SFL livestream replays: Cygnet takes care of Huonville in battle of the Huon

Finals-bound Cygnet’s top two spot has been secured after a strong win away at Huonville Lions. WATCH the full seniors and reserves replays here.

Cygnet have locked-up second spot on the SFL ladder with a 68-point win over an under-manned Huonville Lions in Saturday’s battle of the Huon.

With both sides chasing ladder-leader Lindisfarne inside the top-four, the Port held firm all day on their home deck to walk away 15.8 (98) to 4.6 (30) victors.

All the action from both the seniors and reserves matches was live streamed here by KommunityTV. Catch up on the full replays above and below.

WATCH THE SENIORS REPLAY ABOVE

After a 109-point mauling at the hands of the Two’ Blues last week, the Lions entered the clash without almost half of its best 22 due to injury and an ill-timed late season holiday.

Yet, they faced just a five-point deficit at the long-break before a four-goal to zero third quarter was able to open up a 30-point lead at the last break for the Port.

The reigning premiers then put their arch rivals to the sword in the last quarter, kicking seven-goals to one to lock away a top-two finish with just one round remaining in the SFL season before finals.

Still missing playing-coach Thor Boscott, vice-captain Joseph Direen stood up when it mattered for the home side, finishing with five goals in a dominant display up-forward while

REPLAY: HUONVILLE v CYGNET (RESERVES)

Zac Curtin finished with three and Benjamin Halton with two.

Benjamin Graham and Jakob Lister were prolific all day for the victors while Lions skipper Rhys Ward battled hard for the Lions throughout the contest.

In other round 17 action, Lindisfarne escaped with a 12.7 (79) to 10.9 (69) win over Dodges Ferry to keep their unbeaten season intact, Hobart overran Claremont to finish 11.8 (74) to 8.10 (58) winners and Sorell defeated an inaccurate Brighton 11.8 (74) to 8.13 (61).

MATCH PREVIEW

A youthful and heavily undermanned Huonville will go into the battle of the Huon on Saturday with a ‘stripped back’ mentality as it looks to regain some confidence after last week’s mauling at the hands of Lindisfarne.

The fourth-placed Lions were beaten by 109 points by the Two Blues and will now face the powerful Port while missing almost half of its best 22 due to a host of injuries and an ill-timed late-season holiday.

James McIndoe of Huonville Lions and James Zeitzen of Cygnet. Photo: Linda Higginson

Lions captain James McIndoe – who will miss the clash with an ankle injury – said his side had to have belief it could win if they were any chance of causing a boil over at home on Saturday.

“It’s always got a finals feel against them and especially two weeks out from finals,” McIndoe said.

“Our thing at the moment is stripping it all back and we talked during the week and said at the end of the day its 22 humans versus 22 other humans.

“There’s a bit of belief that needs to happen upstairs to try and a match the other team otherwise if you go in undefeated you’re never going to win a game of football.

“You can’t go into a contest thinking you’ll get beat so that’s our mindset going into the game.”

With five of their starting 18 missing Saturday’s clash due to a birthday celebration in Brisbane, McIndoe said the club would once again look to its young cubs to fill the void, with two Lions set to make their senior debut.

“We’ve got a few out this week as we’ve had all year and so we’ve got a few young blokes playing,” McIndoe said.

James McIndoe of Huonville Lions Photo: Linda Higginson

“We are quite youthful this week and a few debutants and we’ve been grabbing guys from our colts this year rather than of the reserves which is great for the future of the club and gives them a chance to play at a higher level.

“Again this week they’ll be tasked with that job of filling the role of a senior footy player and we’ll see how they go and hopefully they enjoy it and are better for the experience.

“Tom Jacobs makes his senior debut and Connar Walker who has played seniors at Claremont but his first senior game here.”

James Zeitzen of Cygnet. Photo: Linda Higginson

Cygnet spearhead James Zeitsen- who will also be out with a hand injury- said the Port couldn’t afford to be complacent heading into the clash as they strive for back to back flags.

“We just have to treat it as any other game and any time we play them it always seems to be close contest with a such a big rivalry and despite the team put on the park it’s a pretty good tussle.

“We tasted it [premiership success] last year and how good it was so it’s given us a bit more drive this year now we know what it feels like and we want to do it again.”

Both clubs will wear a special Indigenous jumper for the clash due to an initiative from the Lions that started last season.