10/05/2026
GAME DAY RESULTS ROUND 5 ⚡️
Unfortunately it wasn't our day out at Pembroke park but the boys fought hard.
Young gun Jesse Cowen set the tone early, running all over the ground, clean skills picking up ground balls, taking clean marks and being composed. He was smothering opportunities for the Eagles to get their boot to the ball, lowering his eyes and finding a team mate to kick under pressure. Brother Elijah Cowen was much the same on the day, he was clean out of the midfield gaining plenty of ball, accelerating with speed and getting the ball moving forward. He was taking clean marks under pressure at crucial times of the game, while also staying composed, lowering his eyes and hitting forward targets.
Will Cleeland was smart around the contest, using speed and strength to bust through the pack, wheeling and kicking into leading forward targets.
Young Fraser Polley proved himself again, he was strong in the ruck providing plenty of ball for his midfield, while also following up his own ruck work taking clean ground ball, tackles and marks. Fraser didn't rest much, he was busy all day as he led strongly when in the forward line, taking contested marks and presenting for his team mates.
Hamish Watt was speedy down the wing letting the Eagles know he was present with his chase down tackles. He used his speed to allow him first opportunity to the ball, using his clean skills. Senior Debutant James Caulfield was also speedy getting involved in the contest with his repeat efforts, smothering and head over the ball, getting the handball out to his teammates running by.
Both Clark Brothers worked hard all day. Ryan positioned his body to spoil the incoming ball and chopping off forwards lead. He provided repeat efforts in the backline, climbing high taking an impressive contested mark. Thomas worked tirelessly all day with his head over the ball, tackle pressure and the ability to stay grounded, not allowing his opponent to take him down in tackles. This allowed Thomas to remain in control of the ball, use his speed to cover the ground and kick long.
James Zeitzen used his speed all day long, pushing higher up the ground being a tall target for his team mates. He was smart with his strong leads, and repeated efforts whether that was in the air taking over head marks, or his pressure on forcing a turnover. Bradley Lawless was smart throughout his game, being Zippy around the contest, sneaking out the back and hit the scoreboard at crucial times of the game. He was signaling for his team mates to kick into space to the advantage of himself, allowing him to use his strength in speed and quick snapping kicks under pressure. He also worked all day with his follow through ball work and repeat tackle efforts. Tyler Roach was fighting hard for his team, with tackle after tackle, never giving up, using his speed to apply pressure to his opponent when carrying the ball.
Nathan Duggan was at it again this week, not allowing his player to have a lead on the ball, cutting off their kicks and creating turnover for the port. He was composed all day, kicking long down the line in a pressured game. Supported by Lochie Griggs and Luke Ashlin who both used their strength to take strong overhead marks, spoiling the ball in contested footy.
RESERVES
Noah Meredith stood tall for his side, working tirelessly in the ruck following up his own ruck work. He was a target all over the ground, also keeping his side in the game with two impressive goals from the 50 late in the game.
Matt Direen gave effort after effort through the middle with clean hands, providing lots of options for his team mates running by. He didn't give up all day, fighting for his team mates. Jack Walter was skilful all over the ground, whether that was in the air tacking marks and spoils or on the ground with his clean pick up and run out of the pack. He used his speed and tackle pressure to his advantage. Eliott Ross and Lochie Turnbull were smart around the contest, busting through the middle of packs, bringing lots of pressure.
Bevan Direen put his head over the ball all day, with repeated efforts causing stoppages.
Luke Cowen pulled on the Port Jumper this week as the colts side had a bye. He didn't shy away from the ball following in the steps of his two older brothers. He took confident overhead marks across the ground, with a quick wheel and go, making the perfect kick to forward Charlie Polley, where he hit the scoreboard. Alessandro Plottier and Charlie Polley both provided strong leads and marks in the ports forwardline.
Ethan Mcleod followed the incoming ball into the forward line, taking a nice mark in the pocket for a set shot, where he kicked his first goal for Cygnet. He fought hard with contested balls in the forward line and follow up efforts with his tackle pressure.
Codie Rawnsley made his return to the sport after a break from football. He was outstanding in the backline, flying high tacking strong marks at the top of the pack, cutting off plenty of Sorell's forward entries, while also bringing massive tackle pressure. Liam Evans protected the top of the square standing strong spoiling kicks targeting his opponent. Dylan Loh and Travis Walter were alert all day getting a first fist to the ball, chopping off kicks entering the eagles forward line and applying pressure all over.
WOMEN
The Port women faced off versus the Hutchins lionesses under lights at Cygnet on Friday night. Port got the start needed with Jones sisters Abbie and Georgia Jones on fire winning clearances, goals to Fox and Jasy Freeth had their team up at the first break. Port were then held scoreless for the next two quarters in a battle of both defences. Hayley and Sammy Kluga, Ella Bradburn and Amity Stanway had many intercepts to provide the forwards opportunities to score.
Libby Johnstone, Abby and Heidi Doyle played strong games in the backline against their fast opponents but were under constant pressure. Amy Sharp kicked a long range goal with minutes to go but time ran out for Port going down by three points in a classic contest where every player gave their best.
Port will take many positives from the game and look forward to playing Uni at home next Saturday.
