Cygnet claim 2023 SFL premiership with almighty comeback over Huonville Lions

They went in as overriding underdogs but after producing a grand final fightback for the ages, Cygnet ended the day as premiers. See the details.

Cygnet celebrate winning the 2023 SFL premiership. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

It will be remembered as one of the all-time grand final comebacks with Cygnet ending the Huonville Lions undefeated run to be crowned SFL senior premiers for 2023 on Saturday at North Hobart Oval.

In a game that had to be seen to be believed, the Port turned around a 31-point quarter time deficit with a second-half performance that is sure to go down in both club and competition folklore and be remembered as one of the great contests at the spiritual home of footy.

The ultimate underdogs kicked ten goals to one in the final two quarters to win the game 14.14 (98) to 9.8 (62) – a 67-point turnaround.

Thor Boscott was enormous for Cygnet and was named the Gorringe-Martin medallist as best afield. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Cygnet playing coach Thor Boscott was named the Gorringe-Martin medallist as the best afield with his influence across the entire contest, especially the third-quarter when skipper Lachlan Watt went down with what’s believed to be a broken collarbone, a standout.

“To come back from that margin today really shows the character of this team,” Boscott said.

“They (Huonville) gave us a really good contest. They’ve been the benchmark all season, undefeated, but we stuck to our game plan and got the job done.”

Along with Boscott, Dartaynan Bantick (three goals) was enormous up forward and kicked crucial goals to give his side the momentum while the Cowen clan – Elijah, Toby (two goals), and 16 year-old Jesse (one) – were instrumental in the win.

While it was Bantick’s last quarter goal that gave Cygnet the lead for the first time in the game at the eight minute mark, it was the set-up by the youngest Cowen in the middle of the ground that will long be remembered.

After he kicked the last goal of the third term to cut the margin back to three points, Cowen produced a remarkable second-effort around 10 minutes later to win the footy back and ensure he would be remembered as a grand final hero.

Elijah Cowen (Cygnet) and Brady Jones (Huonville Lions) do battle. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Heading in as overriding favourites, the Lions slammed on five unanswered goals to begin the game but could only manage three more across the next three quarters.

In dangerous signs early, the tall timber of Michael Paul (three goals), Mitch Walker (two), Daniel Archer (one) and livewire small Ethan Brock (one) all hit the scoreboard in the first quarter before their influence was largely snuffed out by an undersized Cygnet defence.

Nathan Duggan had what seemed to be the impossible task of stopping Paul in his 200th club game but the plucky and courageous defender managed to keep the man mountain to just one goal after quarter-time.

“I was thinking it was going to be (a) 100-point (loss), Duggan said.

“But that’s the biggest win in the club’s history, easily.”

After losing last year’s decider to the undefeated Lindisfarne, Cygnet’s win ensured it wasn’t a case of lightning striking twice for the Power and leaving the Lions ruing the chance to cap off a perfect season.