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Staying Power: Boak signs two-year deal

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Brendan Lines March 16, 2020

Port Adelaide midfielder Travis Boak has signed a two-year extension to his contract and will remain at Alberton until 2022.

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Image: PAFC

The announcement comes as Port Adelaide resigned 218-game veteren forward Robbie Gray last Friday.

Boak who is the club’s most experienced captain, has signalled the club’s recent move to consolidate experience to its list for the 2020 season.

“It’s an exciting time at the club and we have a seriously talented group that I am eager to stay a part of.

“I can’t wait to see what we can achieve together,” Boak said.

Port Adelaide General Manager – Football, Chris Davies, says Boak’s signing is crucial to the club’s success.

“He had a wonderful 2019 season and is in great shape to attack this coming season. Having someone of his quality as both a player and person will be important in our success,” he said.

Port Adelaide Senior Coach Ken Hinkley recently has pulled no punches as to the ability of his young side saying ‘we’re coming.’

While the AFL season is yet to take full shape amid the COVID-19 pandemic, all teams’ preparations have hit the reset button.

Yet any attempt of Port Adelaide’s claim to the 2020 flag will rely on the contribution from it’s current John Cahill medallist to bring home a potential premiership in its 150th year.

Port Adelaide shuts down engagements amid AFL COVID-19 advice

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Brendan Lines   13 March, 2020

The Port Adelaide Football Club has tonight shutdown all its external club engagements including club events and community programs until further notice.

See the source imageImage: PAFC

In a statement released by the club, Port Adelaide administration has taken advice from the AFL, Federal government and Australian Medical Association President Dr. Tony Bartone.

“Every day we delay in acting on the necessary need to reduce and cancel attendance we will see a significant increase,“ Dr Bartone said.

At this stage the club has no further information from the AFL as to how the season will play out past the current decision taken to play matches closed to the public until further notice.

Port Adelaide’s administration has been encouraged by the club with this information about the COVID-19 pandemic to work from home.

The Club has advised its membership counter at The Port Club and the Alberton Oval retail precinct will operate with increased hygiene precautions in place.

Port Adelaide members can expect the club will communicate with members and supporters in regard to specifics around their membership(s).

Earlier this evening AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan announced the AFL has implemented a working group to navigate the league through the COVID-19 pandemic in consultation with government health bodies.

The club extended its appreciation for the patience and understanding of its members.

AFL CEO moves on COVID-19 response

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Brendan Lines March 13, 2020

Tonight Australian Football League CEO Gillion McLachlan announced AFL and AFLW matches will not permit fans to attend matches due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan Image : AFL.com

The decision comes after talks with medical authorities across federal, state and territory Officers from 7am today, for the health and well-being of all involved.

“I am disappointed for our fans but we cannot put them in a situation that potentially jeopardises the health and well-being of the whole community,” McLachlan said.

The 2020 AFL season opener Richmond v Carlton at the MCG and the rest of the season will go ahead from Thursday night closed to the public.

The Geelong v North Melbourne AFLW match originally scheduled for tonight, March 13, will go ahead—but fans may choose to attend.

Going forward all AFLW matched will be closed to the public also.

Given the very fluid situation McLachlan said the decision may be revisited as the season progresses through the pandemic.

“We have said from the outset that we will rely on the advice of the medical experts who have been planning to deal with this situation for some time and we will continue to make decisions based on the advice of the Chief Medical Officers,” he said.

This could mean that the current schedule of matches may change as the AFL looks at fixture alternatives to ensure both AFL and AFLW seasons are completed.

The addition of games to bye rounds or mid-week ‘catch-up’ games may be an option.

Before today’s decision the AFL indicated that it would prefer to play all scheduled matches as part of its contingency, in order to honour major broadcasting contracts.

Players have signaled they are flexible to move with the AFL’sdecision, McLachlan says the league will offer support to the clubs.

“We will continue to provide clubs with protocols to assist with the health and safety of players, officials and supporters. As I said, the situation is fluid and the protocols will be updated regularly to reflect this.” he said.

Gray here to stay until 2021

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Brendan Lines  March 13, 2020

The Port Adelaide Football Club has today secured the services of its four-time All Australian forward Robbie Gray at least to the end of the 2021 season, delaying his unrestricted free-agency.

