Heart rates rise

CAMPERDOWN’S senior footballers fell short in a gallant comeback attempt against the league-leading Roosters over the weekend.

By wd-news

The Magpies held their nerve early in the match with a tightly contested 2.0.12 lead over South Warrnambool 1.3.9.

The second quarter would spell disaster for Camperdown as the visiting Roosters were able to slot four majors and four minors to carry a 5.7.37 lead over the home squad’s 3.1.19 in to the half.

The resilient Magpies emerged from the sheds in no mood to go away quietly.

The home team rattled off three majors while stifling South Warrnambool’s attack, cutting the deficit to just six at heading in to the final quarter.

The remainder of the game was a back-and-forth between the sides, with South Warrnambool able to edge out the Magpies despite flashes of an impressive comeback win.

Final score Camperdown Magpies 9.6.60 defeated by South Warrnambool Roosters 9.11.65.

Magpies coach Neville Swayn said he would have loved to see a win but was proud his side had given themselves a chance against an unbeaten top side.

“We can take a lot of positives out of it, there was times during the course of the game where they looked on top and could have blown us away,” he said.

“I’m really proud of the boys.

“They dug in, hung in there and in the last quarter we really gave ourselves a chance being all over them the last four or five minutes.

“It’s disappointing, but there are a lot of positives to take away from the performance.”

Best players for the Magpies were Sidney Bradshaw, Sam Gordon, Eric Guthrie, William Rowbottom, Harry Sumner and Hamish Sinnott.

“The most pleasing thing over the last three or four weeks is we’re seeing an even spread across the team, not just relying on three or four players,” Swayn said.

“Eric Guthrie was really good for us in the middle though, and Sam Gordon was a really good focal point for us up forward.

“But what stood out to me was we had a good spread of strong performances across the board.”

The Pies will look to build on their good form this weekend with another home game in this Saturday’s clash with the Portland Tigers.

“We’re going from one extreme to the other; a top, unbeaten team one week to a bottom side which haven’t won a game,” Swayn said.

“But Portland have been building over the last two or three weeks so we need to bring the pressure we brought against South Warrnambool.

“We can’t take them lightly or this will be a real danger game for us.”

Meanwhile in the reserves, South Warrnambool ran away to a 120-point win.

Best players for Camperdown were Myles Sinnott, Fraser Lucas, Logan Mahony, William Kosch, Tarkyn Love and James McVilly.

Tim Fitzgerald was the lone goal scorer.