It is a rivalry that dates back almost to the start of the competition itself – Williamstown versus Port Melbourne.
In 1886 the head to head battles began, and this weekend they will come together for their 243rd encounter.
For the first time in five years Port Melbourne coach Gary Ayres will face a new adversary, with Hawthorn premiership teammate Andy Collins now in charge of the new standalone Williamstown outfit.
Sunday will be only the second time the two coaches have competed against each other, the first being last year in the FOXTEL Cup when Collins was in charge of West Adelaide – the eventual winners of the 2013 knockout competition.
Four points are on the line this weekend, but Collins knows there is a lot more at stake in this match.
“You feel the weight of expectation as a coach.
“There are a couple of games each year that you need to perform well as a coach and playing against Port Melbourne is one of them,” Collins said.
“It (Williamstown vs Port) is one of the great mythologies that circle around football. There has always been this wonderful, healthy rivalry that has been at the base of the VFA/VFL.”
For Ayres, it will be his seventh season leading Port into battle against the old enemy, and he is looking forward to continuing the history, especially against a familiar face, in a milestone year for both clubs.
“I would imagine that Andy is very much looking forward to the match.
“It is their 150th celebratory year, and our 140th, and obviously we are premiership teammates (at Hawthorn) and have a good relationship,” Ayres said.
“They have had some close losses (this season), but over the last fortnight they’ve been in pretty good form.”
Despite sitting in second spot on the ladder, undefeated with four other sides, Ayres believes his side is yet to produce a four quarter performance; with an eight goal last term versus Coburg, a nine goal first quarter against Collingwood, and a seven goal second quarter against Werribee.
“We have been getting the job done playing in bursts, rather than a four quarter performance so far.”
Both teams will be missing key players this weekend, with Willie Wheeler out for the Seagulls for a number of weeks after surgery, and Marcus Marigliani on the sidelines for Port, serving a one week suspension.
Collins, however, introduced one of his key off season recruits last weekend in Kane Lambert,
“We were really please to get him (Lambert) through.
“He has been really close every week, but had pulled up sore in the last training session.
“He got through his first game, and recovered really well, but it will take him a few weeks to get back to his best.”
Williamstown versus Port Melbourne, this Sunday at Burbank Oval.
Last Modified on 24/04/2014 23:43