General News
16 June, 2022
Magpies tough it out
CAMPERDOWN Magpies faced the full brunt of pre-season flag favourites North Warrnambool on the weekend, going down 3.3 (21) to 20.17 (137) to the Eagles at Bushfield.
CAMPERDOWN Magpies faced the full brunt of pre-season flag favourites North Warrnambool on the weekend, going down 3.3 (21) to 20.17 (137) to the Eagles at Bushfield.
The Eagles stamped their dominance on the game early, kicking four goals to none in the first quarter and leading 8.7 (55) to 0.3 (3) at the half-time break.
The Magpies’ efforts never flagged, however, and they dug deep during the second half to find a more competitive edge, kicking three goals in the tough conditions.
Hamish Sinnott, returning from the Rebels squad last week, was named best on ground for Camperdown, working hard through the midfield to provide scoring opportunities and snagging a goal himself.
Defender Brayden Draffin was another important inclusion, returning after over a month-long injury to shine in a backline that was under constant fire throughout the match.
Coach Neville Swayn said the loss hurt but he was proud of the way his players had battled throughout the entire game.
“The boys never drop off with their effort. That’s just the way the group is, they don’t lay down, they’ll always keep trying,” he said.
“I thought our back six, for the amount of entries North had, held up pretty well.
“But you can only hold off a team like that for a certain amount of time. They were just too good right across the ground for us.”
Swayn said the Magpies’ lack of forward entries in the first half was compounded by missed opportunities.
“We kicked 3.3 for the day, and it was our execution that hurt us,” he said.
“We worked so hard to win the footy but then we just continually gave it back to North.
“When you don’t get many looks inside 50 you’ve got to take every opportunity. Every time we go in there we’ve got to execute a little better so when we do go in there we score.”
Camperdown played with a depleted list, with unavailable players including Charlie Lucas and Harry Sumner out due to concussion protocols and Cameron Spence, who has been in excellent form over the last month.
Swayn hopes all three will make a return for this week’s trip to play Terang Mortlake.
“I’d say at this stage those guys will all be available this week,” he said.
“They’re all good ins for us, they should make a real difference.”
The Bloods have fared poorly so far this season, and like Camperdown have a very young list with only a few very experienced players.
Swayn said he expected a fierce battle as both sides would see the match as an opportunity to break their losing streaks.
“We’re very similar sides, both young, and both would be thinking this is well and truly a winnable game, so it should be nice and tight,” he said.
“Execution will be the key for us. If we can win enough of the footy and execute well, that will go a long way to winning the game.”