James Murphy
PORT MACDONNELL 13.14 (92) d KONGORONG 9.8 (62)
THERE was plenty on the line when Kongorong hosted Port MacDonnell on Saturday for Round 2 of Mid South Eastern football.
Anzac Day formalities preceded the A Grade match, while the Bruce Lightbody Memorial Shield was on offer to the winning team and the John Rogers Memorial Medal was given to the best player as judged by the umpires.
On the day it was Kongorong’s Matt Cordy who received the medal, but the Demons claimed the win and with it retained the shield for another year.
It all came down to a rampant first quarter from Port MacDonnell, as the seasiders put in a 41-8 point opener to decide the match.
Rain set in during the second term and the wet conditions levelled the playing field, with the remaining three quarters an even tussle.
However, the damage had been done and the Demons returned home with a 30-point win.
Port MacDonnell coach Josh Woodall was happy with the intensity shown by his team, particularly in the first quarter to set up the day.
“It was pretty competitive,” he said.
“We got the game won in the first quarter and the other three quarters it was an even game.
“It started raining in the second quarter and made it a bit more of a scrap.
“The ball was pretty slippery in the last three quarters.”
He said starting strongly had been a focus during the week and the Demons did just that, piling on six goals to the Hawks’ one by the first break.
“The boys came out and did what we said we were trying to do,” Woodall said.
While Cordy received the John Rogers Medal, for the Bay it was Mark Smith who was judged the top performer.
Playing off the back flank and rotating through the middle, his composure in the wet proved invaluable.
“He was really consistent over the four quarters and when it got wet he was really composed with the football,” Woodall said.
“His composure and his kicking stood out for the three quarters when it is wet.”
Despite the wet conditions, Woodall said the Demons’ talls also impressed.
“Any of our big men could have been best on as well,” he said.
“Will MacDonald had an outstanding game, Tim Sullivan’s first quarter was outstanding and Adam Kuhl had a really good game.”
Sullivan bagged three goals, as did Ned Wilke, while Colby Munro popped up with two majors.
Wade Chant was also solid in defence with plenty of intercept marks, while Munro and Zack Williams wrapped up the best players on the day.
As well as Cordy, Kongorong looked to the likes of Ryan Vickery, Luke McIntyre and Corben O’Dea, while captain Jett Attard led by example with four goals.
This week the Demons face a seaside battle against an in-form Robe, while Kongorong visits Hatherleigh.
