The Two Blues are in rare air for now

IT is a rare event for Lindisfarne to be level on points with SFL powerhouse New Norfolk deep into a season, but the Two Blues come into today’s match at Boyer in that situation.

Premiers five out of the last six years, the Eagles sit in the unfamiliar position of second on the ladder, one win behind Claremont — who defeated them last time out — and ahead of Lindisfarne only by percentage.

Two Blues coach Daniel Willing said today’s game, which is followed by matches against Huonville and Claremont, would be the true test for his side, and whether they can match the top two.

“It has not been done for the last five or six years [Lindisfarne being level on points with New Norfolk at this stage of the season],” Willing said.

“The next couple of games will be important for us to see if we are at their [Claremont and New Norfolk’s] level.”

With Lindisfarne defeating Claremont in round four, Huonville performing above expectations and Hobart shocking the East Coast Bombers two rounds ago, the SFL has been a much more competitive league than in recent years.

Willing said his side had only completely dominated one game.

Last time against the Eagles, the Two Blues were left to rue a third-quarter meltdown — in which New Norfolk piled on five goals in 12 minutes — and Willing said a couple of key senior players returning would help.

“We’re slowly getting players back, which will be good,” he said. “We need to win the midfield battle.”

The Eagles could welcome back 2013 William Leitch Medallist Nathan Ross and gun forward Josh Hall as they seek to put their poor result against Claremont last time out behind them.