United leagues trial matches
Ungarra
Great Flinders, Eyre United and Eastern Eyre's Ports Football clubs had a very successful trial game on Saturday April 5. More than 90 cars of players and supporters entered the Ungarra sports complex grounds to play junior and senior colts and a senior game of football while on the courts one junior grade and two senior grades played.
The Ports club who are celebrating their 100th season are very pleased with the excitement and renewed energy the milestone has generated. President Shane Malcolm believes the senior player list has doubled this year with 60 senior players named for insurance purposes. The Eyre United football club although not with high numbers are confident of having a very competitive and successful year. A bold decision to appoint joint A Grade coaches Mark Fraser and Damien Evans has worked very well preseason and they have recruited strongly from Port Lincoln which is vital to the club continuing as local numbers dwindle.
Fine weather with light cloud and a gentle North West breeze made for a perfect spectator day but possibly a little warm for some under trained players. Ports coach Darrell Stratford (Fizza) was quoted to be very pleased with the condition of the oval and grounds and as groundsman for Ungarra he should be pleased.
First game up was the senior colts this was quite a competitive game and quite even up to half time, overall size and experience being the difference Ports Luke Malcolm, Brett Bray, Brook Newton Tom Davey and Chris Baines look to be the foundation of the 2008 team. While the Saints have not had any run of winning games for several seasons coach Ryan Modra would be feeling very confident of turning that around with the way Tate Garnaut, Nick Gale, Drew Liddicoat and Max Baldissera were supported by the large influx from last years mini's and other recruits.
The senior game started with Ports grabbing first use of the ball but they missed the next two shots at goal, returning recruit Matt Parker put the first of his two for the quarter on the board for the Saints. The game took some time to gain momentum as the players got their heads around how they would approach a so-called friendly game. Some good body work and tackling soon aroused some passion and pride, the game sparked spectator interest as late goals to Ports Cade Hartwig and young gun Leinert almost had the scores level.
After the break the Saints were first to get into their game plan Luke Tonkin was being very successful in ruck and allowing Ryan Modra, Noble and Castley to deliver to the Saint's big men Frazer and Pugsley who slotted three goals one for the quarter. Fizza's move of Nathan Carrick to ruck immediately took effect and Beefy allowed the ball to get to ground Kane Schubert, Travis Bates Kalon Hartwig and captain Cade Hartwig all took a hand in restoring the deficit and Ports poured on four straight which showed the depth they have this year with still 8-10 top sting players to come into their side. Fizza was leading by example and Trent Bates was picking up kicks at will as the Saints forward structure under took some experimentation. Saints10-8 Ports 7-5
The half time break saw the return of minis football it was great to see three girls having a go Paige Montgomery looked very skilful but Sidney Masters will be a stand out for Ports, Matty Simpson, Nic Daws and Lachlan Gale will have their chance this year to lead a very young line up.
The second half started with the saints usually named players taking a hand Pugsley to Foster to Fraser until roving the back of the pack Justin Modra pops up with a goal his first ever in senior football after 13 years service in the back lines. Just to reinforce the point that back man can kick straight he stole a second six pointer but when he hit the post from five metres his return to full back is likely. Ports younger players Tyson Bray, Aaron and Ben Leahy, Dylan Cox and Ben Lienert were putting in stellar efforts showing that they don't want to be overlooked this season.
The trial game played in good spirit, was good to watch, free flowing clean footy but I won't under state the commitment of body shown by both sides this was a genuine lead up game in the preparations for both sides to start the season off with some match fitness. Umpires Bill Redding and Jason Anesbury also enjoyed the run.
Eyre United 3-3 10-8 14-11 18-17 (125)
Ports 3-2 7-5 11-7 12-7 (79)
Goals - Eyre United: A. Castley 5, B. Pugsley 4, J. Modra 3, M. Fraser, D. Noble, C. Yager. Ports: C. Hartwig 4, A. Lienert 2, J. Clem, A. Shepherd, J.Peters, D. Stratford, N. Carrick , K. Hartwig.
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