WITH its powerful 89-point qualifying final demolition of Dodges Ferry at Boyer yesterday, New Norfolk took a giant step towards claiming the SFL premiership with the perfect season.
The undefeated Eagles soared despite the slippery Boyer battlefield, leaving Dodges to eat mud as the home-town heroes surged to a 14.18 (102) to 1.7 (13) victory.
That a top-heavy New Norfolk was able to find goals on a day when they were worth their weight in gold augurs well for Eagles fans, who have seen only one senior flag since 1982.
New Norfolk will now host the second semi-final against Lindisfarne on Saturday.
The Two Blues earned their place in the second semi by mothballing Claremont in an enthralling qualifying final at Anzac Park, winning 9.12 (66) to 6.8 (44).
Despite its heavy loss, Dodges Ferry's finals series is still alive, with the Sharks to get a second chance against Kingborough in the first semi-final at Shark Park.
The Tigers' finals campaign is alive and kicking after they disposed of the Central Hawks 13.17 (95) to 8.5 (53) in the elimination final at Kingston.
New Norfolk's infliction of another heavy loss on a close rival makes it the side to beat for the SFL silverware, although coach Anthony McConnon was not ready to accept premiership favouritism.
``No. Not until we've won it,'' McConnon said.
``We've got another game here next week. If we win that, we get a week off and we can reassess.
``We've got a few sore boys out of today and we've got to try and get them up for next week.''
New Norfolk controlled the qualifying final from go to whoa, and won in almost every position.
Its midfield caused the most heartache for Dodges, dominating through the corridor and using heavy body contact at the stoppages and clinches.
In this area Zac Graham was unmatched, while his onball cohorts Jason Britten and Nathan Barwick worked hard and won plenty of the ball and used it damagingly.
Down back, the brothers Hall, Sam and Josh, and half-back Nic Clayton were tighter than a submarine's hatch, giving Dodges no room to kick goals.
The fact that the Sharks kicked only one major is a big vote of confidence in them and the other Eagles backmen.
In attack, pocket-rocket Brett Booth kicked two, as did key forward Adrian Burdon, who was kept busy shaking Dodges' best defender George Stirling.
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