Round 15 action in the Peter Jackson VFL had a number of clubs looking to consolidate their positions in the top eight.
Port Melbourne took the opportunity to go further clear on top of the ladder, Werribee moved into the top four, Frankston broke a losing streak against Casey while North Ballarat created a gap between themselves and the sides outside of the eight.
Let's take a look back at the matches today and how they unfolded.
Developing talent helps Port
Port Melbourne has moved a game and half clear on top of the VFL ladder on Saturday night after a 52-point win over Coburg. In a close contest, with only 15 points separating the two teams at three quarter time, Port Melbourne kicked away in the final term with eight goals to two on the back of three goals to Seb Henderson.
The three leading goal kickers for Port had a combined four 2014 senior games between them, with Henderson finished the game with six goals in his first senior game of the season, a key target for the Borough along with Scott Clarke and Sam O’Sullivan with two each.
The midfield strength of Port again shone, with Toby Pinwill (34 possessions), Shane Valenti (24) joining Sam Pleming (24) and Henderson in the best.
Dion Hill kicked four goals for Coburg in his return to the senior side, with Ozgur Ulsal, Hill and Reilly O’Brien among the best.
Back to back for Dolphins
Frankston has recorded back to back wins for the first time this season, with a six point win over Casey Scorpions. Trailing by 12 points at three quarter time, it was Nic Newman who gave the visitors the lead late in the game, as the Dolphins peppered the goals in the final term with 11 scoring shot to three.
The win helped Frankston avoided their third draw of the season to overtake Casey on the VFL ladder, breaking a recent losing streak against the Scorpions dating back to 2006.
Scott Simpson, Luke Potts and Tim Harper kicked two goals each for Frankston, with captain Leigh Kitchin, Potts, Simpson and Josh Tynan among their best.
Max Gawn was the best on ground for Casey with four goals, 22 disposals and 45 hitouts in a dominant display, joined in the best by James Strauss (33 dispoasals/10 marks), Dan Nicholson (40 disposals) and Jack Fitzpatrick (12 marks).
Roosters win final regional battle
North Ballarat has moved a game and a half clear inside the top eight after a 69-point victory over regional rival Bendigo. After a close first half, the Roosters kicked 12 goals to three in the second half to claim a win in the final time the two sides will meet in the VFL.
The win came on the back of 13 individual goal kickers for the home side, with James Keebble and Bryce Curnow leading the way with three each, and Giampaolo, Aaron Mullett, Mitch Wilkins, Coleman Schache kicking two each.
Bendigo struggled to find targets up forward in the second half, with the Roosters defense restricting their opposition to fewer than 11 goals for the 10th time this season.
The Nick’s in Peters and Rippon were again in the best, along with Nathan Horbury, Keeble and Liam Anthony.
Steve Stroobants, Che Walls and Jake Aarts kicked two each for Bendigo, with Aarts, Matt Farrelly ad Daniel Toman in the best.
Tigers bounce back
An inaccurate Werribee has overcome a poor recent record against the Northern Blues at Visy Park to win by 29 points. The win pushes Werribee into the top four, and leaves the Blues dependent on the Sunday games to whether they will remain in the top eight at the end of the round.
The accuracy of the Northern Blues helped them to a nine point quarter time lead, despite Werribee having one more scoring shot in the first term. A four goal to one second term helped the Tigers into the lead, which they did not relinquish for the rest of the match with Mason Wood and Addam Maric dangerous up forward for the Tigers.
Anthony got the Blues within a kick in the final term, but Maric kicked two of his four goals to complete a three goal unanswered run to Werribee to help them run out winners.
Maric four goals and Wood three led the way for Werribee and were among the best along with Michael Sodomaco, Brody Mihocek and Tom Gribble.
Blaine Johnson was the only multiple goal kicker for the Blues, with Kane Lucas (25 disposals), Anthony (22) and Patrick Cripps (25) in the best.
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SUNDAY GAMES
Sandringham v Geelong (VFL Radio)
- CLICK HERE to read about Sandringham’s Yllber Zijai
Footscray v Essendon
- CLICK HERE to hear AFL Victoria's Xavier Moloney explain the Multicultural Round plans at Footscray on Sunday
To celebrate Multicultural Round, click the video below to watch David Mirra, Adam Marcon, Peter Faulks, Gatlauk Johnson and Joel Wilkinson talk about their multicultural ambassador roles, and some of the success stories they have experienced from Bachar Houli to the new Jimmy Toupas multicultural squad in Dandenong.
Photo: Arj Giese
Last Modified on 19/07/2014 18:45