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Match Report from First of Three-Peat 2002
PORT CREATE HISTORY (TWICE)
The Cygnet Football Club created history not once but twice a fortnight ago at North Hobart Oval; firstly winning the inaugural Southern Football League Regional Grand Final over Lauderdale; and secondly its first ever Premiership victory in it's new Port Adelaide strip.
A big contingent of Cygnet supporters braved some wild and wintry conditions to support the boys in their quest for the ultimate in football. The side ran through a magnificent banner with "mateship of brothers" the main theme, that helped fire up the side.
Winning the toss we kicked to the scoreboard end aided by a swirling breeze and did most of the early attacking but brought up early points. Eventually a Daniel Walter snap off the ground in the goal-square found us our first major. With the back-line well on top early and Tim Bone, Jamie Direen and Gordon Shaw providing plenty of drive we set up a two-goal lead at the first break.
The second quarter was as good as the first and with two early goals against the trend the Port players started to combine well as a team. With excellent tackling and fierce pressure the Lauderdale forwards had to work overtime for goals, which were restricted in the main by great defensive work by Damien Clark and seventeen year old Grant Clark. The reward was a 32- point lead at the long break. Coach Garry Williamson kept the players focussed and reminded them that this is as close to war as they would ever come, and that wars are won by looking after and respecting your mates in battle.
Inaccuracy was the Ports biggest killer in the third term and they should have had the game well and truly won, with Lauderdale kicking two goals to still be within reach at three quarter time. The boys were pumped in the huddle as a big crowd urged them on to victory. An early goal to Lauderdale Coach Anthony McConnon and a near miss soon after had some Port supporters looking worried, but the players bottled up play and kept placing pressure on their opponents at all times. Time was ticking away and was quickly becoming Lauderdale's biggest enemy when at the twenty minute mark two quick goals by the Cygnet side ensured the cup was on it's way back to the Port.
Emotional scenes were experienced after the final siren especially when the side moved to the grandstand and sang the Club song with as much pride and gusto as supporters have ever heard. As one older Cygnet die-hard said "it even brought a tear to my eye".
Another highlight was the presentation of the Cup and premiership medals to each player and Gordon Shaw who was a worthy winner of the Tony Martyn medal for best player on the field.
Well done to all the players, coaching staff, team manager "Bish", support staff, trainers and others who made sure the side was ready to perform at it's best week in and week out.
A special mention to Garry Williamson and Brendan Polley for their hard work throughout the roster series and the finals.
Needless to say celebrations went long and hard for the week with yours truly a casualty - everybody letting their hair down after a long, arduous, but very worthwhile season. On behalf of the Cygnet Football Club I would like to thank the Committee for their dedication to their positions and responsibilities over the season. There are too many helpers to name individually who help around the Club each week, but you all know who you are and we thank you sincerely and hope you are all with us again next year.
To Arthur Johnstone and Anthony McConnon, believe us, we know how you feel after our loss in 1998. But both sides should be credited with the way the game was played, "hard but fair" which has become typical of Cygnet and Lauderdale clashes.
Well done to the other Grand Finalist's and commiserations to Jimmy Bell and the young Huonville Lions who went within a whisker of pulling off the upset of the year. Messages of support from fellow SFL Clubs, former players and representatives of various organizations also meant a lot to the Club with the Cup returning to a district (Huon Valley) that is well known for it's fighting spirit.
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