IT was as close to the perfect quarter of football as you could find as Dodges Ferry slammed on 13 goals to give Lindisfarne a terminal case of the blues. Playing for second spot in the SFL and against a side it has not beaten in two years, Dodges smashed Lindisfarne after an even first half to score a 104-point massacre, 27.14 (176) to 10.12 (72). The third quarter was precision, high-quality football, matched by the Sharks' tackling and all-round pressure as the Blues disintegrated, giving away free kicks and numerous 50m penalties and turning into a rabble. Lindisfarne coach Daniel Willing nearly lost his voice as he unloaded the mother of all sprays on his charges at the last change. But the withering tongue-lashing had little effect as Dodges piled on another six goals to three to finish off its splendid day. Dodges coach Danny Ling dared to dream post-game of taking up the fight to unbeaten powerhouse New Norfolk in the finals. ``It is obviously a huge challenge if you look at what they have done all year, they have thumped everybody, but we are in there with a show,'' Ling said. While the forward line had many targets with Tim Cannon kicking five goals, Brent Dolliver and Jamie Curran four each and Shannon Griffiths and Craig McLeod a hat-trick as well, Dodges' defence was equally impressive. Brad Curran might have dropped back a league but has not lost any of of the skill that made him one of the state's best key defenders. Jeremy Howe shone off half-back and also started many attacking forays, while Ty Little dominated the midfield. ``We wanted to apply the pressure all day until we got to the point where we could break them and that was in the third quarter,'' Ling said. Dodges has the bye in the final round next week, while Lindisfarne must defeat New Norfolk to retake second spot. New Norfolk showed it is far from losing any momentum going into the finals with a 183-point win over the Central Hawks at Boyer, with Adrian Burdon booting seven goals. Huonville's late-season form flop continued as it went down to Sorell in a low-scoring game by three points. Kingborough smashed Triabunna at Kingston Beach by 155 points, and Brighton was an easy 57-point winner over Cygnet.
Last Modified on 21/08/2009 14:33
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