Brighton boosted by Sharks victory heading into clash with Tigers

RIDING high after its upset win over Dodges Ferry at Shark Park on Saturday, Brighton will be trying to win two games on the trot for the first time since 2016 when it takes on Hobart at Pontville Oval on Saturday.

Downing the Sharks in their home waters was BrighTWO ton’s second win of the season and coach Byron Howard said it was the boost he had been looking for.

“It was great to get the four points and keep in touch with the top five,” Howard said. “It gives us self-belief. “We had a really good win first up, got spanked by Huonville, and then we got close to New Norfolk, and to go down to Dodges and win was a great reward.

“I think we got them [Dodges Ferry] at the right time and it give us a bit a more confidence that if we work hard we can get the wins.”

Howard hailed the leadership of onballer Dylan Ford.

“He worked really hard over the preseason and got some real reward for his hard work and his fitness – he led from the front,” Howard said.

“He’s a really great young fellow and he played really well.”

Brighton is seventh on the ladder with eight premiership points, the same as reigning premier Lindisfarne (fifth) and Dodges Ferry (sixth).

Hobart has three wins and sits in fourth.

“Hobart is playing really good footy so it’s going to be a really good game,” Howard said.

“We are really similar teams in how we shape up so we’re really looking forward to it.”

He is reluctant to make changes to a winning formula.

“There were a couple of players we will have a look at from the reserves, although they had a bad loss unfortunately, but there’s three or four we will consider for selection,” he said. “It will be hard to change a winning team but you never know.”

In other round six games, Sorell is at home to Claremont, Huonville Lions and Lindisfarne have a blockbuster at Huonville, and New Norfolk and Cygnet face off at Boyer.