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After some interest from rival clubs over the trade period, Gray has reaffirmed his alignment with the club who drafted him in 2006.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity Port Adelaide has given me, and to extend my time here for another year is great for me and my family,” Gray said.

“We have a young and exciting list, and I’m eager to be a part of that for as long as possible.”

Gray 31, was sidelined in 2019 for near on a month after suffering a broken hand in 2019 against North Melbourne.

The signing has signalled Port Adelaide’s confidence in Gray who has impressed Port Adelaide’s General Manager – Football Chris Davies during pre-season.

“He’s had a strong pre-season, and has provided amazing assistance for our young group.

“We’re pleased he’ll remain at the club until at least the end of the 2021 season,” he said.

After Coach Ken Hinkley’s recently made ‘bullish’ statements that he can get the job done in Port Adelaide’s 150th year, Gray’s signing is essential experience.

A premiership in black, silver and teal is the only thing missing from Gray’s illustrious career to date.

Lions’ roar grows louder

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Brendan Lines

PHOTO Braeden Gatt

SOUTH Gawler’s run towards September is back on track after belting Kapunda by 62 points in Saturday’s Barossa, Light & Gawler A-grade football clash.

For the first time since round four this season, the Lions are back into the top four.

Levelling the ledger at home to three wins and three losses, South is well on its way to making the Den a happy-hunting ground once again, according to player-coach Jack Osborn.

“We’ve made an emphasis on really protecting the home ground and we really went out with that attitude and wanted to show that ‘this is our field, and this how it’s going to happen’,” he said.

“We need to make sure we’re keeping our season alive, the top standard of teams like Tanunda and Angaston are playing amazing football, so we’ve just got to make sure we’re there in the last part of this year to be able to compete with them.”

The conditions at Eldred Riggs Reserve bogged down both teams’ midfielders early, but the Lions dug their claws in and put pressure on the contest with 12 first-quarter tackles.

Grabbing the game by the scruff of the neck, the Lions went on to score three first-quarter goals, courtesy of Jarred Johnson, Leslie Baker and Osborn, to gain the ascendancy over the Bombers.

A 21-point margin at the first break looked within Kapunda’s grasp, but the Lions were just warming up, piling on seven goals in the second-quarter.

The under-fire Bombers’ only resistance came from Jack Huggard with 20 disposals and nine marks in defence for the match, as skill errors continued to plague them around the contest.

Lion Josh Wittwer was supreme across half-back, his 13 disposals and five marks for the game turned South’s defence into attack every time and helped set up his forwards.

As Osborn rucked his 0wn ball to snap an early second-quarter major, the Lions went on to make goals look easy as Jackson Dare, Chapman and Baker kicked South away to a 67-point lead at half-time.

The Bombers found some spark as Brad Prior kicked their first, and helped by midfielder Matt Stent’s 13 disposals for the match they closed the gap for inside 50s to 10-8 in the third term.

The Lions led by 60 points at three-quarter-time, after the Bombers hit the scoreboard.

But South was not about to rest on its laurels, as Dom Costanzo kicked truly and Jackson Press slotted his second major to compliment a solid 13 disposals and five marks for the game.

In the end, it was the Lions’ fast start that proved too big of a hurdle for Kapunda to overcome.

https://bunyippress.com.au/lions-roar-grows-louder/

Connelly Cup played in right spirit

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BRENDAN LINES

WILLASTON claimed the Stephen Connelly Cup on Saturday after knocking off Gawler Central by 17 points in Barossa, Light & Gawler A-grade football.

PHOTO: Bianca Muller

Before the action began, the occasion was marked with a moving ‘Welcome to Country’ ceremony by Willaston and Kaurna man Rodney O’Brien.

The Tigers put the Donnys on the ropes early with goals to Nick Hooker and Corey Solly.

But a late major from Jamie Williams kept the Donnys in touch, closing the margin to 13 points at quarter-time.

The momentum swung Willaston’s way in the second term as Josh Waldhuter, Ash Fry and Michael Clinch upped the pressure with a combined 37 contested possessions.

The increase in forward pressure yielded a raft of goals to Williams, Chad Norsworthy and Michael Howson, who all scored, to go into the main change 24 points clear.

