Best of the rest clash a big test

DESPITE losing two of its best players, Lindisfarne hopes to ground the East Coast Bombers at Triabunna today and remain the “best of the rest” in the chase for the SFL premiership.

The Two Blues have been outstanding in the first part of the season.

After seven rounds they sit third on the ladder, on the same points as reigning premier New Norfolk and last year’s runner-up Claremont, all on six wins, one loss and 24 premiership points.

Lindisfarne coach Dan Willing says the fifth-placed East Coast Bombers will be dangerous on their home deck.

“They will be hard to beat, particularly up there,” Willing said. “They’ve lost three games but they’ve played some good sides, including the top two. So their early season form has been fantastic.”

Willing’s “intelligence” on the Bombers says they have the same game style.

“They play a pretty exciting brand of footy, similar to what we play, so it’s a good chance to see which team can play that brand the best,” he said.

Lindisfarne has thrived under Willing this season but he won’t take all the credit.

“Coming in as a new coach, it was a new playing group for me. I didn’t know a hell of a lot about some of them,” he said.

“It has given me an opportunity to find out about individuals and how far we might be able to go as a team.

“A big tick for Adrian Goodwin who coached them before me. He had them playing a good style of footy so we didn’t have to change a lot, just a few structural changes and in the way we move the ball.”

The Two Blues will face the Bombers without star onballer Justin Myers, who has a fractured cheekbone from the four-point win over Cygnet two weeks ago, and Matt Hutchison (uni exam).

“It’s probably a seasondefining game for both teams,” Willing said. “We’ll both be fighting for the double chance, so hopefully we can stand up.

“I gives us a mini-break if we can win this week.”

Fourth-placed Brighton hosts Huonville (sixth) in a game that could be the Lions’ chance to creep into the top five.

The top-of-the-ladder Eagles are at home to Sorell (seventh), Dodges Ferry (ninth) hosts second-placed Claremont at Shark Park, and 10th placed Cygnet’s chance to avoid the wooden spoon this season would be boosted with a win over Hobart (eighth) at Cygnet.