THE reigning premiers will aim to notch their 24th straight win when they travel to Queen Elizabeth Oval on Saturday to take on the newly nicknamed Bendigo Gold, as Samantha Landy reports.
After equalling the record for a winning streak set by a current Peter Jackson VFL club last week in its 59-point demolition of Werribee, Port Melbourne will endeavour to trump the Northern Blues’ (then Preston) run of 23 wins from 1984-85 in this exciting encounter.
The Borough’s opponent will be hoping to give Bendigo fans something to cheer about in its first home game for the season.
If form is any indicator, this contest should be a ripper.
Port Melbourne was sublime last week, toppling the Tigers, who are widely considered flag contenders, in a dazzling display to add to its 42-point win over Frankston in Round 1.
The 59-point triumph was set up by an incredible first quarter in which the Borough, led by its new dangerous goal-kicking duo of Dean Galea and Adrian Bonaddio, piled on nine majors in 15 minutes to lead by 48-points at the first break. Werribee never got a look in after this, despite evening things up in the second half. Sam Dwyer, captain John Baird and Liston medallist Shane Valenti starred in the middle for the victors.
Coach Gary Ayres was thrilled with his “dynamic” midfielders, and that his players were able to get the job done on the important occasion of unfurling the 2011 premiership flag.
Bendigo smashed Frankston by 84 points in its first game of the season last week after enjoying a Round 1 bye. Ariel Steinberg, Sam Lonergan and Ben Duscher contributed three goals apiece, while the AFL-listed Jake Carlisle and Ricky Dyson were among the best. Gold silenced the Frankston crowd with a seven goal to none first quarter, never looking back to pile on 20 goals for the match.
New Bendigo coach Hayden Skipworth was delighted with his side’s first hit out for the season, naming Tom Bellchambers and Dyson worthy of AFL selection for their efforts against the Dolphins.
Port well and truly had the better of Bendigo during their 2011 encounters, defeating the then Bombers by margins of 42 and 41. But then again, the Borough had the better of everyone last season.
The way Ayres’ boys performed last week suggests they may well enjoy such dominance again in 2012, so victory will be a big ask for the Gold.
Port appears to have retained too many stars - Valenti, Dwyer, Sam Pleming and Chris Cain to name a few - to fall from grace after a phenomenal season last year. Add this to its new two pronged attack of Galea and Bonaddio (a seeminlgy ideal replacement for departed 'Frosty' Miller Medallist Patrick Rose), and the Borough look to be as strong as ever.
That being said, it would be a mistake to count out Bendigo so easily. It showed class last weekend, albeit against Frankston, proving itself worthy of improving on its 7th place finish last season.
But while Bendigo will have the crowd in its corner, Port Melbourne has history as its motivator, suggesting it has a very good chance to achieve that famous 24th win.
Last Modified on 06/04/2012 20:43