A new look Port Melbourne has opened its account with a 23-point win over a gallant Northern Blues at North Port Oval in Round 2 of the Peter Jackson VFL.
On a wet Anzac Day the Borough were made to fight hard for the win, with the Blues edging to within a point early into the final term before the home side lifted to record a 15.14.104 to 11.15.81 win as Shane Goss reports.
Port Melbourne small forward, Blake Pearson was the star, booting a game-high four goals while full-back Daniel Noonan restricted the Blues Matthew Watson’s influence after quarter-time.
Interim skipper Chris Cain was prominent gathering 26 possessions for the home side, with Tom Wilson (23 disposals, one goal), Nick Graham (26) and ruckman Robbie Warnocks (19 and 35 hitouts) in the Blues’ best.
Port Melbourne had several debutants in a side which has lost over 800 games of experience in the offseason, with the departures of names like John Baird, Sam Pleming and Shane Valenti.
Former Hawk and Lion, Jordan Lisle, started his career at North Port Oval in the best fashion, kicking the first of the game before Watson started to influence the match, kicking two of the next three goals for the Blues.
Port regrouped to kick the last three goals of the quarter to take a twelve point lead into the first change.
Northern's Nick Holman had the job on Port midfielder James Magner and there was plenty of niggle between the pair in the first half.
The Borough had increased the margin to 20-points by half-time after a four goal to two second term including a fine snap from Joshua Purcell to the cheers from the Norm Goss Stand.
The Blues came out in the second-half with purpose and started to find targets with their entries forward. They booted five goals to two and reduced the margin to just two points at the final change.
Port needed to halt the Blues' momentum and goals to Pearson and Tom Langford did just that. They held the Blues to one goal for the term and kicked the last three of the match to claim the victory.
The only sour note for the Borough was the injury to Guy Dickson who was carried from the field in the second quarter with a suspected broken ankle.
Port Melbourne meet Werribee back at North Port in round three this weekend while the Blues, hunting for their first win, face a tough challenge away to Sandringham.
Photo by Shane Goss
Last Modified on 26/04/2015 22:48
