Six rounds down in the VFL season, and already we are faced with our second top of the ladder clash. Port Melbourne and Williamstown will both enter round seven of VFL action with an undefeated record to their names. At the end of the round, one team will keep their winning run intact, and will take sole ownership of top spot of the ladder early in the season.
The two clubs form the longest rivalry in the VFA/VFL, having played 233 games against each other, with Port in front 123 to 104 (with 6 draws).
For Port Melbourne, they are no strangers to a top of the ladder clash, having overcome a determined Northern Bullants line up in round four. Their opponents Williamstown have been quietly waiting in the wings, trading top spot with the Borough in recent weeks leading up to their round seven decider at TEAC Oval on Saturday.
The last time these teams met was in the qualifying final in 2010, with the Seagulls convincing 58 point winners. The game remains fresh in the minds of those at Port Melbourne, especially coach Gary Ayres.
“We are very much looking forward to it (the top of the ladder clash) as Williamstown really touched us up in the qualifying final at Box Hill and made us look second rate.
“We believe that we have improved and it is a great challenge for us as a football club to play against the old arch enemy who are travelling very very nicely and we will get another really good indication as to what we need to be doing if we are to be taken as a serious finals contender,” Ayres said.
“We are really looking forward to it as a group. Some home and away games are much bigger than others and I am sure this will be one that I would like to think is going to give the VFL a great advertisement for the way the standard of the game is played these days.”
Williamstown coach Peter German could not agree more with his rival coach regarding the top of the ladder clash, showcasing what the VFL has to offer from its current two form sides.
“It is a great game for the VFL. I have no doubt it will be a high quality game as both teams have been playing pretty good footy,” German said.
“Port has topped up really well from the players they had last year and the new players this year like Rose and Wayde Skipper and a few back from injury. At the moment we see them as the yardstick of the competition, they are really well skilled at the moment and are moving the ball well from what I have seen, and are scoring well. I think it is going to be a high quality game.”
Port Melbourne are gearing up for their second top of the ladder clash in a month, something coach Ayres is pleased about after their early season fixture.
“If you had of said we would have been 4-0 after the first month having played three of last years finalists – yes, you would have said it would have given us a good start to the year.
“To be able to win, or hold our own, we have been able to do that. We understand that each week presents itself in a unique situation and you cannot rest on what you have done the week before, and we are going to be scrutinised every single week as we are a stand alone club and we do not have that aligned situation.
“All we can do is be understanding of what we can do, understanding of our external expectations and make sure we represent ourselves in a competitive state and a competitive state of mind and that is what I want as a coach, and that is what I am happy with when the boys do that, which they have been able to do,” Ayres said.
Despite defeating fellow top eight side Sandringham on the weekend, Williamstown found at the end of the round that they had dropped to second spot on the ladder on percentage due to Port’s big 122 point win over Frankston. For German the placing on the ladder so early in the season is not his prime concern.
“It is still only early days – we have played only 5 games – so at the moment I don’t think anyone is really worried whether you are top or second, everyone at the moment is just jockeying for positions.
“We are trying to get the early wins which are really important as you do not know what could happen at the back end of the season with injuries or a drop in form so early wins are good wins far as we look at it. We see this as being a really good challenge for us this week.”
Both teams will feature a wealth of talent with Port Melbourne’s best last week reading Adam Bentick, Nathan Batsanis, Shane Valenti and John Baird. While Dean Galea will be missing from the line up this wee after 5 goals last week, Myles Pitt might be an amble replacement after 21 goals in the reserves this season on an extended bench that includes Corey McGrath and David Fanning. Off season Port recruits Patrick Rose (19 goals this season) and Wayde Skipper will both be facing their former side Williamstown for the first time.
Williamstown are confident Mitch Hahn will take his spot in the team after missing the second half last week against Sandringham. Hahn has kicked 16 goals for the Seagulls this season, but in his absence in the second half last week new Williamstown recruit Brett Goodes filled the void kicking four goals (five for the game), and Bulldogs rookie Matthew Panos contributed four goals. Williamstown boast a strong midfield led by captain Brett Johnson, and joined by Ben Davies and Ben Jolley. Bulldogs listed player Zeph Skinner will return to the side this week, and will be joined by Luke Dahlhaus and Andrew Hooper who impressed for the Seagulls last week.
The game kicks off at 2pm this Saturday May 14 at TEAC Oval, Williamstown Rd, Port Melbourne.
Follow the game on Twitter:
We will be using our VFL Twitter account to keep supporters up to date with all the latest info from the top of the ladder clash. Simply search for @VFLnews on Twitter and follow us to get all the latest info from TEAC Oval. Apart from the top of the ladder clash, we will also have regular score updates for all other VFL matches over the weekend, so be sure to get involved, and ensure you add #VFL when tweeting scores.
Last Modified on 13/05/2011 13:41