Two Blues buried in Eagle's rampage

LINDISFARNE coach Daniel Willing stopped short of claiming New Norfolk is unbeatable, but admits it will take something special to dismantle the raging flag favourite.
Willing watched helplessly from the sidelines yesterday as the Eagles disposed of the Two Blues 24.20 (164) to 9.8 (62) at Anzac Park.
The loss was Lindisfarne's third on the trot -- the first time since rounds 7-10 in 2007 the side has dropped three or more in a row -- while it was its second consecutive 100-point drubbing after Dodges Ferry handed it a 104-point flogging last weekend.
Now pitted in an elimination final against Claremont next weekend, Willing could still find some positives from the loss, including not meeting the Eagles again in seven days.
``They are going to be hard to stop but I guess watching us last year, if we can emulate what Huonville did last year just trying to scrape through, you never know what might happen,'' he said.
``I think anyone is beatable, but whoever is going to beat them has got to be on their game right from the word go.
``The incentive to win next week now is we will have the double chance at a grand final.''
New Norfolk had winners all over the ground, with Jason Britten and Nathan Barwick chopping up the midfield and feeding a power-packed forward line all day.
Adrian Burdon (five goals), Josh Hall (four) and Nathan Ross (three) benefited the most as the Eagles pressured their opponents into mistake after mistake.
``We can't continue to turn the footy over and expect to win, against finals sides it just won't happen,'' Willing said.
Despite the ease of the win -- New Norfolk's 14th this season by more than 100 points -- coach Anthony McConnon believes there is room for improvement.
``All we have really done is given ourselves an opportunity to hopefully get to the last game of the year. It's a whole new ball game now,'' he said.
``If you give any side a sniff and they are a chance, just look at last year's grand final with Lindisfarne.''
Claremont clung to sixth spot -- despite losing to Cygnet by 37 points -- as Huonville also went down to Central Hawks 16.15 (111) to 10.11 (71).
Kingborough got a solid pre-finals hit-out with a tough 18.15 (123) to 15.14 (104) win against Sorell, while Brighton ended a poor season on a good note with a 18.15 (123) to 17.12 (114) win against Triabunna.


Last Modified on 24/08/2009 10:01
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