Flying Eagles expect biggest test yet

CLAREMONT coach David Hunt has already labelled New Norfolk favourite for the SFL premiership ahead of his side’s clash with the Eagles at Abbotsfield Park today.

But New Norfolk coach Matt Smith said his players were not getting too far ahead of themselves.

The Eagles’ flag credentials will be put to the test today against the 2015 and 2016 premiers after three straight 100point wins to start the season.

A thrashing of Sorell last week consolidated top spot on the ladder for New Norfolk, which has a percentage of 488, compared with Claremont’s 148.47 in second position.

Claremont is also coming off a third straight win last weekend, downing Huonville by just eight points.

And Hunt conceded, mind games or not, that New Norfolk was the premiership favourite after its start to 2017.

“It’s pretty obvious they are [favourites], they have had some good recruiting and coaching,” he said.

“It’s clear how dominant they are and the competition is standing up and taking notice. It’s going to be good to see where we’re at. It’ll come down to our midfield.”

Eagles coach Matt Smith will want to win in order to reestablish New Norfolk as premiership favourite after five flags between 2009-14.

“It will be a big test for us. They have won the last two premierships so it will be a big game,” he said.

“We’re not getting too far ahead of ourselves. We’re just worried about ourselves and how we set up and our structures at the moment.”

Also today, Brighton will tackle Lindisfarne at Pontville, Dodges Ferry meets Hobart at Shark Park and Cygnet hosts Huonville.