North L?ton vs South L?

OUR GREAT GAME | Aker fever rocks KGV
MAGPIES MAGIC AS ROOS FALL
THE hype leading into the Wrest Point State League
‘Season Launch’ match was all about Jason Akermanis
... But Glenorchy proved it will be no one-man band
in 2011, ruthlessly disposing of reigning TSL premier
Clarence in a historic match at KGV last night.
In front of the biggest crowd in State League history,
the Magpies beat the Roos at their own game to win
well -- 16.6 (102) to 9.12 (66).
The official crowd of 8480 spectators turned up
to see Glenorchy’s boom recruit Akermanis. And
the former Brownlow medallist and three-time AFL
premiership star didn’t disappoint, but the Pies had a
host of contributors who shone on the big stage.
Clarence is renowned for its uncompromising,
pressure football but it was the Magpies who dished
up the intensity to send a clear message they will
again be a force in the State League.
Roos coach Brett Geappen was left shocked after the
match, describing the loss as the worst from his players
in the two years of the Wrest Point State League.
But the story of the night was Glenorchy, who, after
a horror 2010 campaign, had a gruelling five month
pre-season pay-off in spades as the slick and fit outfit
outgunned their opponents.
Fellow recruit Ben Reynolds provided a key target all
game and finished with three goals while unheralded
youngster Shaun Collis -- who joined the club from
New Norfolk -- showed he will be a more than handy
pick-up after kicking the Pies’ first two goals of the
match, finishing with four.
Nathan Matthews was a rock in defence all night and
was only beaten for best on ground honours by Jake
Cox, who put his own disappointments from last year
behind him with a flawless display.
The classy midfielder didn’t play in Glenorchy’s finals
loss last season because of disciplinary reasons but
he was in sublime touch last night, booting three
goals to go with his numerous possessions.
The star of the show, Akermanis, was clearly rusty,
having not played any form of football since his final
Courtesy of ADAM SMITH, The Mercury
VFL appearance last July, but worked his way into the
contest and finished with 23 possessions and 1.2.
Geappen admitted the loss was a reality check for
the two-time premiers, who now face Burnie on the
road next weekend.
SEASON LAUNCH GAME RESULTS - GLENORCHY vs. CLARENCE
Seniors
Glenorchy 5.1 9.4 13.5 16.6 (102) def.
Clarence 3.2 6.5 8.8 9.12 (66)
GOALS - Glenorchy: S.Collis 4, J.Cox 3, B.Reynolds 3, J.Bowring 2,
J.Bowden, C.French, J.Akermanis, M.Corbett. Clarence: T.Standen
4, C.Riewoldt, J.O’Brien, M.Baker, M.Drury, T.Williamson. BEST -
Glenorchy: S.Collis, N.Matthews, J.Cox, B.Webb, J.Bowden, D.Joseph.
Clarence: C.Thurley, T.Castle, J.O’Brien, M.Drury, T.Standen, A.Green.
Colts
Clarence 5.1 11.4 13.10 18.13 (121) def.
Glenorchy 2.3 5.4 7.6 10.8 (68)
GOALS - Clarence: R.Westbury 5, J.Gleeson 4, M.Williamson 3,
J.Bailey, I.Gaul, R.Bailey, A.Parker, J.Murray, J.Jenkins. Glenorchy:
D.Grant 2, J.Johnson 2, M.Badcock, B.Jordan, S.Sharp, D.Robottom,
J.Howard, S.Beswick. BEST - Clarence: J.Gleeson, A.Hill, R.Westbury,
I.Gaul, J.Bailey, B.Coad. Glenorchy: D.Grant, K.Salter, R.Dilger,
Z.Webster, S.Beswick, L.Green.
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