New Norfolk District Football Club season wraps up

The 2026 SFL Community League season for the New Norfolk District Football Club is now finished.

Praise has been given to all NNDFC players on the men's and women's teams for their commitment and effort during the 2026 season, and the NNDFC committee, coaches, and support staff have also been thanked for their time and guidance.  

The "Lady Eagles" senior women's side fared the best of all the teams during the season, playing a great brand of footy that saw them as a formidable top 4 side. A rule breach unfortunately penalised the team late, but they regrouped and went on to the Elimination Final, beating University by 30 points at Pembroke Park. This great win set up a semi-final showdown against Hutchins at the TCA Ground, with the Eagles unfortunately going down 9-7-63 to 4-3-27. Best Players for New Norfolk in the Semi Final were Ashley Harwood, Erin Lawler, Ellie Henricks, Tiarna Ford, Sophie Farrow and Sidonie Skelly.

Emotions spilled over in the change rooms after the semi-final loss, with coach Zoie Crawford announcing her retirement. Zoie addressed the players and congratulated them on their great season and the improvements the players and team made. Zoie asked for everyone to stick together and thanked the selfless support staff and volunteers who helped to make the season a success.

Congratulations to Tiarna Ford for a great season and kicking 46 goals for the club, and Zoie Crawford, Sophie Farrow and Chloe Ford for recently being named in the SFL Community Leagues Senior Women's Team Of The Year.

The Senior men's Eagles team finished the 2026 season with three wins and a draw and could have won more games if luck had gone their way.

Highlights of the season were a great win at home over Lindisfarne for Josh Clifford's 300th game and also two wins over the Claremont Magpies. Three great games against arch-rivals the Hobart Tigers were also highlights, resulting in two close losses and a nail-biting draw.

Eagles senior men's Coach Josh Farrow had a great season, finishing runner-up in the league's leading goalkicker with 62 goals, and was also named at Centre Half Forward in the SFL Community League Men's Team Of The Year. Josh praised his team for their efforts throughout the season and highlighted improvement and team growth. Josh is excited about what lies ahead in 2027, with the side looking at potential key recruits to add talent and depth. Preseason training has also been mentioned, and the club is asking for greater commitment from all players.

The NNDFC thanked Senior coach Josh Farrow and assistant coaches Jacob Daley, Nigel Hay and Jake King for their hard work throughout the season as well as trainers Brett Rothwell, Anthony Bean and Tim Lowe.

The Eagles reserves men's side also improved during the 2026 season, with three wins and, like the senior side, some close losses. The team took on some of the stronger sides and showed great heart and eagle spirit. Reserve coach Corey Ransley, who was the community league reserves' leading goal-kicker with 44 goals, and assistant coach Tristan Triffett were thanked for their efforts, as were the many players and youngsters who were late call-ups to the side. Pre-season training commitment is also a focus for the reserves, who, like the senior side, are also looking to play finals football next September.

In the ODFA, Bothwell were unfortunately denied a three-peat premiership win in 2026 by Mount Pleasant, who won by 37 points in windy conditions in the Grand Final played at Oatlands recently. The Bothwell Rabbits started well, kicking the first three goals, but were overcome by an experienced side led by ex-St Kilda player Jimmy Webster, who was named best on the ground on the day.