Port plans show of power

Cygnet chasing percentage with a big, bustling Barry Hall haul

CYGNET is on the hunt for percentage and makes no apologies about it.

The Port (fifth) sit two games and six percentage points behind fourth-placed New Norfolk, which has the bye this round, going into today’s clash with lowly Sorell at Cygnet.

Adding to the intrigue, Cygnet plays New Norfolk at Boyer in the final round, with the winner most likely to host the elimination lowing week.

Throw in former AFL star Barry Hall for today’s clash and almost certainly next week and it creates a fascinating finale to the SFL roster season.

In his first appearance, Hall kicked seven goals in a loss to reigning premier Lindisfarne two weeks ago.

Cygnet playing coach Ben Cato said The Port were going all out to make up the percentage difference today against a Sorell side with just two wins to final the folits name, and hopes to have Hall returning for the finals.

“You only have to play three games to qualify for finals,” Cato said.

“If he gets through this week he only has to play one more and he can come back and play a final after that.

“We are playing it by ear, he’s committed to these next couple and we are really looking for that home final.

“We need a big win this week to close that gap in percentages, about 70 points, to give us a chance. If we get a big win this week then it is really down to us and New Norfolk in the final round with percentage about the same. Whoever wins that one will get a home final out of us two.”

Cato admits he was a little nervous giving Hall, an AFL Hall of Fame inductee, 2005 Sydney premiership captain and with 746 goals from 289 AFL games to his name, instructions.

“I’m not sure I’m going to teach him anything,” he said.

“He was very good, he sat there and listened and he was very good with the kids, he talked to them during the game, definitely what he says is very positive.”

Hall’s inclusion does create some reorganising of the forward line, especially considering The Port has had Ben Halton playing out of the goalsquare for most of the season.

Halton is the SFL’s third highest goalscorer with 51 goals at more than four a game, but Cato said Hall’s inclusion gives flexibility.

“Obviously we’ve got ‘Halts’ there, but the positive thing against Lindisfarne which kept us in the game was Ben was able to go through the middle and win some footy,” Cato said.

“It does free him up a little bit.”

In the remaining games, Lindisfarne is at home to winless Hobart and Huonville travels to Abbotsfield Park to take on Claremont. Cygnet some