Yet, Central were not about to be kicked-off the park and dug deep to make the most of its opportunities up forward, despite Brad Mercer being shut down by the Donnys’ tight back six.

It came down to the Tigers’ half-forwards to do the business, as Solly and Jonty Schultz kicked them back into contention.

Willaston continued to look dangerous, but wasted a few chances at goal by kicking 3.5 in the third term to stay ahead by only 21 points at three-quarter-time.

The last quarter was a shootout as both teams went forward at all costs.

Central’s gun defender, Jaime Wegener, drifted deep into the forward 50, booting three goals in the final term.

The Tigers were in with a sniff, trailing by just nine points early in the last, but even their better accuracy, kicking 5.1 in the second half, was not enough to give them the upper-hand.

Waldhuter and Fry’s ability to create forward pressure countered the Tigers’, as Brodie Cormack and Jackson Phillips’ goals kept Willaston ahead to take the victory.

After the match, players from both sides linked arms in the middle of the ground as a sign of harmony – recognising and supporting indigenous culture and its contribution to the local game.

It’s just the Donny’s fourth win for the season, but senior coach Shaun Baker is confident his side is building.

“It’s starting to pay-off, we always knew this year was going to be a tough year,” he said.

“Now they (the players) are getting some confidence back, they are just doing the little things right and that makes things happen.

“It’s tapping into the first quarter where they (Central) were tougher at the footy, so I stressed to them if we were tougher at the footy, we’ll get better use of the footy, so we were just tougher in those moments.

“Wally (Josh Waldhuter) has actually been a bit sore so I changed it up how he went into the game and came out of the game, he was probably best on ground by far.”

 

https://bunyippress.com.au/connelly-cup-played-in-right-spirit/

Freeling leaves door ajar after loss to Willaston

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BRENDAN LINES

FREELING missed an opportunity to secure finals football after it lost to Willaston by 13 points in Barossa, Light & Gawler A-grade football on Saturday.

PHOTO: Bianca Muller

The defeat keeps the door ajar for South Gawler, which sits one win behind the Redlegs in sixth place with one minor round game to play.

Freeling faces ladder leaders Angaston this weekend, while the Lions must beat Willaston to have any chance of featuring in finals.

In a season stymied by the loss of premiership points after last year’s salary cap saga, Saturday’s win would have seen the Donnybrooks vying for a finals berth, had they not started two wins behind the rest of the competition.

Despite the setback, Willaston can still take some confidence from its recent winning form, according to coach Shaun Baker.

“There’s a bit of confidence back in the group, you know obviously with all the stuff that’s gone on from last year, it’s taken a while to get their confidence back, they are doing the little things right which makes the big things happen,” he said.

“So, we’re starting to have a bit of consistency in the way we play.”

A stiff breeze didn’t stop Freeling getting off to a competitive start, as majors to Alex Stengle and Ben Heinrich put the pressure on the scoreboard.

Star Donnybrook defender Michael Clinch (19 possessions) set up plenty of forward opportunities, and as Chad Norsworthy slotted the goal-of-the-day from the boundary, with a check-side, the Donnys briefly grabbed the lead.

As Clinch was sidelined with a blood rule, Freeling took advantage of Willaston’s depleted backline to snare a late goal, through Josh Hand, and a fourpoint lead at quarter-time.

A buoyant Freeling kept up the forward pressure, as Willaston conceded goals to Ashley Selleck, Aaron Cocks and Hand in the second term.

But the Donnys were able to fight back, and a late goal to Michael Howson closed the margin to just 12 points at the main change.

Willaston continued to turn the tables in the third, winning the contest in the middle with clean transitions from midfielders Harrison Elbrow (16 possessions), Tyson Irlam (19 possessions) and
senior colt Deakin Davis.

This helped the Donnys win 11 inside 50s to Freeling’s five for the quarter.

The midfielders were able to drift forward and slot majors, with Irlam and Elbrow converting, and Howson getting another.

Willaston led by 21 points at three-quarter-time, but the game was still in the balance.

An unchecked Clinch and Shaun Childs’ four defensive marks controlled the game, wearing down Freeling in the final term.

Fittingly, Donnybrooks captain Josh Waldhuter finished the day with his second major as they shutdown the game and celebrated.

As consistency and confidence builds in Willaston’s ranks, Baker said there are some encouraging signs.

