CYGNET FOOTBALL CLUB MAJOR SPONSOR FOR 2012
Greg "DUCKY" Gordon.
Ducky is a club legend
Follow this link to Ducky's Web-page
Coaches Report
Still a bit of work to do
Saturday’s game against top of the ladder team Lindisfarne was to be our biggest challenge for the year so far. After two good wins in a row the boys were pumped and ready to take it right up to the undefeated “Two Blues”
It took us a while to settle in the first quarter; I think nerves and anticipation got to us early. As a result we missed some easy shots at goal, however after we finally kicked our first we seemed to settle down immediately and started to link up through the midfield and get on top in defence.
The quarter time scores showed Lindisfarne in front by 10 points, but only because of their superior accuracy, as both teams had the same number of shots on goal. The second quarter was all Cygnet as we dominated the stoppages and ran the ball from defence to attack countless times; the only problem was, again, our inability to finish off in front of goal. As a result after having the best of our opponents we still trailed by 6 points at half time.
At the long break we reflected on previous years and how this year we have changed as a team and how we now have the belief that we can not only match the top sides, but beat them. All was set for a huge last half and after we kicked the first goal of the third quarter to make the scores level we really felt we could go on with the job.
Unfortunately that was where it all ended; Lindisfarne kicked the next 9 goals and we did not score again. We stopped running, lost our zone and didn’t man up. It proves the point that if you do not sustain pressure good sides will make you pay, and they did.
In reflection I think we learned a few valuable lessons on Saturday:-
- 1. We are beginning to believe in ourselves, but we are not fully there yet.
- 2. We can match it with any side as long as we stick to the plan.
- 3. Good sides can be beaten, but only when you maintain the intensity for 100% of the game.
It was a bitter pill to swallow, being beaten by 58 points, especially when you are all tied up in the third quarter, however we were able to take some positives from the game and will work on them so that our last half performance is not repeated in future.
We have a break this week for Representative games. We then take on New Norfolk at Boyer, which is truly the toughest road trip of them all. We are determined to do well against them and this time play four quarters of strong competitive football.
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Nifty's Club Notes
Tough Weekend for The Port in Freezing Conditions
The ‘Cygnet Central Port’ had little to celebrate last weekend with three matches contested and three losses recorded in sub-antarctic conditions on a wet and soggy Cygnet oval.
The Colt’s managed a game under the revamped SFL roster taking on the Dodges Ferry Sharks. The boys were a little light for numbers, but so were Dodges Ferry, however they still fancied their chances of chalking up their first win for the season. Both sides attacked the ball hard in the slippery conditions early, with the Port having plenty of opportunity to score goals, but instead wasted chances. This would come back to haunt them later in the game.
The Port were only 9 points down at the long break in a low scoring game. The young Sharks won the game in the third term with quick goals and jumped to a 27 point lead at the last change. The Port youngsters battled out the game valiantly, but it was the young Sharks who prevailed by 28 points.
Best players included Josh Doyle who was strong all day and Aaron Dance and Sammy Pritchard provided great support. Reece Polley (2 goals) and Damien Duggan & Ryan Nichols tried hard. Thanks to the Dodges boys, parents and coaching staff for making the long trip on such a miserable day and congratulations on your victory.
The Reserves were behind the eight-ball before the first bounce with up to half the side from previous weeks missing through a wedding, planned trips and injury. This required calling in a fair few boys for their first games without training and playing 3 Colts to field a side. Choppa revved the side up and they hit the ground having a real crack and matched the strong Lindisfarne side well into the second quarter. As soon as their intensity stopped for a 10 minute period, Lindisfarne swooped and peppered the goals putting the game beyond the Ports reach by half time.
After a blast from coach Bradley at the long break, the Port at least showed some character to restrict the Two Blues to only two goals in the second half, whilst scoring one themselves. However, the end result was a strong 66 point victory to Lindisfarne. Best players for the Port include Matty Cane in the back-line while Dave Bone continued his consistent season with another good performance. Paddy Wilcox and Josh Doyle in his second game of the day were really hard at it, while Benny Docking and Shaun Bird tried hard all day. Choppa Bradley and Jamie Direen scored a goal each.
