300 Good Reasons to Win
The motivation was the 300th club game for Cygnet champion Julian “Jules” Direen. The response was a team performance that was arguably the best of the year, and the result was an inspiring 43 point victory over the Claremont Magpies.
It was clear from the outset that the Cygnet boys were focused and very determined to make Jules’s 300th game a memorable one for him. We dominated a very fiery and sometimes spiteful opening term and kept the scoreboard ticking over to hold a very handy 23 point lead at quarter time. Claremont fought back hard in the early stages of the 2nd quarter, but late goals to Ben Halton and Ben Free steadied the ship, and sent us into the long break with a 28 point buffer.
At half time I challenged the boys to out run and out play their opponents in the 3rd quarter and to secure a match winning lead at the final break. I am pleased to report that what I asked for was delivered; the boys came out inspired, they moved the ball with purpose, controlled the stoppages tackled hard and piled on six goals to two resulting in a 51 point lead going into the last quarter.
The only thing that was left to do was to secure Jules a goal in his milestone game. Assistant Coach “Daniel Walter” made the call to move him forward at the 15 minute mark of the last quarter, and within 3 minutes he had taken a mark about 30 meters out, but on a very tight angle. His kick was perfect and in a wonderful gesture every Cygnet player ran to congratulate him.
At the final siren we had won by 43 points and made Jules’s day one to remember. Best players were Ben Free, Will Ford, Brad Watson, Ben Halton and Jules. Major goal kickers were Ben Halton with seven and Ben Free with three. Thanks also to Brad Watson who in a terrific gesture of respect handed over the Captaincy to Jules for the day.
Next week we take on Kingborough at the twin ovals. We are determined to continue on from where we left off on Saturday. So come along and support us
Support the Port
Matt Tyrrell
Senior Coach
The Cygnet Football Club played host to the Claremont Football Club last Saturday and for the first time in a few weeks came away with two very good wins in both the Reserve and Senior matches. With the ground being closed and under water all week including a very heavy frost on the morning of the game, the surface looked like it was going to “cut up” quickly. However, thanks to some much welcomed sunshine on the Friday and with the sun shining before the Reserves match, it was drying out slowly. With Claremont not fielding a Colts team, the Committee welcomed the later start before getting ready for the days activities.
The Reserves were determined to avenge their narrow loss the last time the two sides met. Rarely are these matches’ blow-outs and always seem close on the scoreboard over the years. The Port were first into attack but it was the Magpies who found the goals first in a very fiercely contested and low scoring first quarter.
The Port led by 3 points at the break but missed a couple of easy goals that may have proved costly. The second term was another dour struggle with neither side being able to establish their superiority with the Port leading by a point at the long break. The third quarter continued the same as the previous terms but a goal after the three quarter time siren gave the Port a big lift and a valuable six point lead.
The final term was frantic and at times there appeared to be 30 odd players on the ball. The Port through Jamie Direen were able to find the goals at critical moments to record a hard fought but well earned 12 point victory.
Better players included Tom Slevin who was solid all day in the backline while Tyler Cowen was hard and physical when on the ball and roaming around in the forward line. Tim Bone’s field kicking with the wet ball in the slippery conditions was a delight to watch while Shaun Bird again was outstanding in the ruck and in a tagging role. Jamie Direen worried the Claremont backline all day with some bustling work and finished with 3 very good goals in the conditions while David Bone worked hard on the ball and around goal. Jacob Brereton and Andrew Paul were also instrumental in the victory. The other major goal-kickers were Shaun Bird and David Bone with 2 each.
A special thank you to the Colt’s players in Corey Shaw and Jeremy Hickey who were called up to play at short notice due to sickness and James Shaw for assisting with the Team Managers role.
The Senior side was also keen to reverse their first round result and had the added incentive of Club veteran Jules Direen playing his 300th game for the Club. With the return of 5 key players from injury they looked switched on from the get go and kicked 5 goals to Claremont’s 1 in the first term with Ben Halton looking very dangerous in the Port’s forward line.
In a sometimes fiery clash, Claremont came out geed up in the second term, presumably after a rev up from their coach. Both sides kicked 5 goals each for the term but the Port still held a handy 28 point lead at the long break. Coach Tyrrell stressed the importance of a big third term and the Port responded accordingly kicking 6 goals to the Magpies 2. While both sides were tiring in the heavy conditions, Claremont outscored the Port in the final term but the Cygnet side had done enough early in the game to record a very good 43 point victory.
Better players for the Port included Ben Free who was unstoppable racking up numerous possessions all day while his skills and ball use were a joy to watch. Ben Halton arguably played his best game of the season and finished off his great work rate with some clever marks and 7 telling goals. Bradley Watson and Mitchell Direen both provided good run and help set up many of the Port’s scoring opportunities. Rhys Jennings again played well while the “young veteran” himself, Jules Direen was inspirational and kicked a great goal from the boundary line when pushed forward late in the last quarter. The other major goal kicker was Ben Free who completed a great game with 3 majors.
It was a fantastic gesture prior to the match with Bradley Watson passing the Senior Captaincy to Jules for his 300th game for the Port and to also watch him being chaired off the ground surrounded by team mates victorious in such a special match! Congratulations Jules from everybody associated with the Cygnet Football Club for your great service and dedication to our Club and Cygnet community.
We also extend our congratulations to young Sam Cook who made his senior debut on Saturday. Sam is one of a number of Colt’s to get a taste of Senior football this season and acquitted himself very well in his first game – well done Cooky!
RESERVES
First quarter Cygnet 2.4 16 Claremont 2.1 13
Second quarter Cygnet 4.5 29 Claremont 4.4 28
Third quarter Cygnet 6.5 41 Claremont 5.5 35
Final Score Cygnet 8.6 54 Claremont 6.6 42
Match Synopsis .... A bright start to a bright sunny day of entertaining football. Well done guys. Old-timers in Jamie Direen and T-Bone combined with rising stars in Tom Slevin and Tyler Cowen to bring victory to the Port.
Another 300 Gamer .. T-Bone. That Winning feeling ... Oh Boy
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SENIORS
Sam Cook Debuts with an electric possession
First quarter Cygnet 5.1 31 Claremont 1.2 8
Second quarter Cygnet 10.3 63 Claremont 5.5 35
Third quarter Cygnet 16.5 101 Claremont 7.7 49
Final Score Cygnet 17.10 110 Claremont 10.7 67
Match Synopsis .... Cygnet showed all its loyal supporters what promise the club has with a win in a traditional tooth-and-nail battle against an established modern rival. Claremont showed old-fashioned football respect by patronising the bar after a game despite a fierce and sometimes rough-necked encounter.
Another best-on-ground performance by Ben Free