A 13-goal haul by captain Joseph Direen sets a tone for the season ahead

Cygnet have put the competition on notice after a huge win in its opening round match against Claremont and it could well and truly be a better side than last year. Here’s why.

Luke Ashlin Cygnet. SFL grand final 2024 – Cygnet V Lindisfarne. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The Southern Football League Community Competition has been put on notice after Cygnet storms into the season with a jaw-dropping opening scoreline.

Last years premiers claimed the four points kicking 41.32 (278) to Claremont’s 1.0 (6).

The cricket like scoreline came off the back of captain Joseph Direen who booted 13 goals.

Coach Lachy Watt said it was good to see things come together.

“We have worked a lot on a few areas and our game plan during the pre-season,” Watt said.

“So to have our game style come to play and being able to see it in a game was really pleasing.

Cygnet captain Joseph Direen kicked 13 goals in the SFL Community League opening round match against Claremont. Picture: David Clark

“It was one of those games and when you happen to get a contest that is one sided you get the chance to be able to see your game style in full force.

“Big Joey had a great day out in front of goals.

“To kick 13 is a pretty big effort, I think that’s the most he has kicked in a game.

“I don’t think many people would beat that but you never know.”

The Port had 15 different goal scorers with 10 of those kicking two goals or more.

Jakob Lister kicked four, with Toby Cowen, Lochie Griffs and James Zeitzen all kicking three.

Jakeb Nikel was the only goal kicker for the Magpies.

Magpies coach Nathan Senior said there were no excuses for the loss.

“We had a few players pull out before the game, that isn’t the reason why we lost the way we did,” Senior said.

“But there were some positives to take out of it as well.

“I thought our third quarter we started to play a bit of our game style and just created a bit of run.

“One of the positive things is the players just stuck around each other, even after the game, they hung out at the bar together, went back to the club together and that shows real maturity to stick it out as a group.

“The players have identified where we need to be, the level of fitness and skills and it is great to see them identifying all of that together.

“We will be a lot better against Sorell in a couple of weeks, I promise you that.”

Earlier in the women’s matchup, Claremont have begun their 2025 season the way they finished 2024, in winning form.

Keeping the Port women’s goalless, the Magpies ran out 4.18 (42) to 0.3 (3).

While last years runners up looked just as hungry to go one further in 2025.

Hutchins kept University goalless as well, with a massive 12.11 (83) to 0.1 (1) win at home.

While in the reserves, Cygnet ran out winners 15.9 (99) to Claremont 3.2 (20).

‘No pressure on us’: Claremont look to end seven-year Cygnet hoodoo

Cygnet are anticipating a much tighter clash in its opening round match against last year’s wooden spooners, Claremont.

It is last years premiers taking on a team which didn’t win a game in 2024 but the Magpies have recruited strongly which Cygnet coach Lachy Watt said his side was paying attention to.

“We have noticed they have been picking up some players during the off season,” Watt said.

“They look a lot stronger this year than they did last year on paper, just looking at the team list there are a few new names on there.

Reigning premiers, Cygnet, take on last year’s wooden spooners, Claremont, in the opening game of the SFL Community League season. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“It will make for an exciting match, I know the boys are just keen to get out there.

“It is one of those things, we put in all the effort and hard work during the pre-season to get to round one and now it is here.”

Playing at home for the first game of the year, Cygnet will unveil their 2024 flag at halftime of the reserves game.

There has been some massive blowouts in recent times between Cygnet and Claremont, with Port being the dominant side.

You have to go back to round 1 in 2018 for the last time Claremont tasted victory over Cygnet.

Claremont look to break a seven year hoodoo against Cygnet. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

But the Magpies have recruited heavily over the summer with the inclusion of six players from Premier League side Glenorchy.

Magpies coach Nathan Senior said there is no pressure on his side.

“We are going down there to win,” Senior said.

“It is pretty much a whole new side, we have three players who played for us last year.

“Those boys have really got around each other during pre-season and put in the work and they are just super pumped to get out there.

“They have been the benchmark for such a long time and we respect that but the boys are hungry, they are ready to go and just super excited to get out there.”

Bounce down of the Community League’s opening game is at 2pm at Cygnet Oval.

Originally published as A 13-goal haul by captain Joseph Direen sets a tone for the season ahead