A big thank you to the Colt’s for playing two games and we welcomed Brad Carver into the side for his first game for the Port – welcome Brad! We also pass our best wishes to Jeremy Hickey who sustained what appears to be a serious knee injury on Saturday – the second for the Port to a former Colt player so far this season which is a concern. Hope to see you back soon mate.
The Senior side were pretty content with the wet and greasy conditions and felt this was the type of weather that may enable an upset of the ladder leaders. In the first term, while both sides took the ball inside their forward 50 area numerous times, the Port were wasteful in front of goal letting the Two Blues off the hook, enabling them to lead by 10 points at the first break. The Port lifted their work rate in the second quarter kicking 4 goals to Lindisfarne’s 3 to only trail by 1 goal at the main break – with some real pressure on the Two Blues.
Unfortunately, the Port left their good work in the change-rooms after half time and while they kicked the first goal of the third term to level the scores, the Two Blues then piled on 6 unanswered goals to have the game in their keeping at the last change. The last quarter was a formality, but at least the Port restricted Lindisfarne’s scoring ability to some degree, but remained goal-less themselves for the second half to go down by 58 points in a very disappointing result for a half of football which did not entirely reflect the game.
Best players included Gerard Brereton who provided his players plenty of the football in a difficult day for ruckman, whilst Matty Dance continued his great start to the year. Andrew Palmer threw himself into packs to get the ball out to his team mates and took the game on but lacked support in the second half. Mitch Direen and Mark Alberry did well in the backline while Bradley Watson tried hard to lift his side.
The major goal-kicker was Ben Halton with 2. While the Reserves losing players did upset the balance of the senior side, there are no excuses and the Two Blues will be a real force this season and deserved their win. Congratulations to Nathan Rollins who played his very first senior game on Saturday – well done “Noise”.
This week will see the SFL representative side play the NTFL side at Ulverstone. We wish all selected players the very best of luck. We also congratulate Benny Halton, who has again been chosen in the initial Tasmanian Under 23 country side to play in the annual carnival.
On Saturday 26 May, we take the long road trip to New Norfolk. Hopefully the Port will be back to full strength in both teams to ensure we provide two really good contests against the competition benchmark. After that match, we enjoy the luxury of two home games in a row against Sorell and the Central Hawks respectively.
Volunteer of the Week
This week we acknowledge one of our Football Operations Division in “Pip” Townsend. “Pip” is our ‘go to ‘ man on match days, both for home and away games. There is nothing that “Pip” cannot handle, whether it is finding players jumpers, shorts, socks whilst juggling paperwork, ensuring Team Managers are comfortable with their duties and looking after the umpires. If you counted all the questions “Pip” is asked to answer each season, the list is endless. Pip also tows the Ports trailer to away games and loads and un-loads it each fortnight. Pip undertakes all issues associated with SportingPulse such as clearances and the like, as well as monitoring the Club’s email address. Put quite simply, the Club could not survive without the hours “Pip” donates to the Club. In our eyes, he is quintessentially the type of Club volunteer you cannot replace – thanks “Pip”!
Margin Tickets
This week’s winners were “Saus” Coulson and Robert Jennings (58 pts) – congratulations! See Drew Lynch for your chance to win!
Sponsors & Weekly Award Donors
We acknowledge our Major Sponsor Greg “Ducky” Gordon and our Naming Rights Sponsor the Cygnet Central Hotel for their tremendous support! We also acknowledge our Associate Sponsors and weekly award donors in Cunic Constructions, Duggans Pty Ltd, Southern Smash Repairs, Abel Labels, Cowens Drapery, B & T Glass, P A Dance Builders, Cygnet Newsagency, Bendigo Bank, Cygnet Central Hotel, Damien Steele, Phillip & Loretta Wilcox, Bill Cribbin’s BP Cygnet, Snug Tavern – individual sponsor donations from supporters, members etc.
“Support the Port in 2012”
