The Cygnet Football Club ventured to KGV Oval for the first time in a few years to take on the Glenorchy Magpies. After a pretty miserable week weather wise, the oval apart from a sticky and slippery centre wicket area was in good condition for football.
The Colts again fronted up with the bare 18 players due to the long weekend. While knowing the Glenorchy boys would be hard to beat, the Cygnet youngsters were still ready to put up a brave fight. The young Magpies got off to the better start and led by 4 goals at quarter time. A seven goal to one second term sealed the game with the Magpies leading by 65 points at the long break. The Port put in a better third term after some strong words from Sam at the break, but the Glenorchy side were a little too strong around the ground and recorded a big 116 point victory.
Better players for the Port included Captain Tom Slevin, Vice Captain Tyler Cowen, Sam Cook and Damian Duggan. The Cygnet boy’s battled hard and have a good chance against the young Central Hawks this Saturday in what should be a more even affair.
The Reserves faced a Glenorchy side strengthened by Senior players due to the TSL bye. With the Magpies being soundly beaten by Huonville the week before, Coach Direen warned his side to not be complacent and misled by that result. The first term began with the Port getting some good centre clearances through Jake Brereton, Shaun Bird and Timmy and David Bone kicking a few quick goals, only for the Magpies to hit back to close the gap to 5 points at the first break.
The Port started to dominate in the second term and shot out to a 30 point lead thanks to the work of Dave Bone, Jamie Direen and Matty McIntyre near goal and some pin-point passing by our on-ballers. Late goals in junk time allowed Glenorchy back in the match with the Port holding an 18 point lead at half time. After a blast from their Coach the Cygnet side responded and finally played a good third term of football and led by 30 points at the last change. In a slogging last quarter with all players tiring on the big ground, the Port went on to record an over due 25 point victory.
Better players included Mitch Wilcox on his wing, Jamie Direen with 5 goals, Matty McIntyre with 4 goals at centre half forward while Craig Phillips, Matty Cane and Dave Bone were all very good on the day in what was an even team effort. It’s also good to see some boy’s back on the track after a couple of years lay-off from playing football.
The Seniors faced a Glenorchy side boosted by the return of 4 or 5 very good TSL players. However, the Port had some very handy inclusions from North Hobart so there could be no excuses for either side on the day. The Glenorchy side bounced out of the blocks running to catch the Port napping to lead by 28 points at the first break. The Port responded well and took control of the game in the second term. Winning the ball from the middle they closed the gap to two goals at the long break, and but for poor kicking, should have been at least three goals in front.
The third term was an even affair, but again the Port’s inability to finish in front of goal proved costly. While the Port believed they could run over the Magpies, nobody expected what occurred in the final term. The Cygnet side seemed to totally lose focus and let Glenorchy ram home 10 unanswered goals. Unfortunately, the game was a closer affair than the final score reflected. However, fade-outs against quality opposition prove costly, and this was the case in what was a very winnable game for the Port.
Coach Matt Tyrrell could not hide his disappointment after the match. Better players included Jonathan Tyrrell who was dangerous all day in the forward line, while North Hobart Mariner Nathan McCulloch was sensational and finished with a mountain of possessions and 3 goals. Jules Direen, Captain Brad Watson and Mark Alberry were solid all day.