Port Melbourne defied the odds and momentum of Saturdays contest to turn around a 24 point final quarter deficit to snatch victory from the visiting Casey Scorpions in a thrilling and highly entertaining encounter at North Port Oval. Port demonstrated an amazing never-say-die attitude to claim the win by just three points and inflicted the first defeat of the season on Casey, as Alexander McLeman reports.
The battle between last season’s top two finishers was always going to showcase the incredible talents both sides had to offer. Casey had the better of the afternoon over the course of the match with quick transitions, high tempo pressure and expert goal kicking but when the Scorpions needed to dig deep and find that extra gear they lacked the same drive and motivation Port had which ultimately cost them the contest.
The opening quarter began with Casey dictating the pace of play with a quick-fire goal from Nathan Page to give them the lead midway through the quarter. Port finally came alive with goals from Heath O’Farrell and Joshua Scipione to take the lead. Casey missed a late opportunity at goal with Port holding a four point lead at quarter time.
Casey shot out of the blocks in the second quarter with another goal from Page to regain the lead for the visitors. Adrian Bonaddio grabbed a goal back for Port but Casey soon went on a three goal run to wrap up the half leading by 17 points.
As the match progressed into the third quarter Port this time started proceedings off with a goal from Ryan Gale. The fans in attendance began to sense a Borough fightback with Port showing more drive than in the first half, but Casey quickly grabbed a goal back through Page again to assert their continued control over the scoreboard. Another goal each from Bonaddio for Port and Casey kept the scores tight but the visitors quickly went on another three goals to one march to end the third quarter with a commanding 24-point lead.
Much like the opening exchanges in the previous three quarters Port opened the scoring through Chris Cain but this time the home side followed it up with subsequent goals from Sam O’Sullivan and Scipione (2) to begin a miraculous fightback from 24 points down. Casey managed to right the ship for a short period with goals from Aaron Davey and JackFitzpatrick but Port were the team with the ascendancy with a further set of goals from Scipione, Cain and Sam Pleming to wrap up proceedings and finish off a spectacular match with a three point win, and their two and a half year dominance at home intact.
Port now climb up the ladder into third while Casey dropped to second with their first loss of the season.
Next up for both teams is a trip to Windy Hill to face the Bombers for Port while Casey faces Box Hill at Casey Fields in the ABC TV game.
Port Melbourne Goals: Scipione (4), O’Sullivan (3), O’Farrell (2), Bonaddio (2), Gale, Cain, Pleming and Woodley.
Casey Scorpion Goals: Fitzpartick (3) Dawes (3) Page (3) Rodan (2) Davey, Toumpas and Couch.
Photo: Morgan Hancock
Last Modified on 07/05/2013 13:16