On an important day for Australia in political terms, Peter Jackson VFL fans voted with their feet as a healthy crowd witnessed Port Melbourne score a crucial victory over Essendon at Windy Hill.
In a battle of top-eight rivals, the Borough elected to withstand a second-half onslaught to prevail by seven points and move two games clear of the eighth-placed Bombers.
In Saturday’s other games, Coburg fended off an inaccurate Footscray to win by 12 points and move ever closer to a top-eight position, while Collingwood has temporarily moved into second spot on the ladder after accounting for the Northern Blues by 13 points.
COBURG 13.7 (85) d FOOTSCRAY 9.19 (73)
Streak: Coburg – W W L W W / Footscray – W L W W L
Telling facts: The Lions moved level on premiership points with seventh-placed Geelong, defeating Footscray at Piranha Park to record their fourth win in five games. Ahmed Saad booted three goals in the first quarter to establish an early advantage for Coburg, but the Bulldogs worked their way back to within three points at the final change. The Lions responded strongly though, slotting the only two majors of the last term to prevail.
Leading goalkickers: Saad 6, Younan 2 (Coburg) / T.Boyd 4 (Footscray)
PORT MELBOURNE 12.8 (80) d ESSENDON 10.13 (73)
Streak: Port Melbourne – W L W W W / Essendon – L W L W L
Telling facts: It was a game of two halves at Windy Hill. Port Melbourne got the best of a spirited and entertaining first half in which momentum regularly shifted, establishing a crucial 28-point lead at the main break. Essendon’s intensity lifted in the second half but the Bombers were unable to convert their dominance onto the scoreboard, kicking just 4.10 to 2.1 in terms three and four to let an important win over a top-eight rival get away.
Leading goalkickers: Dickson 3, Lisle 2, Sandilands 2 (Port Melbourne) / Kommer 2, J.Langford 2, Grimley 2, Heavyside 2 (Essendon)
COLLINGWOOD 15.9 (99) d NORTHERN BLUES 13.8 (86)
Streak: Collingwood – W W W W W / Northern Blues – W W W L L
Telling facts: Collingwood stunned the Blues early at the Holden Centre, piling on seven goals to just three behinds in the first quarter and taking a 46-point lead into half time. Northern responded strongly with five straight majors to finish the third term, but the Magpies steadied in the final stanza to claim a sixth straight win and consolidate their place in the top four.
Leading goalkickers: Ferguson 3, White 2, Borthwick 2, L.Howe 2 (Collingwood) / Boekhorst 2, L.Jones 2, Jaksch 2, Kerbatieh 2 (Northern Blues)
CLICK HERE for the full results, best players and goalkickers
CLICK HERE for the updated ladder
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Sandringham vs Frankston (Casey Radio)
Williamstown vs North Ballarat
Richmond vs Casey Scorpions (Channel 7)
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Last Modified on 02/07/2016 18:47
