Magpies win opener in style
• Among the new players to debut on Saturday were Brad Tuffin, Mitchell Bennett, Jasper Krushka, Kyle Lanham and Jack Lanham
By Peter Fish,
April 14, 2021
Scottsdale began its 2021 season with a promising seven goal victory over 2019 premiers Hillwood in cool and blustery conditions.
Coach Ethan Petterwood was understandably pleased with the outcome, but warned his players that they still had plenty of work to do.
“It was great that we had such a good win but at the same time we know there are aspects of our game where we have to get better,” he said.
The Magpies fielded 10 new players and were slow to get into stride. A goal after the siren by debutante Jasper Krushka had them in front at quarter time, and they built on that advantage for the rest of the match culminating in a four goal final quarter which put Hillwood to the sword.
Newcomer Brad Tuffin was on top at centre bounces and ball-ups but the Magpie midfielders failed to take full advantage of his dominance in the ruck, especially in the first half. And in attack the forwards found it hard to lock the ball in their zone allowing the Hillwood defenders to clear it with little pressure.
But as the match progressed the Magpies got better. Kicking skills improved and the forwards found space and scoring became more frequent.
There were no real stand-outs but in the back half the dependable duo of Jacob Singline and Bradley Whish-Wilson rarely made a mistake. Connor Young took several intercept marks and will only improve at centre half back, while Daniel Goss was strong in the clinches.
In attack the Lanham brothers, both recruited from North Launceston, booted seven goals between them. Jack, the younger of the pair, had to leave the ground in the third term with a shoulder injury and hopefully will make a speedy recovery.
Brady Gee, who played just one game last year, was influential and he always puts the ball to good advantage.
Ethan Petterwood had plenty of possessions out of the middle but even he turned the ball over a few times, and as good as Tuffin was he is going to need more support in the ruck.
However, a 42-point victory in the first game of the season is not to be sneezed at especially given the team had 10 new faces.
The Reserves looked good early but were overrun by a younger, quicker opposition and were eventually beaten by 34 points. They led by a point at half time but failed to kick a goal after that while conceding six to Hillwood.
Liam Hall and Willy Lloyd played their best games for the club, vice captain Jordan Harper worked hard all day, while Alex Stevens, Brodie Davis and Lee Nichols showed there is no substitute for experience.
As Hillwood does not have an Under 18 team, there were only two matches on Saturday.
Next week the men have a bye, while the women’s team will play in a gala day at George Town at 2.45pm.
SCORES
Seniors.
Scottsdale 12.11 (83) d Hillwood 5.11 (41)
Goals:
K Lanham 4, J Lanham 3, B Gee 2, Z Kerrison, J Krushka, L Young
Best:
J Singline, B Whish-Wilson, E Petterwood, B Tuffin, J Lanham, K Lanham
Reserves:
Hillwood 9.7 (61) d Scottsdale 3.9 (27)
Goals:
S Baker, L Nichols, K Wilson
Best:
L Hall, W Lloyd, A Stevens, B Davis,
J Harper, L Nichols