Premiership star returns for Cygnet as a massive top four clash looms
In a warning to its fellow contenders, Cygnet is only getting stronger despite maintaining a perfect record so far this season. See who will return on Saturday.
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Cygnet will be boosted by a massive return for its contest with premiership contender Dodges Ferry on Saturday.
Playing-coach Lachlan Watt will return to the line-up, playing his first game of the season.
Watt last played in the 2024 grand final win over Lindisfarne.
The midfielder said he is hungry to get back out there.
“My return game this week so I am bloody keen for that,” Watt said.
“We have been battling with injury this year but we are getting closer and closer to full strength which is a really good.”
The Port are coming off three tight contests against Huonville, Sorell and Lindisfarne and now prepare for a fired up Dodges Ferry.
“They have been a real improver since last season, obviously they knocked off Sorell who we played against and only just got over them,” Watt said.
“It shows that Dodges Ferry are doing all the right things and we are really expecting a tough contest.
“We like to play our sort of brand of footy and I guess our brand negates the way other teams play.
“We like to really make sure we win it on the inside and then really focus on our outside game and get it to our outside runners.
“If we can do that and beat teams on the inside and get it to the outside runners then we are pretty confident that brand of footy can stack up against everyone.”
Sharks goal kicking duo, Connor McGee (24 goals) and William Broomhall (16 goals) are leading the way up forward.
Watt said they will need to look at ways to ensure his side can shut them down.
“Those two have started the year really well and kicked some goals in big games which is always a sign of a quality player,” Watt said.
“We will definitely be putting some attention into those two and they will have a designated match up for each of them.”
Dodges Ferry coach Jesse Tegg said he has got some key match ups of his own.
When asked about stopping Cygnet’s Lochie Griggs off half-back, Tegg said he wouldn’t be naming names but someone will go to him.
“We hope that with how we play, he will have to play as that lockdown defender and not have the freedom to run off,” Tegg said.
“He has had a great start to the year and we know how damaging they can be off half back.
“But we are confident that without naming names, our forward six will make sure he doesn’t get that opportunity to run off.
“We have a few out this week and have brought some players up from the twos who are deserving of a spot in the top grade after some pretty good weeks.
“But nothing changes, we are going out there to win, we pride ourselves on our pressure and contest at the footy and this game will be no different, they are the benchmark of the comp and we know we need to be at our best.”
It is a battle of the top-four this weekend with Cygnet (first) taking on Dodges Ferry (fourth) at Shark Park while Huonville Lions (second) will host Sorell (third) at Huonville Oval.
Cygnet are yet to lose a game this season, Huonville are 5-1 ne while Sorell and Dodges Ferry are 4-2.
Sharks and the Port start at 1.30pm on Saturday afternoon with the Lions and the Eagles starts at 2pm.
How Brighton plans to break its duck
- James Bresnehan
Brighton has pinpointed a key element to Kingborough’s game that it hopes to exploit in their clash at the Twin Ovals on Saturday in the hope of winning its maiden game in the SFL Premier League.
Robins’ onballer Jack Tremayne said after a 56-point mauling from the Tigers the first time they met at Pontville Oval in a round three, Brighton has targeted their second meeting as one it could win.
“This is definitely one we’d love to grab,” Tremayne said.
“There’s certain things we can do to make sure the four points come our way.
“Every week is an opportunity for us so this will be another of many.”
The Robins learned a valuable lesson first time around against the Tigers, which they will put to good use this time.
“They are a really fit outfit, and their ball transition from half-back to half-forward is elite when you’ve got great ball-users like Lachie Clifford and Kieran Lovell taking it down to their key forwards,” Tremayne said.
“We know they are a dangerous outfit, but if we can slow their transition and keep our hunt on the footy, it will go a long way.”
Brighton might be yet to break its duck but that has not reduced the Robins’ love of the game.
“The boys are enjoying their football,” Tremayne said.
“In a sense that is probably making us play better football.
“We’re 100 per cent getting closer [to a win] every week, and each week we are improving on out KPIs.
“Last Saturday [against Glenorchy] we had our highest disposal game as a club so far this year and our pressure rating has been through the roof.
“So we working on things that will make us better, and the signs are good.”
Kingborough, the Tasmanian State League premier two years ago, is off to an uncharacteristically average start to the Premier League.
“We’ve tried to keep our environment as mush the same as possible, in terms of our training demands, training loads, what we do with vision and all of those types of things,” said coach Trent Baumeler.
“Having the five ex-TSL clubs in the competition gives us a strong top-to-bottom competition to play in, which is lucky for us.
“So it hasn’t changed too much from the way we think about it or the standards we set.”
Brighton impressed Baumeler with their intensity the first time.
“Their pressure is really strong, they challenge you with how they defend the ground, which we got right out at Pontville on Good Friday,” he said.
“We are expecting another tough contest on Saturday.”