Port Melbourne have risen into the history books after the Borough set a club record 16-0 winning streak, after holding off a resurgent Williamstown side in a top of the table clash thriller to scrape out a five-point win in chilly conditions in Werribee. Brendan Lucas reports.
Williamstown started strongly, and after a seven goal to three first term things looked grim for the undefeated Boroughs, as Jarrad Grant and Patrick Veszpremi gave the Port defence a difficult task kicking five between them.
The Seagulls’ inability to put the game beyond reach from the Boroughs proved costly as seven behinds in the first term left the Seagulls’ ruing missed opportunities.
A knee injury in the first term to the versatile Myles Pitt further soured Port’s performance, but added merit to the victory after being struck down to three on the bench for the remainder of the game.
However, the turning point came at the quarter time huddle, where a cool, calm and collected Gary Ayres addressed the Port Melbourne players.
“We are going to be challenged when you are at the top of the tree, start hitting targets by hand and foot effectively, have a positive mindset and you can make it happen,” he said.
Four unanswered goals to Port in the first 20 minutes of football in the second term gave the Boroughs a sign of hope, as Port’s forward line began to operate through the likes of forwards Patrick Rose and Dean Galea.
Port captain Ryan McMahon (20 possessions) led the way with a stellar second term, with consistent second efforts and effective disposal giving the Boroughs the spark they needed. The Boroughs trailed by eight-points at the main break.
The third term showcased tight contested football between both sides, as a Toby Pinwill goal early on gave the Borough the edge. However, it was the Seagulls’ who provided the highlight as a Mitch Hahn goal from the boundary lifted Williamstown.
The Boroughs hit the front for the first time at the nine-minute mark of the third term, after four unanswered goals in a 15-minute patch throughout the quarter unraveled the Seagull’s progress.
Port’s midfield was proving dominant as Nathan Batsanis’ tackling pressure (13 tackles) highlighted the Borough’s increased intensity.
However, late goals to the Seagulls’ through Patrick Veszpremi and Lindsay Gilbee ended an 18-minute goalless drought and gave Williamstown hope chasing an three goal margin at the final break.
Seagulls’ coach Peter German told his players that in order for his side to have any chance to win they had to take the game on.
"We have to take a few more risks, and get on with our football. We must play on and increase our ball movement," he said.
An early goal within two minutes of the last to Jarrad Grant who kicked his fourth for the day gave the Seagulls’ a positive start, after continually troubling Port’s defence all day.
Ryan McMahon was a casualty for the Boroughs who received a broken nose on the end of a miss kick at the 20-minute mark.
Both sides had opportunities to seal the game. Port’s crucial chance came at the 29-minute mark, as Patrick Rose’s goal gave the Boroughs an 18-point lead.
Williamstown rallied late as goals through Mitch Hahn and Brett Goodes followed by a costly behind cut the lead to four-points in a climactic finish. A frantic few minutes later gave Port one final score, as a Callum Sinclair poster at the 36-minute mark concluded a climactic thriller at the Avalon Airport Oval.
“Great teams find a way to win, and we hung on,” said Ayres after a grueling performance.
“There are degrees of courage in life, but they showed maximum degrees of courage today.”
“Every week we have got a new challenge. Today it was a side that steeled themselves for a positive result, but we just keep finding ways to get over that and that is why this is a unique group of players.”
“Today we have created an all-time record by winning 16 consecutive games so no other team in the history of the Port Melbourne Football Club has actually been able to do that. These guys should be remembered for that, it is a credit to them and they should be congratulated.”
The road to the finals continues as Port Melbourne face another tough contest in the Northern Bullants at home, whilst Williamstown will battle it out with the Box Hill Hawks vying for a finals berth.
Port Melbourne 17.17 (119) d Williamstown 716.18 (114)
For those at home that missed the dying stages, click HERE
Last Modified on 17/08/2011 07:20