REACHING the 2011 VFL Grand Final was beyond Port Melbourne coach Gary Ayres’ wildest dreams as Brittany Shanahan reports.
“If you had’ve said six months ago that you’ll be playing off in a Grand Final, you’d say, give me some of what your smoking cause I want to get on it too,” Ayres said on Saturday.
He was speaking after his unbeaten Borough had dug deep for a 22-point win over the Northern Bullants in the Preliminary Final at TEAC Oval.
Port was challenged by a highly competitive Northern Bullants line-up which stepped it up once again come finals time.
It was 11am Saturday morning when Bullants coach Darren Harris made the call to play Carlton forward, Jarrad Waite. The 28-year old trained the night before and put his hand up for selection.
The Bullants backline stood tall and their transition out of defence was exceptional. Moments before half time, the Bullants ruck and forward division was dealt a blow when Levi Casboult went down with an ankle injury.
Nick Meese had to take control of the rucking duties while Port Melbourne’s Dean Galea had chalked up five goals before half time.
Rhys O’Keefe ploughed on for the Bullants, constantly chasing and attacking the football in contested situations, which assisted in Ryan Houlihan’s five-goal haul.
Dual J.J. Liston Trophy winner Shane Valenti proved he’s in a class of his own, weaving in and out of traffic in the Borough forward line to then slot a goal directly in front.
As Ayres said, “Shane Valenti is all class”.
The Borough claimed the final quarter as their own, kicking six goals to three and out-running the exhausted Bullants.
Sam Pleming had been outclassed by Houlihan early in the game, and was moved down forward. He kicked two vital goals for Port Melbourne and the classy Chris Cain kicked three. Cain, John Baird, Tobias Pinwill and Malcolm Lynch all lifted in the finals 30 minutes.
Post match, Ayres was thrilled to finally put to bed the idea that they needed to drop a game before competing in the Grand Final.
“Ever since it’s gotten closer to the finals, there has probably been a lot of people that have said you can’t continue to win and we have shut the door on that,” Ayres said.
Not only did Ayres praise the efforts of the entire team, but particularly Borough captain John Baird.
“He (Baird) should go down as one of the best captain’s this club has ever had,” he said.
“I’ve got undying confidence in these boys and I just ask them and they keep giving. Today the whole 22 were unbelievable warriors.
“I’m in awe of these boys and I love them to death.”
While Northern Bullants coach Harris was disappointed with the loss, he couldn’t be more impressed with the commitment of his players.
“I think when Casboult goes down and Meese has to keep rucking against their rotation of ruckman (it) really had an impact on us,” Harris said.
“McLean was under duress in the second half, he did his ankle and had a bung hip as well so he was just hanging in there.
“I’m just really proud with the way we fought it out. I thought it was an outstanding effort and we gave them a real shake.”
Port Melbourne will take on their oldest rival in Williamstown on September 25 in the Peter Jackson VFL Grand Final at Etihad Stadium. Port Melbourne last played Williamstown in a decider in 1964. Port won but Williamstown defeated the Borough in the 1954 -1955- 1956 Grand Finals.
Photo Credit: Damian Visentini
Last Modified on 19/09/2011 13:37