Port Melbourne have bounced back onto the winners list after a blistering last quarter tore apart a brave Coburg side. Brendan Lucas reports.
It was a day Port Melbourne hoped would not be repeated, as a loss last week to Geelong was all but erased.
Despite valiant efforts from the Tigers throughout the day, the Borough’s record of impressive last quarter efforts continued with a seven goal to two haul.
John Baird continued his stellar season form, and a tireless work rate around the ground helped him lead the possession count with 30.
Meanwhile the Tigers’ leading goal kickers, tall forwards Jayden Post, Angus Graham and Andrew Browne did the damage with two goals each.
Despite the Borough’s impressive win, the Tigers set the tone in the first term with a ferocious 24 tackles.
The matchup between Ben Clifton and dual Liston winning midfielder Shane Valenti also kept fans glued to their seats in a fascinating battle.
Tensions were running high at quarter time, but the Tigers had the upper hand on the scoreboard with a one-goal lead.
Dean Galea shook his first quarter shackles to slot the first goal of the second term.
The Borough’s intensity had lifted with more efficient ball movement and relentless pressure, but wasted opportunities in front of goal.
However, three goals nine was enough to keep the Tigers scoreless, with Port holding a comfortable 21-point lead at the main change.
The Tigers came out firing early in the third. Back to back goals at the 14-minute mark from Liam Brandt and Luke McGuane brought the Tigers to within 4-points, as the fans found their voice.
But an Andrew Browne miss on the three-quarter-time siren gave the Borough a 15-point lead.
At three quarter time Port coach Gary Ayres had not been satisfied and was keen to ignite some passion.
"Your mental state is about not taking the game on," he said.
"You don't want to play safe, I am giving you the license to take the game on. You want to take it, meet it head on!"
Weight in numbers, outmuscling opponents and powerful forward surges gave the Borough the perfect start to the final term.
Goals to Clayton Hinkley who had an impressive game, and Dean Galea who finished with four, pushed the Borough to a 26-point lead early.
Poor discipline did not help the Tigers either, giving away two 50-metre penalties which both resulted in goals.
Myles Pitt kicked his second on the final siren as Port powered away to a 46-point victory.
Post-match coach Gary Ayres said a lack of trust in their methods restricted his side early, but was pleased with his side’s ability to gain back control.
“I was thrilled, but I just felt there has been just a little bit of an underlying thing where we haven’t trusted ourselves as much as we would have normally. However, I thought our method especially to come back through the corridor came back. I thought we became more instinctive, and took the game on more. We probably kept them in the game a lot longer than we should have.”
“It’s an ugly win, we are still not at our best, but at the end of the match we were running on really strongly.”
Port Melbourne this week face South Adelaide in the Foxtel Cup at the MCG at 11:35am on Saturday, whilst Coburg Tigers host Collingwood in the only VFL Sunday game for round 13 at Mantello Holden Oval.
Last Modified on 19/06/2012 10:08