General News
9 June, 2022
Camperdown valiant in defeat
CAMPERDOWN Magpies came agonisingly close to stealing the win from Hamilton at home on Saturday but couldn’t complete the comeback, going down 8.12 (60) to the Kangaroos 10.11 (71).
CAMPERDOWN Magpies came agonisingly close to stealing the win from Hamilton at home on Saturday but couldn’t complete the comeback, going down 8.12 (60) to the Kangaroos 10.11 (71).
The Magpies had an impressive first period, going up four goals to one but conceding two goals late in the quarter to lead by six points at the first break.
The Kangaroos imposed themselves on the scoreboard in the second quarter, kicking three goals to none to go into the half-time break five points in front.
After a hard-fought third term Camperdown trailed by 14 points, but lifted in the last to get within two points of the visitors, but a string of unfortunate injuries left the Magpies’ bench too short to maintain the comeback.
Hamilton withstood the assault and eventually ran away with the game, kicking the last two goals to seal an 11-point victory.
Camperdown coach Neville Swayn spoke last week about wanting to see improvements in his side’s consistency, and despite the result said his players had delivered against Hamilton.
“In terms of what we worked on during the week and what we wanted to achieve with our play, it was a lot better,” he said.
“We didn’t have those lapses we’ve been having, so that was pleasing, but we’re still disappointed we gave ourselves an opportunity to win the game and just couldn’t get acrossthe line.”
Charlie Lucas and Harry Sumner both exited the game in the second half with concussions, while Zach Anderson was forced from the field in the last quarter with a bad corky, and Swayn said those withdrawals were a factor in the loss.
“We were within two points and had all the momentum, the boys’ effort was huge. It’s no excuse, but those injuries left us with no bench,” he said.
Tim Fitzgerald and Zach Sinnott each contributed two goals for the home side, while Cameron Spence was best on ground for the Magpies.
“Cameron had a super game, he’s in really good form,” Swayn said.
“I think he had 37, 38 touches, he was really consistent all day. He put in a huge workload.”
Swayn also praised the efforts of 25 year-old backman Jarrod Evans.
“It was Jarrod’s best game for the year, he defended really well, took some good marks. We got a lot of attack from the back half from him,” he said.
Camperdown gets no respite this week, travelling to Bushfield to face flag favourites North Warrnambool.
“It doesn’t get much harder than playing North at North,” Swayn said.
“It’s a big challenge, and obviously we’ve got a couple of forced changes to make with Charlie and Harry out with the concussion rules.
“But we have to go in with the attitude that we’ve got nothing to lose against a really good side.
“As long as we can continue with the improvements we made last week, we’ll see what happens.
“It’ll just depend on how well we can defend and be consistent with our pressure, that’s the challenge for us.”