“I just think the young fellas are really starting to stand up and for extended periods of time, you can keep them in the team for longer and don’t have to make too many changes,” he said.

“Last time we got beat up on the inside, so I put it on them all week to be better on the inside (this week).”

 

https://bunyippress.com.au/freeling-leaves-door-ajar-after-loss-to-willaston/

Tigers too strong for Kapunda

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BRENDAN LINES

GAWLER Central is now one win away from the ultimate glory after it defeated Kapunda by 12 points in Saturday’s Barossa, Light & Gawler reserves football preliminary final.

After going six and two for the back-half of the minor round, the Tigers have carried on their winning ways with elimination, first semi-final and now preliminary final wins.

Cooling the jets on the fast-starting Bombers, who kicked five straight goals in the first, the Tigers’ formidable defence led by Kalon Heintze (14 disposals) shutdown everything before them, holding Kapunda goalless for most of the remaining three quarters.

It was a first-quarter blitz by the Bombers, with successive goals to Josh Slater, Wyatt Ryan, Bailey Jones, Josh Rosenzweig and Tristan Kerr.

Kapunda was winning the contest at every turn, as midfielders Bailey Jones (13 disposals) and Josh Slater (17 disposals) combined as the consistent ball winners who sent the Bombers inside 50 nine times to four in the first.

Yet the Tigers scratched their way back into the second quarter, with in-and-under efforts from Matthew Taylor-McDonald (12 disposals) turning the tide in the midfield.

Central’s efforts to hold the ball in their forward line for most of the second was plagued by inaccuracy, kicking seven behinds for the quarter, which allowed Kapunda to maintain a 20-point lead at half-time, but with no additional scoreboard pressure.

Corey Nesbitt’s (three goals) goal in the opening minutes of the third was followed up with a major to Paul Bova (three goals), which got the Tigers back into the hunt.

The pressure was on the Bombers as they gave a free-kick to Bova for holding, well within striking distance of the Tigers’ goal.

Bova kicked truly and put the Tigers in front for the first time at the 15-minute mark of the third.

The Tigers’ grip across defence put the squeeze on the Bombers, as Kalon Heintze’s three marks in defence nulled all three of Kapunda’s forward 50 entries for the quarter.

With their nose in front by just two points at the last change, the Tigers came out swinging with another goal to Nesbitt to kickoff the fourth.

Not to be outdone, Tiger Josh Edwards fired in goal-of-the-day, banging in a goal off a stoppage from 50 metres out.

Kapunda matched the Tigers in contested possessions 25 apiece in the last, but could only manage one to Ryan (two goals) in the closing minutes.

But the Tigers’ triumph was made complete as Bova slotted a third major, his 10th for this final series, to put the Tigers into the big dance.

For two weeks in a row the Tigers have held their opposition scoreless for over a half of footy, and coach Troy Ellbourn says defensive pressure has been the key.

“We’ve definitely been working in the back half of the year on our defensive pressure and setting up a bit of a zone as well on (opposition’s) kick outs, it’s just enabling us to hold the ball in our forward half a lot better than what we did in the first half of the year,” he said.

“To get here now is an absolute relief and I couldn’t be any happier.”

The Tigers will face Angaston for the reserves premiership.

https://bunyippress.com.au/tigers-too-strong-for-kapunda/

Bombers’ top-four knockout

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jul27_chris smith

Brendan Lines 27-7-16

KAPUNDA has dealt a blow to Willaston with a 25-point victory in Saturday’s BL&G football clash that saw the Bombers take back a top-four spot.

Bombers’ coach Michael McCarthy was under no illusion about the importance of the high-stakes clash.

McCarthy remained calm and collected during the match, with his instructions clear: “don’t be one-dimensional – look competitive, I want composure and keep control”.

The Donnys’ finals hopes rested on taking victory and looked compromised without midfielder Josh Glenn.

Although the Bombers’ scalp would have been handy, coach Mal Greenwood was adamant “we still need to win another two to keep our chances alive”.

Willaston asserted its superior height at the centre clearances, but was unable to take possession of the ball.

The combination of Brad Taylor and Cameron Matters was quick to take the contest to ground level and set up the Bombers’ forwards.

Adam Jolly and Justin Zanandrea were the benefactors of their good work, scoring early.

