can never say that until you win it,'' McConnon said.
In downing Lindisfarne, New Norfolk won the battle of the competition's two unbeaten sides, 16.14 (110) to 7.5 (47), notching a 57-point win.
It was by far New Norfolk's smallest winning margin of the season; its previous lowest being 121 points over Huonville in the opening round and the biggest, a 245 point win over Cygnet in round five; and an average winning margin of 176 points.
On paper, Lindisfarne appeared the side most likely to beat New Norfolk and that is how it looked in the first quarter.
The Blues jumped out of the blocks like Usain Bolt, and the home side was stunned and unable to react.
Lindisfarne's midfielders moved the ball with purpose and by hitting targets inside their forward 50m or running across the arc in numbers, posted the first three goals of the game and led by 11 points at the first change.
Then the sleeping giant awoke, and New Norfolk drilled seven consecutive goals to Lindisfarne's zip in the run to half-time, and turned a two-goal deficit into a 29-point lead.
It was more of the same in the third quarter when the Eagles kicked seven of the eight goals for the term to lead by 70 at the final change.
To its credit, Lindisfarne did not stop trying, and actually won the final quarter.
In other games, Kingborough held fourth spot on the ladder by downing Sorell by 19.18 (132) to 13.10 (88) at Kingston, while Huonville beat Central Hawks 11.7 (73) to 10.5 (65) at Huonville.
Claremont defeated Cygnet 13.10 (88) to 8.6 (54) at Abbotsfield Park and Brighton beat Triabunna 14.18 (102) to 9.12 (66) at Pontville.
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