Magpies hang on to win thriller

•  Magpie captain Joey Robinson boots a goal in a first quarter.

By Peter Fish,
April 06, 2022

In front of a huge crowd and a sparkling, new electronic scoreboard, footy returned to Scottsdale, but it took until the final match before the Magpies could record a win - and what a game it was!

In the senior match Scottsdale kicked with a strong breeze favouring the grandstand end, but while they booted four goals Rocherlea replied with three and took the honours in a combative opening term.

Former Bridport players Joe Krushka, Josh Nunn, Liam Arnold, and Cody Kerrison were welcomed into the senior line up which was missing a significant number of regulars through injury and Covid related issues.

In the second quarter the Magpies did well against the wind, and with key forwards Chev Deacon and Daniel Berry prominent they managed three majors and the defence led by Jack Lanham and first gamer Warrick Hall limited Rocherlea to only three.

The difference was a goal at half time and coach Ethan Petterwood called on his team to maintain their pressure and discipline, and they followed his instructions to the letter.

With the wind at their back and an increasingly boisterous tent full of ladies in full voice, the Magpies slammed on a further four goals and went to the final break with a very handy 20 point margin.

But despite the wind dying out, Rocherlea found another gear in the last quarter and began to pepper the goals. Holton was back to his best at full forward for the city Tigers and he had a chance to put them in front in the closing minutes of a very tense final term. But he missed, and when Cody Kerrison "milked' a 50m penalty which was then doubled the siren sounded as Kerrison calmly booted his second from right in front.

The Magpies had held on to win by seven points.

It was a relieved crowd of supporters who trotted back to fill the bar, but there was plenty to take out of the win. 

With Whish-Wilson, Singline, Tuffin, Bennett, Barnett and Saville all unavailable through injury or Covid, it was a gutsy performance.

Deacon had a day out at full forward, and the newcomers will only improve. 

Young ruckman Liam Arnold, and defender Warrick Hall had impressive debuts, and the experience of Petterwood, Krushka, Barnes and Robinson was vital in a close match.

After the game Petterwood told his players that it was not the way he wanted the team to win.

"But we can only get better, and with the depth we have now you are all going to have to work hard to earn your spot," he said.

And in a telling response, Connor Young urged his team mates to celebrate humbly.

"We haven't won a grand final. Let's keep a lid on it," he said.

The women opened proceedings and were under the pump early when Bridgenorth booted three early goals with the wind, and the Magpies struggled from that point on especially in the front half.

The team has plenty of midfield runners, but similar to last year it is still lacking a goal-kicking forward.

Newcomer Kaitlyn Courto was their sole goalkicker, while Maddy Reid, Alex Hall and Keeley Lester won plenty of possession inside.

A match-up next week at Hillwood will give the girls a chance to open their account.

The Reserves also benefitted from the unfortunate demise of Bridport and once the players become more familiar with each other, better results will come.

They were beaten but not disgraced. Sam McDougall had a great game in defence, and first gamer Scott Fenton is another who will be knocking on the door of senior selection.

The Whelan cousins Joshua and Jakob enjoyed the chance to play together, while small forward Kyle Wilson was back to his goalkicking best with three.

The Under 18s, still struggling for players, were beaten by a team which included a host of former North Launceston players.

Club president Cameron Moore and coaches James Hayward, Tony Saunders and Brad Tuffin have worked tirelessly to recruit players for this team, and with several more to be registered this week, the future looks brighter.

Regular Riley Probert was the stand-out player, while debutantes Jake Brown, George Davies, Callum Fulton, Kye Hall and Liam Saunders made good impressions.

The first home game of the season proved to be a most successful day for the club. Rocherlea has the largest group of supporters in the NTFA who are prepared to travel, and they came in big numbers on Saturday supporting their own team, but also Scottsdale's kiosk and bar.

Club president Cameron Moore thanked them after the game which was Scottsdale's only night game of the season.

On Saturday the Under 18s have the bye, while the remaining three teams head to Hillwood.