Trevor Jackson
Port MacDonnell 13.11 (89) d Glencoe 4.9 (33)
Port MacDonnell will now focus on the defence of its Mid South East premiership after taking care of business in the final minor round of competition on Saturday.
The Demons faced an in-form Glencoe but ensured they would take the momentum into the first final this weekend with a solid victory on a soggy ground.
There was some talk leading up the game of a transfer due to the state of the playing surface but it all went ahead as planned and the Demons were on task from the first bounce.
Four major scores and four minors provided a 22-point advantage at the first break after the Murphies could only manage one straight goal.
While the scoring dried up somewhat in the second term, the Demons still extended their lead and looked to push on after the long break.
They did just that and added a further four majors, before rounding out the game with three final-quarter goals to run out comfortable victors.
Tim Sullivan kept the scoreboard ticking over, with three majors for the Demons, as did Jake Turner, while Alex Ridding and Kevin Thomson contributed two each.
For the Murphies, only William Maloney managed multiple goals, with two to his name.
It was another game which had no effect on the final standings but one coach Simon Merrett said was an important clash, considering Glencoe’s recent form.
“They have won five on the trot so we didn’t cruise, even knowing our spot was cemented,” he said.
“We thought if we could get over the top of them it would be good form going into finals.
“I thought we were able to do that pretty convincingly which was nice.”
With the Murphies in such strong form leading up to Saturday’s clash, Merrett said it was an ideal hitout on the eve of finals.
“We probably couldn’t have asked for a better opponent,” he said.
“To keep them to four goals and kick 13 was really pleasing given the conditions.”
Merrett said the side’s recent clash with Hatherleigh was disappointing, with a slow start and he looked to change the build-up to the weekend’s clash.
“We put a big emphasis on training and starting the game well on Saturday,” he said.
“We had a good opening quarter then went on with it in the second quarter.
“By half time I felt we were in control.”
Much of that came from the attacking end of the ground but also by limiting Glencoe’s options up forward.
“Finals are won around defence so to keep them to under 40 points was a good effort,” he said.
The Demons will now prepare for the long trip to Robe and the first step in their premiership defence against Mount Burr on Saturday.
