By Luke Mason
A five goal final term has powered Collingwood to a hard-fought 15-point win over Port Melbourne at Visy Park on Sunday afternoon.
Although the Borough appeared the better side for much of the day, it was the Pies who finished full of running, as they swiftly set about mowing down the 16-point three-quarter time deficit.
Port Melbourne hit the front through a Chris Cain soccer goal from the goal square early in the second quarter, and were not headed until midway though the final stanza, when Collingwood’s Chris Bryan snapped a beauty from the pocket.
Skipper Damien Peverill was in everything for the Magpies, directing traffic in the heavy conditions, and remaining calm in the frenetic final term.
His ability to set up play was well complimented by the form of the diminutive Jarryd Blair beneath the packs. Although he stands only 174cm, Blair is fast making a name for himself as one of the in-form midfielders in the state. The 2008 Morrish Medallist is strong over the ball, and remains composed when in possession, and is making all the right noises about gaining a senior selection later in the season.
Fabian Deluca was strong around the ground for Port, while Sam Dwyer and Phillip Raymond both added bite around the forward line. Cain also enjoyed a fine afternoon, snagging three majors.
The match opened in heavy rain, which rarely let up throughout the first half. It appeared as if Collingwood had acclimatised to the conditions the better, as they led at quarter time thanks to the sharp shooting Bryan after the siren.
Port Melbourne made their move in the second quarter, kicking five goals to one to set up a 16-point break at the main break. Collingwood was left to rue its inaccuracy, squandering a number of opportunities in front of goal.
Both teams traded goals during the third term, but momentum built by two late goals to Blair and Peverill, which reduced the margin back to 10-points, were erased when Mark Wall intercepted a an errant Magpie handball in defence and snapped from close range, stretching Port’s three-quarter time lead back to its half time margin.
But the final term belonged to Collingwood, with an early Tyson Goldsack major preceding a number of behinds, as the Pies frittered away several golden opportunities. Fortunately for Gavin Brown’s men, Tim Hunt came to the rescue with one of the goals of the day from a sharp angle, drawing the Magpies back within a point, as forward pressure began to take its toll, with Port unable to clear effectively from their kickouts.
The Borough weren’t done with, for the ball was whisked down to the Royal Parade end from the bounce, as Raymond snared his first for the afternoon to again stretch the margin back out to seven points.
Collingwood remained undeterred, wresting control of the lead through Bryan minutes later, before Cameron Wood and Brent Macaffer applied the icing to the cake, guiding the Pies to a 15-point victory.
The win takes the Pies to fifth spot on the VFL ladder, and its 5-3 standing after eight matches (and one bye) provides a strong platform for the side to launch a charge at September action. They face Werribee at Chirnside Park next Saturday afternoon at 1.10pm.
Port Melbourne, meanwhile, is level with Collingwood at 5-3, and will have the week off thanks to the split round next week, before hosting Coburg at TEAC Oval the following Saturday at 1.10pm.
Collingwood: 4.2, 5.8, 8.11, 13.19 (97)
Port Melbourne: 3.2, 8.6, 11.9, 12.10 (82)
GOALS – Collingwood: Bryan 2, Peverill 2, Corrie 2, Johnson, Dawes, Blair, Hunt, Macaffer, Goldsack, Wood.
Port Melbourne: Cain 3, Bonaddio 2, Dwyer, Schultz, Fanning, McLaren, Deluca, McMahon, Raymond.
BEST – Collingwood: Peverill, Blair, Macaffer, Reid, Cook, Beams, Bryan.
Port Melbourne: Deluca, Pinwall, McGrath, Dalton, Raymond, Dwyer.
Last Modified on 09/06/2009 17:24