After the end of last season, if you said the undefeated premiers would be trailing to wooden spooner’s Frankston in the first half of their first game, many would have looked at you like you had rocks in your head.
The game on Sunday Frankston Oval had many thinking what had happened to the reigning premier’s early as In the first quarter as Frankston had a convincing lead by 12 points 5-2-32 to 3-2-20 as Travis Noonan reports.
Somehow at the end of the half Frankston were able to keep their lead over Port Melbourne by 1 point, leading 6-5-41 to 6-4-40. The goalkicker’s were widespread in the first half with Frankston’s Robert Clements the only multiple goalkicker with 2 goals.
The third quarter began with a bang for Port Melbourne, with a quick kick out of the middle landing Chris Cain his second goal, before a 50 metre penalty to Port Melbourne had Cain’s third goal, as the umpires cracked down on free kicks handing out three 50 metre penalties, luckily for Frankston only one was converted by Port Melbourne.
Leigh Osborne added to Frankston’s goal tally with an excellent piece of football running through the corridor and getting to the 50 before goaling, but at the end of the third quarter the scores were Frankston 9-8-62 to Port Melbourne 10-10-70.
At the 3 quarter time huddle Port Melbourne Coach Gary Ayres asked his team for greatness and the Port Melbourne of old returned. A goal from Heath O’Farrell opened the last quarter, then two goals to Captain John Baird cancelled out any chance of a Frankston comeback. Cain bagged his fifth before he dribbled one home for his sixth just before the siren sounded at Frankston Oval.
The home crowd seemed pleased with Frankston’s efforts, many saying it was the best 3 quarter’s of footy the club has played in at least three years. Frankston’s best players were M.Clark, Delahunty, Ndongo, Hockey, Clements, Van Unen and Potts.
Port Melbourne’s effort for three quarters showed the side will need time to adapt to the loss of 8 premiership players, but the team was not at full strength with players such as Adam Bentick and Clayton Hinkley out of the squad.
Port Melbourne’s Captain John Baird was best on ground kicking two valuable goals in the last quarter and leading his club by example on the field. Port Melbourne’s Best: Baird, Cain, Woods, Pleming, Skipper and Muling.
Port Melbourne return home this weekend to unfurl the 2011 Peter Jackson VFL premiership flag against Werribee Tigers in the ABC TV game on Saturday, whilst Frankston host Bendigo on Sunday.
Last Modified on 28/03/2012 10:43