The Scarecrow
17 Aug 2004, 01:22
By: DAVID STOCKDALE From The Mercury
HOBART is likely to protest at having to play next Saturday's SFL Premier League elimination final against Kingborough at boggy Kingston Beach Oval.
Hobart's 95-point drubbing by Clarence at Bellerive in yesterday's last home-and-away round left the door ajar for Kingborough to snatch fourth spot.
That the Tigers duly did, drawing level on points and edging ahead on percentage -- 108.58 to 107.40 -- courtesy of their 96-point away rout of Lauderdale.
The club finishing in the superior position nearly always wins the right to host a final.
But SFL general manager Noel Morrison said the final could be moved to an alternative venue if the SFL executive decided a club's ground was not up to the standard.
``We are aware there have been complaints recently about the muddy condition of Kingston's ground,'' Morrison said.
``The executive will look into the situation and the finals' venues will be announced on Monday.''
Top side New Norfolk will have a well-earned rest in the first weekend of the finals after crushing third-placed Glenorchy by 73 points at Boyer.
The Eagles rattled on 12.8 to 1.0 in a very one-sided first half before taking the foot off the accelerator in the second to win 14.11 (95) to 3.4 (22).
``We went out with a plan to physically and mentally harass them early and we did just that,'' playing coach Matthew Smith said.
``I wanted a big start and the players gave it to me.''
The Eagles had winners up forward in strong-marking Michael Thompson, and Adrian Burdon and Justin Rainbird, who kicked four and three goals respectively.
Kingborough grabbed an unlikely finals spot by walloping the home side Lauderdale 17.11 (113) to 3.6 (24).
It was indicative of how even the Tigers' performance was that their goals were spread among 13 players.
Their best contributors were Jamie Harris, Dean Cornish and Jarrod Booth.
After an even first term, Clarence warmed up for its home qualifying final against arch-rival Glenorchy by burying Hobart 23.11 (149) to 7.12 (54).
Big key forward Jarrod Garth led the goal splurge with eight, followed by Jaymes Baker with five.
And teenager Justin Sherman showed he is growing in stature with every game after being blooded by the Devils in the VFL the previous week.
``We had a lot of very good players who cut Hobart up early early, like Nick Paine and Trent Whitelaw, and we moved players around with a view to looking at our options for the finals,'' coach Darren Winter said.
Reigning premier North Hobart finished a disappointing season on a winning note by disposing of bottom side Brighton at Pontville 11.17 (83) to 4.4 (28).
HOBART is likely to protest at having to play next Saturday's SFL Premier League elimination final against Kingborough at boggy Kingston Beach Oval.
Hobart's 95-point drubbing by Clarence at Bellerive in yesterday's last home-and-away round left the door ajar for Kingborough to snatch fourth spot.
That the Tigers duly did, drawing level on points and edging ahead on percentage -- 108.58 to 107.40 -- courtesy of their 96-point away rout of Lauderdale.
The club finishing in the superior position nearly always wins the right to host a final.
But SFL general manager Noel Morrison said the final could be moved to an alternative venue if the SFL executive decided a club's ground was not up to the standard.
``We are aware there have been complaints recently about the muddy condition of Kingston's ground,'' Morrison said.
``The executive will look into the situation and the finals' venues will be announced on Monday.''
Top side New Norfolk will have a well-earned rest in the first weekend of the finals after crushing third-placed Glenorchy by 73 points at Boyer.
The Eagles rattled on 12.8 to 1.0 in a very one-sided first half before taking the foot off the accelerator in the second to win 14.11 (95) to 3.4 (22).
``We went out with a plan to physically and mentally harass them early and we did just that,'' playing coach Matthew Smith said.
``I wanted a big start and the players gave it to me.''
The Eagles had winners up forward in strong-marking Michael Thompson, and Adrian Burdon and Justin Rainbird, who kicked four and three goals respectively.
Kingborough grabbed an unlikely finals spot by walloping the home side Lauderdale 17.11 (113) to 3.6 (24).
It was indicative of how even the Tigers' performance was that their goals were spread among 13 players.
Their best contributors were Jamie Harris, Dean Cornish and Jarrod Booth.
After an even first term, Clarence warmed up for its home qualifying final against arch-rival Glenorchy by burying Hobart 23.11 (149) to 7.12 (54).
Big key forward Jarrod Garth led the goal splurge with eight, followed by Jaymes Baker with five.
And teenager Justin Sherman showed he is growing in stature with every game after being blooded by the Devils in the VFL the previous week.
``We had a lot of very good players who cut Hobart up early early, like Nick Paine and Trent Whitelaw, and we moved players around with a view to looking at our options for the finals,'' coach Darren Winter said.
Reigning premier North Hobart finished a disappointing season on a winning note by disposing of bottom side Brighton at Pontville 11.17 (83) to 4.4 (28).