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With two of the youngest sides in the Seniors and Reserves to grace the field for the Port for many years, both sides were keen to get off to a good start to the new season proper.
The Reserves kicked off the year under new Coach Andrew Jurd, full of enthusiasm.
The first quarter of the match was very quick and physical and in the sunny conditions, players of both sides knew they were involved in a footy match.
As the game wore on, Lindisfarne with more options in their forward line and winning the ball from stoppages and a lot of run, set up a healthy lead. While the young Port side never gave up and contested well all day, skill and fitness finally prevailed allowing the Lindisfarne side to kick away after half time to record an easy 77 point victory.
Peter (Mumbles) Roberts put in a lion-hearted display as captain, rucking all day unchanged and putting his body on the line against bigger opponents. Matty Slater was gallant in defence and repelled many Lindisfarne attacks, while Colts player Tom Nichols acquitted himself well and picked up numerous possessions around the ground. Josh Wilcox and Sam Haughland both played well across half-back and on the ball, putting their bodies on the line. Daniel Watson played a lone hand in the forward line and marked extremely well, usually against 3 to 4 opponents and finished the day with 3 goals. The scoreboard was not a true reflection of how the boy’s played, and with the first game under their belt, this side will only improve under Jurder’s experience.
The senior side took to the field knowing that first round points are critical to kick start the season under new coach Pud Darcy, and determined to get the season off to a good start with a local victory. They were quickly placed on the back foot by an improved Lindisfarne side that had obviously come to play. Six goals to two in the first quarter had us playing catch up footy for the rest of the match. At half time the side felt they were still in the contest but had to lift their one on one pressure and stem the run of the Lindisfarne side from their half back line. As the game wore on, the Port had no answer to the relentless run of the Two Blues, and with greater skill and fitness, they kicked away to register a big win to the tune of 87 points. Late injuries in the game did not help our cause, but no excuses, and congratulations to the Lindisfarne Club who with perseverance, have lifted the professionalism of their Club over the last 4 to 5 years to now be a very competitive unit.
For the Port, Rhys Synnott battled valiantly all day and racked up 30 odd possessions in a determined effort, while Daniel Webster, Mitch Direen and Kane Nielsen stemmed many of Lindisfarne’s attacking moves in the backline only to see the ball return as quickly as it was repelled. Matty Creek marked well under pressure and tried to provide drive off his wing, while first-gamer Will Dean tackled and chased hard in a promising senior debut. Goals were hard to come by with Rhys Synnott (2 goals) the Ports only multiple scorer.
While it was not the start Pud and the Club were looking for, there were many positives out of the game, none more so than the return of sky-scraping ruckman Gerard Brereton who acquitted himself well against quality opposition after a lengthy lay off, and Colts player Ben Halton who competed well and finished off a promising senior debut with a goal.
The Club does not hide from the fact that season 2008 will be built around providing the youth of the Club exposure to senior football. This can only assist in relaying the foundations required for the Club moving forward as we rebuild from our glory premiership years. Having said that, we will be out to win every game we compete in, but at the same, must show patience with our youngsters. With the first game done and dusted and the return of additional players expected this week, we look forward to the challenge of facing our arch rivals Huonville on their home ground this Saturday. We are sure that the players will hit back hard and encourage supporters to get behind all 3 sides and get a big crowd to the ground to urge them on. Good luck to “Ejaz” and the Colts for their first game of the season.
After a tough day on the field last Saturday Cygnet Football Club players headed to Pearl Harbor, Waikiki Beach & Honolulu for a Fruit Tingle & Hurricane Daiquiri. A lounge on the beach with a drink in hand & then a groove on the dance floor proved to be just what the doctor ordered for the players that came.
Don’t forget there will be a weigh-in for the biggest loser contestants following the next home game against Channel on the 19th April. Who can resist ‘men in jocks’.
“Support the Port”
Ben Halton.