Port Melbourne has stretched their winning streak out to seven consecutive games after outclassing the Bendigo Bombers 19.12.126 to 13.6.84 at Windy Hill on Sunday.
Led by electric forward Patrick Rose, the Borough proved too strong for the home side and climbed back from an early deficit to come away 42-point winners. James Hunter-Smith reports.
It was a case of déjà vu for Bendigo, who for the second week in a row fell away after the half, allowing their opposition to take total control of the game.
A six goal to two third quarter set up Port’s seventh win, as they currently sit comfortably atop the Peter Jackson Melbourne VFL ladder and remain unbeaten for the 2011 season.
Port Melbourne coach Gary Ayres said he was delighted with the result as it was another step forward for the group.
“The conditions were pretty tough out there today so to come away with that at another [opposition] home ground, it’s pretty pleasing,” he said.
“For them to keep chipping away today and generate that confidence by the work that they did, I think once again it’s a real positive for this group.”
Ayres said while his team is full of confidence, they’re not getting ahead of themselves.
“What you’ve got to guard against is that you don’t get overconfident,” he said.
“Every week you’re going to have the opposition doing more research, doing more planning to try and bring us down so we’ve just got to make sure that our fundamentals are always adhered to.”
Bendigo started strongly, booting the first three majors of the game with some assistance from undisciplined acts from their opponents, resulting in costly free kicks.
Midfielders Ben Duscher and Brent Prismall worked hard, generating drive through middle and created space to move along the wing.
Poor disposal and wasted opportunities hurt the Borough early, who struggled to maintain clean possession and were inaccurate in front of goal, particularly forward Patrick Rose who later redeemed himself.
Port’s Ryan McMahon kept his side in touch at the first break with an impressive running goal, but it was Bendigo who entered the huddle with a 17-point lead.
Ayres urged his team to maintain higher intensity and pressure at the break and his troops immediately responded, yet continued to be wasteful in front of goal.
Port pressed hard and were finally rewarded for their efforts with a much needed major following a spectacular grab from Jarrod Dalton, sparking an eruption of applause from the appreciative crowd.
In an even contest, the Borough were able to claw back through the pressure and intensity of John Baird and Myles Pitt, who kept their side within seven points at the main break, trailing 6.3.39 to 4.8.32.
Port dominated the third quarter, and for the second consecutive week Bendigo lost control of the game and could not maintain their intensity over four quarters.
The Borough lifted their pressure and work rate, running their opponents clean off their feet and surged forward through the individual brilliance of Patrick Rose, who kicked three goals for the quarter.
Port hit the lead after a well-executed run off half back with Adam Bentick and Myles Pitt leaving Bendigo players in their wake, as Michael Dillon finished the passage of play by nailing a goal from a tight angle from 40 meters out.
The final term was much of the same for both teams, as Port continued to dominate all areas of the ground leaving Bendigo to wonder what went wrong.
Rose and Pitt continued to gather possessions, both slotting early majors and putting the game well out of reach.
The frustration was starting to overcome the tiring Bombers with Alex Browne giving away a free kick to Port’s Cory inside the arc, allowing McGrath to kick his third of the game.
Bendigo snagged two late goals through Tory Dickson and Travis Colyer, but Port immediately replied as Rose dribbled through his sixth goal of the day, a fitting finish to a strong performance from Port Melbourne who won 19.12.126 to 13.6.84.
This week Bendigo have a chance to redeem themselves as they take on the winless Geelong at Skilled Stadium, while the Borough have a deserved week off with a bye.
Last Modified on 24/05/2011 08:48