Eagles soar once more

HOSTING rights for next week’s SFL elimination final are on the line at Boyer, but after missing finals last season New Norfolk coach Josh Clifford is just happy to be back part of September action.

The fourth-placed Eagles host fifth-placed Cygnet today, with the prize for the winner home-ground advantage in the cut-throat final. New Norfolk currently holds the edge sitting four points clear, but the Port’s superior percentage means if they can raid the Eagles’ fortress the sides will swap positions on the ladder. While slightly disappointed his men have put themselves in this position — the hosts’ percentage took a big hit a month ago when Huonville thumped them by 88 points — Clifford said the buzz was back in the Derwent Valley.

“We didn’t play finals last year and no matter the result on the weekend we will, the atmosphere is great and hopefully they can take that excitement into Saturday’s game and we can get a win,” Clifford said.

“To get a home final would really help out the footy club, it would be disappointing not to win.

“But it is not all bad news if we don’t.”

Standing in the Eagles’ way is Cygnet’s star recruit Barry Hall, who will play his third game for the club — qualifying him for finals.

The Sydney AFL premiership co-captain booted 4.7 last weekend, and Clifford knows first hand the boost former AFL players can give a group after Brendan Fevola played a couple of games for New Norfolk in the past.

“We’ve spoken about it, as you would. We have Rohan Heron, he goes to the best opposition forward every week so he has put his hand up to have a bit of a crack. When we had ‘Fev’ it always gave you a bit of confidence as a player knowing a bloke like that can turn a game at any minute.”

Barring an upset at Pembroke Park, Lindisfarne will leapfrog Huonville into second spot on percentage against Sorell.

Dodges Ferry hosts Claremont to round out the regularseason action.