Port Melbourne overcame a resilient, solid and hardworking Box Hill Hawks team on Sunday to kick start their Peter Jackson VFL season with a vital win. Port hit the lead in time on in the final term, eventually claiming the win by just four points -14.9.93 to 13.11.89 in what was a very close and even match, as Alexander McLeman reports.
The match began with Port asserting themselves early on with excellent kicking and hard running, pinning the Hawks back with suffocating pressure. Dean Galea opened the scoring with a precision kick from out wide to get Port on the scoreboard first which was quickly followed by his second to give Port an early lead. Following a Joshua Scipione goal Port had complete control of the match leading by 21 and looking the more dominant team.
As the opening quarter progressed the Hawks began to find more spaces in the Port defense, opening them up and getting the ball inside the Borough defensive 50. Sam Grimley was the first to convert for the Hawks following an excellent mark which was quickly followed by Michael Osborne who slotted home the Hawks second of the day bringing the margin back to eight points at the first break.
The second quarter picked-up where the first ended as the Hawks continued to pepper the goals. Amos Frank, Matt Spangher and Liam Tobin all slotted home majors in quick succession to quickly give the Hawks the lead by six points. The second quarter was in complete control of the Hawks who smothered and dictated the pace of the quarter with some excellent all-round play.
Port quickly hit back with a goal of their own from Galea but it was not enough to stop the onslaught from the Hawks who never let their grip on the match slip with four goals in quick succession from Luke Lowden (2), Xavier Murphy and Matt Spangher to give the Hawks a 19 point lead at half time.
The third term set the game up for a thrilling finale, with Port able to cut Box Hill’s lead back to just seven points.
As the rain began to fall in the final term, Port managed to find that extra gear and peg back the Hawks with some impressive kicking and intensive pressure. Final quarter goals from Grimley and Brandon Wood for the Hawks were ultimately not enough for Box Hill as Scipione (2), Josh Muling and Galea all kicked truly in a tense final quarter to lead Port Melbourne to victory 14.9.93 to 13.11.89.
Port Melbourne will look to continue their winning start to the season next week as they travel to Frankston while Box Hill faces Essendon at Windy Hill.
(Photo: Jenny Owens)
Last Modified on 11/04/2013 21:58