By Trevor Jackson
Port MacDonnell 10.7 (67) d Hatherleigh 3.6 (24)
A wintery blast over the weekend provided less-than-ideal conditions for sporting fixtures across the Limestone Coast, which was never more evident than at Port MacDonnell.
The Demons hosted Hatherleigh in Round 8 of Mid South East football, in a match expected to provide plenty of entertainment between the second-placed Eagles and third-placed Port MacDonnell.
The Demons seem to settle more as the weeks go by in its premiership defence and claimed a huge scalp on Saturday, a feat no other side has been able to achieve so far in 2022.
It was the Eagles’ first loss of the season and put the league on notice that the Demons are right in the contest again this year.
The Eagles have been one of two sides that appeared untouchable – along with Kalangadoo – until but came up against a determined Demons side down at the Bay.
The Demons used their refurbished home ground to advantage and were on top early in a low-scoring first term, leading 2.4 (16) to 1.3 (9).
That first term provided a little insight into how the game would pan out but few would have tipped such a big win against a tough Eagles’ roster.
In the second quarter the Demons opened the game up, holding Hatherleigh scoreless while adding a further four goals and two behinds to lead by a healthy 33 points at the main break.
Any thoughts of a resurgence from the Eagles was dashed in the third term, as the Demons added a further three majors, while Hatherleigh offered little in response.
The Eagles found some opportunities in the final term but it was too little, too late as Port MacDonnell had built enough of a buffer to run out comfortable victors.
It was a huge win for the Demons, having lost a large contingent of last year’s premiership team.
It has taken some time to settle into the season but Port MacDonnell is now clear of Robe in third place, nipping at the heels of the Eagles in second.
On a tough day for big men, Tim Sullivan bucked the trend and kicked four majors for the victors, Jake Turner added three and Alex Ridding two.
