General News
23 April, 2021
Magpies preparing for South challenge
AN early season test against a side tipped as this year’s grand finalist awaits Camperdown tomorrow (Saturday).
AN early season test against a side tipped as this year’s grand finalist awaits Camperdown tomorrow (Saturday).
The Magpies are set to head to Friendly Societies Park to face South Warrnambool.
The Roosters have been one of the competition’s most talked about sides in 2021 after a strong recruiting drive lured ex-AFL talent Ricky Henderson, Josh Saunders and Louis Herbert to the club alongside a number of returning faces.
Saunders and Herbert have previously played at South and have returned alongside the likes of James Hussey and Joe Dalton.
Despite falling to powerhouse Koroit on Good Friday, the Roosters have won its past two matches to set-up a mouth-watering clash against the Magpies.
Camperdown is also coming off successive victories, having defeated Terang Mortlake and Cobden in the past fortnight.
Magpies coach Neville Swayn said his side was looking forward to taking on South.
“They’re (South) getting close to full strength with the Rebels kids now available. But it’s going to be a really good challenge for the boys,” he said.
“We’re really looking forward to it and to see where we are at against a top two side in the competition.
“It’ll be a good challenge for us and it’ll be a good opportunity to also play in the day as well.
“As good as it was to play under lights at home, it’ll be good to have some day footy and normality now.”
The Magpies produced a strong effort to dispose of the Bombers in the first ever night match at Leura Oval last Saturday.
The home side led at quarter time and the main change, and was forced to withstand a second half challenge from Cobden in the third quarter.
However, returning forward Sam Gordon, ruckman Will Rowbottom and winger Judah Dundon ensured the Magpies responded in the final term, with Camperdown running out 11.17 (83) to 6.12 (48) victors.
“Obviously it was a battle for three and a half quarters but it was good the way we finished,” Swayn said.
“There’s a lot of positives out of that but we also know there is still a lot of work to do for us to play our best footy.
“It was good to get the result despite not playing our best, but our fitness and our willingness to work hard probably showed out in the end.”
Swayn was delighted with the return of Gordon, who was named the Magpies best player.
The key forward kicked seven goals.
“He was pretty impressive,” Swayn said.
“He gives us a focal point up forward and the boys have got the confidence to know that if he doesn’t happen to mark it, he is going to make a contest which brings our small forwards and high half-forwards into it.
“I think he kicked 7.5 and two hit the post but he got a lot of looks which was good.
“He’s probably going to receive some attention now from opposition clubs.”
Swayn also praised Dundon and Rowbottom, two of his defenders and on-baller for their performances.
“Our back six were good, especially Brendan Richardson and Billy Arnold early on,” he said.
“I thought Judah’s second half was really good, Rowy was important once again in the ruck and Fraser Lucas was probably our most consistent on-baller on the night.”
In the lower grades, the reserves extended its winning start with a 10.11 (71) to 2.3 (15) victory.
Tim Fitzgerald (four goals) was among the Magpies best as was Luke Clarke (three goals), Mitch Walsh, Devon Coates, Luke O’Neil and Charlie Brett.
The under 18.5s suffered a 13.7 (85) to 5.1 (31) defeat despite the best efforts of Archie McBean, Ned Payne, Charlie Conheady, James O’Neil and Dom Absalom.
