The Cygnet Football Club travelled to Huonville last Saturday with high expectations against its arch rival the Lions, but returned to the Port empty handed apart from a great fist up win for the young Colts side. “Ejaz” had his boys primed for a red hot go at the young Lions.

The youngsters had been training well on the track and transferred this into their match. After a quick goal in the first few minutes, apart from switching off for a period in the third quarter, they never looked like being headed all day. They received great drive from the centre with Loic Auderset dominating the rucking duels and Sam Dean pumping the ball into a lively forward line containing Jeremy Duggan, Max Carter and Joe Shields. The backline was stoic in its defence with Tommy Slevin and Tom Nichols continually rebounding the ball to the Ports running brigade. The young lions never gave up and hit back at the Port in the third quarter, but the boy’s composed themselves to go on and win by 67 points. The Port was best served by the classy Ben Halton who displayed silky skills, Jeremy Duggan and Sam Dean. Others to play well were Tommy Nichols, Joe Shields and Loic Auderset. A number of the boy’s got amongst the goals with full forward Max Carter bagging 4, and Jeremy Duggan and Joe Shields the other major contributors with 3 each. A great win, and hopefully this young group can go onto better things this season.

The Reserves, hit by injuries to the Senior side, looked like struggling for numbers initially, but thanks to a number of Colts players stepping up and playing two games, eventually took to the ground with a full side. They were hard at it early and took the game right up to the energetic Lions, but with a number of players struggling for fitness, started to slip behind on the scoreboard. Marcus Synnott, Nathan Clark and Peter Roberts were consistent all day for the Port, but lacked support from their teammates as the game wore on. However, they battled valiantly till the end of the game, but were no match for the Lions who went on to record a big 99 point victory. As mentioned, better players on the day included Marcus Synnott, Nathan Clark and Peter Roberts. Matty Dance was lively in his first game, while Josh Wilcox and Sam Haughland battled hard in a busy backline. Goals were hard to find with Jason Clark the only multiple scorer with two.

The Senior side was hell-bent on a much improved performance than round one, and considered themselves a chance against the Lions on their home ground. Apart from the first six or seven minutes of the first quarter, that was quickly dispelled as the Lions wrestled control and steamed out of the blocks with a 9 goal first term. We did not help our cause through undisciplined acts of play with 50 and 100 metre penalties contributing to 4 easy goals for the Lions. Then, if that wasn’t enough, they then banged on 10 goals to 2 in the second quarter to ensure the game was well and truly beyond reach by half-time. The young Cygnet side was going in hard for the ball, but had no match for the relentless run of the Lions, or for their key forwards in Joyce and McGregor who were dominating. With silky consistent delivery they had a field day against an over-worked backline led by Daniel Webster, Mitch Direen and Kane Nielsen-Duggan. While we played a little better in the second half, by this time the Lions had taken their foot of the accelerator, but to our credit, we fought the game out to the end. While injuries again marred our Senior players, no excuses are offered against a well-coached and skilful Lions outfit. In a disappointing performance, Matty Creek was the Ports best player and continued his stellar form with a solid display on his wing, while Rhys Synnott again worked hard around the ground with too little support. Coach “Pud” Darcy tried hard to lift his young side and Billy Lamprill was in everything till sustaining a game ending injury. Aaron Creek, whether in the forward line or in the ruck worked tirelessly for little reward. Perhaps the best find for the Port was Colts player Adam Duggan, who showed great composure and maturity for one so young, with an impressive senior debut across the half backline. Starting on the bench he impressed those present at the ground with his aerial skills and determination at ground level, to go on and become one of the Ports best players. Well done Adam!! This at least shows that even on the gloomiest of days that positives can still be found for the Club! With a very young list, the Seniors and the Reserves will hopefully improve in the weeks to come.

This week we welcome the Channel Saints to our home ground and look forward to taking up battle with former Cygnet player/coach and now Channel coach, Tony Marchant. Hopefully, we will witness three matches that in the Reserves and Seniors should prove closer on the scoreboard and encourage supporters to get along and cheer all three sides on to victory. The Club wishes the Cygnet Mini League the best of luck with their sojourn into the STJFL this season. While first round scores indicate that it is a very strong league, it will provide the future of our Club to play against the best young players in the south of the state, and as Huonville has been able to demonstrate, eventually the new structure will hopefully settle down. Supporters are reminded to be present for the “Biggest Loser” weigh in at the Clubrooms this Saturday night.