Senior club profile: Port Macquarie Magpies

The start of the footy season has been delayed, but club profiles will still go ahead in readiness for the later start to the 2020 season.

In this edition we look at the Port Macquarie Magpies who are the reigning Premiers in the Women’s competition.

HOW IS 2020 SHAPING UP? (Cambridge McCormick, Committee member)

Three of our players have stepped up to take on coaching roles in 2020, with Blake Nelson as Senior coach, James Moir as Women’s coach and Marraki Kilpatrick as Under 17 coach. We are very excited to see how they lead our Magpies into the upcoming season.

HOW IS PRE-SEASON GOING?

The Magpies have welcomed plenty of fresh faces to the club over pre-season and have been taking advantage of the great club dynamic with joint Men’s and Women’s training. With the University nearby, we have continued to grow numbers in both Men’s and Women’s teams with students. The great support that we experienced in 2019 both on and off the field is set to continue into 2020 and we are excited to see what 2020 holds for the #HotPies.

MEN’S TEAM PROFILE

“The pre-season has been slightly interrupted for us due to weather and ground closures. However, this has allowed us to focus on building up a big fitness base throughout the summer. Obviously we’ve lost some personnel around the club but have also welcomed in some new, talented players. The numbers at training have been massive and we all look forward to going one step further in 2020.” Kye Taylor, Captain.

WHO’S LIGHTING UP PRE-SEASON/WHO’S ONE TO WATCH?

Marraki Kilpatrick is moving into his second full season of senior footy. He has had his best pre-season to date, not missing a single training session all summer. Marraki will fill a key position in the backline and he has very good pace for a key position player allowing him to play on both talls and smalls.

BIG INS

• Tom Kulkulka – mid/forward player who has recently moved from Airlie Beach.
• Max Bylsma – young gun with a huge tank, he will be a very good two-way runner.

BIG OUTS

• George Maguire
• Tom Marmo (Pint footy club, Darwin)
• Braden Saggers (MMA)
• Matthew Clarke
• Dylan Beasley (Tamworth Swans)
• Kaleb Crowhurst (Tamworth Swans)
• Fraser Carroll (Newcastle)

WOMEN’S TEAM PROFILE

“I’m really looking forward to coaching the Women this year and to see what some of our new talent can bring to the side. Although we have some big outs for 2020, we will have been hitting pre-season hard, getting plenty of run in the legs, and building some strong game techniques for our kick off in a few weeks. Let’s see if we can go back to back! #hotpies” James Moir, Coach.

WHO’S LIGHTING UP PRE-SEASON/WHO’S ONE TO WATCH?

Georgia Kuhn – she has come into pre-season with an excellent fitness standard and dedication to training. Her skills will continue to improve from her first season in 2019.

BIG INS

• Steph Eveleigh
• Chloe Grey (Adelaide)
• Loren Buckley (Netball)

BIG OUTS

• Tania Slack-Smith (retired)
• Christine Kirby (pregnant)
• Cambridge McCormick (available for part of the season)
• Ricky Pomroy (retired but expected back)
• Beth Rennes (Darwin)
• Anishah Burnes (Tamworth Swans)

The Port Macquarie Magpies can be contacted at portmacaflmagpies@gmail.com if you would like to connect with the club.