By Trevor Jackson
THE South East men’s zone footballers returned from the Country Championships at Victor Harbor with mixed results.
The men failed to make the final playoff game and finished fifth from the six teams.
A slow start in Friday night’s game saw the SE team play catch-up football and almost pulled off an impressive victory.
However, they went down to the Eyre Peninsula by two points.
From there they faced a tough Central side, where they lost by 17 points.
They were then out of contention for the championship game, but that did not stop the side from putting in a solid performance to record a 19-point win over Northern to round out the carnival on Sunday.
For coach Nick Davis it was a disappointing weekend, but one that provided plenty of positives along the way.
“We were a bit slow to start on Friday night, which cost us in the end,” he said.
“We came home pretty hard and probably could have stolen it.
“We played better on Saturday against a good side, then we finished Sunday with a good win, so overall I think we performed pretty well.”
There were several differences in the other zone sides, as the SE took six Under 21 players along, rather than the four required.
Davis said he thought the young players performed well and justified their inclusion.
He said there were also many players who could have made a big difference, but did not put their hands up to play.
“Some of the other leagues, you get suspended for two games if you don’t make yourself available,” Davis said.
“We don’t have that stipulation in the South East.
“We had probably 50 people make themselves unavailable, especially the big names in the KNT we could have had access to.
“We missed Clint Gallio who was injured and Cal Curry decided not to make himself available, so I think we just lacked a little bit of top-end talent.”
Those who did make themselves available certainly stood out, with two of the players making the team of the carnival.
“Campbell Watts from Kingston was named back pocket in the team of the carnival and Troy Blackwell from Bordertown was named on the wing,” Davis said.
“Campbell Watts was our player of the carnival.
“He played down back, but we had a couple of injuries from Saturday, so we put him in the middle on Sunday and he played well.
“I thought Daniel Bibby was pretty stiff not to make the team of the carnival.
“He had a good weekend in the middle.
“Patrick Chay showed some promising signs.
“He had a good game against Central on Saturday and was good on Sunday.
“He showed some good talent, good jumping at the ball and clean marking.
“He is going to be one to watch in the future.
“Billy Wiese has just turned 19 and kicked a goal in every game, plus two on Saturday.
“He had a good carnival for someone who was borderline making the team.
“Kade Bradley down back and Sam Wallis were really solid all weekend as well.”
Davis said the pace of the competition would surprise a few people.
He said some people he had spoken to suggested it was faster than the Reserves grade of the SANFL.
Taking that into account, the performance of the SE team was solid.
“Friday night was as hot a game as I have seen,” Davis said.
“Once you aren’t in contention any more it is about trying to test yourself against some good opposition and see where you are at as a footballer.
“For a lot of the players it will be the highest level they ever play, so it is still an achievement to go away and play at that level.”
At the end of the day Davis said it was a great competition for the young footballers and anyone involved.
He also noted the effort that goes into organsing such a carnival.
“A big thank you has to go to to Scott Duncan and all the assistants,” Davis said.
“It is all well and good for the players and the coaches to go away, but you have the trainers and support staff as well.
“It is a lot of work and Scott Duncan organises it, but it is a great thing for the young kids to test themselves.
“It is a huge achievement to be playing at that level.”
