Lions aim to add to Eagles’ problems
REIGNING premier New Norfolk will test itself against the up and coming Huonville today in a match that will reveal a lot about both clubs.
New Norfolk was the team to beat last year and went through the home-and-away roster without losing a game.
Three rounds into this season New Norfolk has already lost a game and its hopes of back-to-back flags are being challenged by a strong Lindisfarne outfit and a resurgent Claremont.
Huonville will be looking to put another dent in the Eagles’ campaign, with the undefeated Lions hosting the reigning premiers at Huonville Oval.
New Norfolk’s five-time premiership player Jon Murray believes the secret to defeating Huonville is to stop its key forward Michael Paul, who has kicked nine goals in the Lions’ first two games.
“We know there is one big factor in Huonville every time we play them … his name is Michael Paul,” Murray said.
“He is a very powerful man and he dictates terms down in Huonville.”
Huonville vice-captain Jarrod Lawler acknowledges that for Huonville to make the finals this season, it needs to start beating teams like New Norfolk.
“Obviously we respect New Norfolk, they have been a great team for a long time,” Lawler said. “We won’t go in thinking we will definitely win it, we know we will have to play our best.
“They are a team we are hoping we can beat since we didn’t beat them last year, which will hopefully help us play finals this year.”
The TCA will hold its first game of the season after having major redevelopments on its surface, with Hobart hosting Cygnet. Hobart has had a fantastic start to the season but the young brigade of Elijah Reardon, Toby Cowen and Joseph Direen will be leading from the front for Cygnet.
Claremont will go in as strong favourite in its game against Sorell while, in the final game, at least one club will gain its first points for the season, with the winless Dodges Ferry hosting Brighton.