At the other end, Kapunda’s Sam McKinnon and Leigh O’Donohue shut down the Donnys’ attack.

Jeremy Johncock kept his side within 10 points at the 20-minute mark, punishing the Bombers’ sloppy disposal.

But McKinnon was proving to be dangerous everywhere, scoring a goal in response, and by the first break the Bombers’ 22-point lead looked quite handy.

McCarthy implored his squad not to get too comfy with the margin as ‘50-50’ contests and disposals could trap the Bombers.

“I want composure, control and don’t panic,” he said.

David Allocca launched the Willaston response with the help of Lachlan Downing, posting majors that saw Willaston look on the rebound.

The home side had the measure of the Bombers as Tyson Irlam looked tidy around the midfield and second efforts by Downing kept up the pressure.

But it was short-lived and Greenwood’s frustration began to show as his team forgot the basics and allowed the opposition to find space.

As a result, Bomber forward Jolly posted two more goals to his match tally.

Greenwood would not accept his side’s lapse and at half-time urged them to “get that hunger, that belief, because this is the day that defines our season”.

The Bombers found their own hunger as Bradley Williams and Zanandrea displayed some midfield run to halt a Willaston comeback.

Subsequently, Williams and Zanandrea began to pile on the goals, along with Taylor and Brohdi Carracher as the margin blew out to 41 points.

Allocca displayed some fight early up forward for Willlaston, rounding out his four majors for the match.

But the Donnys’ defence began to fold again with goals to Zanandrea and Carracher.

The win was mission accomplished for the Bombers as they claimed victory and fourth spot on the table.

Willaston’s road to the finals got tougher, as it now has to take on third-placed Tanunda next week, which could decide the top four.

https://www.bunyippress.com.au/bombers-top-four-knockout/

Lion-hearted South falls short

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Brendan Lines 6-7-2016

GAWLER Central dug deep to defeat a determined South Gawler by 33 points in Saturday’s BL&G footy suicide prevention round clash of the big cats.

Reeling from injuries after their Barossa District encounter, the Tigers were without key midfielders Luke Edwards and Jason Blakemore.

After thumping Freeling, coach Scott Lee’s Lions were hungry for another scalp, and continue pushing for the top four.

Pressure from South was on from the first bounce, and a tough, physical scrap continued all quarter.

The Lions were tenacious as Matthew Foldesdy and David Aldred led the attack.

South committed relentlessly to the 50/50 contests all over the ground.

Aldred’s marking up forward was proving to be a problem for the Tigers’ defence, yielding three goals for the match.

It took a combined effort of Bradley Mercer and Craig Taylor to mount a late response to keep the Tigers within a kick at quarter-time.

Anger was brooding from the Tigers’ coach’s box as Damien Herzick said “you are going to have to take on the contest against a side more desperate than you”.

Lee was upbeat, but realistic of the task ahead, calling for constant pressure at the 50/50 contests.

The claws were out as the Lions took the scrap right to the Tigers with the first major of the second term.

It was clear the Tigers needed new tactics.

Mercer joined the half-forward line, combining with Taylor, Thomas Dunne and Charlie Molyneux.
Goals to each saw the Tigers go into half-time ahead by nine points.

Happy with the intent at the contests, Lee reinforced the Lions’ resolve, saying “keep them working hard for their goals”.

Herzick asked his team for an immediate return to form, saying “show some more belief in what we’re doing”.

Central was back in the contest, in the third, and quelled the Lions’ confidence with an early goal off the back of efforts by Corey Solly.

The Lions’ resolve was now being tested by a more focused and accountable Tigers’ attack.

Momentum on the field teetered, as Matthew Naumann kept South to within two goals of the Tigers’ lead.

However, a goal on the three-quarter-time siren, by Mercer, gave Central the edge.

South kept up the assault, with goals to Nicholas White and Jack Millar reigning in the Tigers in the final term.

However, Mercer, Dunne and Daniel Stanley continued to direct traffic and score goals up forward for Central.

Late goals to Samuel Lee and Ben Kerr gave South a pulse, but that soon changed as Kirk Heberle shut down the Lions’ attack, delivering forward to Mercer and Dunne and icing the game.

https://www.bunyippress.com.au/lion-hearted-south-falls-short/