Rod Grinter

New Norfolk had to wait until 1959 for a first ever grand final appearance but would almost certainly have been prepared to wait even longer had it guaranteed a less ignominious result. The Eagles lost by 47 points, but it was not the margin which was so deflating, rather their consummate inability to trouble the scorers. Final scores were Hobart 9.14 (68) to New Norfolk 2.9 (21) with the Eagles' total being the lowest in a post war TFL grand final.

Sandy Bay provided the opposition on New Norfolk's next appearance in a grand final in 1964 but, although the Eagles put in a much improved performance, the ultimate result was the same, with the Seagulls winning by 2 straight kicks. Not even the presence in the New Norfolk side of the great Peter Hudson could enable the Eagles to bridge the gap. 

Hudson had departed to the mainland by the time New Norfolk next appeared in a grand final in 1968 when, thankfully, it was a case of 'third time lucky'. The Eagles won by 29 points, 14.13 (97) to North Hobart's 9.14 (68), before overcoming Scottsdale by 13 points in the state grand final to claim their first and only state premiership.  

After dropping to 3rd in 1969 the Eagles again made the grand final in 1970 when they came up against a Clarence side in irrepressible form and bidding for its first ever TFL flag. The Eagles were underdogs but confident, given that they had beaten the Roos in the final roster match of the season despite being forced to play the entire last quarter with just seventeen men. A grand final record crowd of 24,413 were in attendance, but sadly this failed to inspire the Eagles who trailed throughout en route to a 55 point loss. 

The early 1980s proved to be the Eagles' best period since entering the League. Runners up slots in 1981 and 1983 were sandwiched around the club's second premiership which came after a hard fought 11 point defeat of Glenorchy. 

New Norfolk's only other TFL grand final appearance came in 1994 when they were favoured by many to upset reigning premiers Clarence. The Roos had other ideas, however, ultimately winning somewhat easier than the final margin of 38 points would suggest. 

New Norfolk's escape was to be short-lived, however.  Just two seasons later they joined their erstwhile TFL compatriots in the recently formed Southern Football League, losing both their nickname and official playing colours in the process.  Under the name of the New Norfolk 'Derwent Hawks' the club reached a grand final in its debut season, but lost by 30 points to Kernandie.  With the TFL itself collapsing after the 2000 season the future of clubs like New Norfolk, not to mention that of Tasmanian football as a whole, hung precariously in the balance for a time.  However, the news, disclosed in November 2003, that the club would be reverting to its traditional nickname (Eagles) and colours (black, white and red) from 2004 represented a major shot in the arm for everyone associated with New Norfolk, not least the players, who responded by securing the minor premiership and warm favouritism ahead of a grand final clash with Clarence.  Unfortunately, however, that was where the fairytale ended, as the 'Roos proved too accomplished when it counted.  

Action from a 2003 Southern Football League roster match between New Norfolk (vertically striped jumpers) and Kingston.  (Photo courtesy of Dan Garlick of OzVox Media - click to enlarge.)