Cygnet Football Club :: Round 19 Great Huon Clash

The Cygnet Football Club played host to traditional rival the Huonville Lions Football Club last Saturday in wet and sticky ground conditions in front of one of the biggest crowds seen at the ground all season. Some welcome sun on the Friday and Saturday morning had assisted to dry the ground from the bog it was during the week, but it was evident the ground would “cut up” as the day wore on. Let’s hope the Cygnet Football Club can work with the Huon Valley Council to improve drainage issues before the 2012 season.

The Colts kicked off the day for the home side and let the young Lions slip away early in the first term to hold a 35 point lead at the fist break. The Port could not buy a goal despite four shots on goal while the Lions found a way to kick another five goals to have the game won by half time. Sam pleaded with the boy’s to show some real character in the second half, and they had a good third quarter with their tackling and pressure much better to hold the Lions to only two goals for the third quarter. The last term was more of the same but the Port youngsters found the “big sticks” to record their only goal for the match, but can be proud of the way they battled out the match despite the 86 point defeat.

Better players included Adam Direen and Adam Dance who both stood out ona tough day while Josh Doyle and Brendan Direen were good contributors. Tom Palmer and Jeremy Hickey found the conditions to their liking. Matty Coulson kicked the Port’s only goal for the match.

The Reserves lost Benny Dean before their match to injury and were out to avenge the first round defeat by the Lions. With regular Coach Brett (Nifty) Direen unavailable due to family illness, it was left to Daniel Walter and Brett Direen (B2) to steer the ship. The Port started well and had the first goal on the board, but like their opponents missed a couple of chances near goal. The second term was the Ports worst and this allowed the Lion’s to slip away to hold a handy 14 point lead at the long break.

After a blast and a few home truths from Assistant Coach, Tim Bone, the Port came out a different side and reined the Lion’s back in with some good old fashioned pressure football to regain the lead by three points at the last break in a thriller. The Port kicked the first goal but the Lions hit back with one themselves in a neck and neck struggle. In a race to the siren, and with the crowd on the edge of their seats, the Port went six points clear after Jamie Direen converted a goal, but with a minute to go the Lions got a free kick 35 metres from goal, but missed the shot. Soon after the siren sounded with the Port recording a great come from behind victory.

Better players included Craig Phillips who was sensational both on the ball and when resting while Dave Bone again continued his great return to the form we know he is capable of. Loic Auderset turned the game the Port’s way when pushed into the middle of the ground while Mitch Wilcox and Captain Timmy Bone both did a lot of the hard work around the packs. Colt Tyler Cowen, who replaced Ben Dean, played a great game. Shaun Phillips and Chris Stubbs back in the side with 2 goals each were the side’s major goal-scorers. Special thanks to Walt’s, B2, Timmy and Matt for assisting on the day.

The Seniors were happy to meet the Lions on a wet oval and believed they could upset their more fancied opponents. The game was a tight even affair in the first term with both sides going in hard for the ball. The second term was more of the same with the Lions holding a seven point lead at the long break. The Huonville side split the game open with a big third term kicking 4 goals and missing numerous others to the Port’s one point. Two goals to one in the final term ensured the Port could not make up lost ground for the Lion to record a 46 point victory.

Better players for the Port included Will Ford who has really come of age as a foot-baller this season while Mitchell Direen continued his good form. Andrew Palmer was again amongst the Port’s best in a dominant display while Kane Nielsen, the consistent Ben Free and Matty Dance were solid contributors. However, the loss for the Port was a big improvement on their first round encounter.

COLTS

First quarter Cygnet 0.1 1 Huonville 5.6 36

Second quarter Cygnet 0.5 5 Huonville 10.8 68

Third quarter Cygnet 0.6 6 Huonville 12.15 87

Final Score Cygnet 1.7 13 Huonville 14.15 99

Match Synopsis .... The scoreboard reflects the story .. a smart Huonville forward line dominated the first half. Good tagging and defensive work by the Direen brothers, Aaron Dance, Tom Palmer and Josh Doyle pulled the competition back in the second half but the bird had flown.

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RESERVES

First quarter Cygnet 2.3 15 Huonville 2.3 15

Second quarter Cygnet Huonville

Third quarter Cygnet 6.7 43 Huonville 5.10 40

Final Score Cygnet 9.7 61 Huonville 7.14 56

Match Synopsis .... Nothing better than a hard fought physical encounter with a traditional foe on your own ground in adverse conditions and coming away with a win on the last kick of the day. Fantastic stuff.

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SENIORS

First quarter Cygnet 4.1 25 Huonville 4.2 26

Second quarter Cygnet 5.3 33 Huonville 6.4 40

Third quarter Cygnet 5.4 34 Huonville 10.12 72

Final Score Cygnet 6.4 40 Huonville 12.14 86

Match Synopsis .... A classic battle, with Cygnet matching their old rivals in all but the 3rd quarter. The Cygnet football ground was packed with cars 3 levels deep which proves again the value of grass roots regional football over the AFL's woeful belief that elitism is the way to go... BULL SHIT !! Come on Wade ... get football back to its roots.