Rhys Jennings to pull on Port jumper for the 300th time in Huon blockbuster SFL semi
Cygnet skipper Rhys Jennings couldn’t have landed a better day to reach a major individual milestone, with the Port locking horns with Huonville for a spot in the SFL grand final on the line
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WITH a SFL grand final spot on the line against their arch rivals, Cygnet doesn’t need any extra motivation for Saturday’s second semi-final against Huonville.
But the Port will be desperate to honour club captain Rhys Jennings’ major milestone in the perfect fashion by transferring their regular season form into the cauldron of finals.
Jennings will play his 300th match for Cygnet against the reigning premiers, having made his debut in the colts in 2003 and being blooded in the seniors aged just 15 against the Central Hawks.
“It feels pretty good, I have got there reasonably quick but the last couple of years I have had a few injuries,” Jennings said of his looming milestone.
“It is funny how it falls against them, but that’s just the way it goes.”
The Port finished two games clear on the top of the ladder to earn the first week bye, but run into a Lions outfit which brushed aside fellow challenger Lindisfarne in the qualifying final.
Jennings has never played in a premiership during his career with Cygnet — last year’s grand final defeat was the closest he has been — and while the 2021 version of the side appears better placed, he knows the hard work is only just beginning.
“Last year we found out how hard they are to win but hopefully we can go one step further this year.
“It’s hard not to think about it [last year’s defeat], we have had a good year to date but we don’t want to live in the past as such now.
“The guys have freshened right up and after a few niggling injuries we should be back to full strength so there might be a few tough calls at the selection table.
“They [Huonville] were pretty red hot on Saturday so we are going to have to be at our best to beat them.”
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