In an amazing day of VFL action, 14 points was the biggest margin across all five games played Saturday.
VFL fans were entertained by some thrilling final terms across the matches, with Geelong, Collingwood, Northern Blues, Footscray and North Ballarat all recording memorable victories.
Plenty of changes have occured to the ladder after the Saturday matches, as we take a look at how all games unfolded:
Port suffers first defeat
Geelong has held off a fast finishing Port Melbourne to inflict the ladder leaders’ first defeat of the season.
The win broke a three game losing streak for the Cats, and got their season back on track.
After an even first term, Geelong got the advantage in the second with Brad Hartman providing them an option to goal. Former Cat Sandy Robinson kept Port in the game with two second quarter goals, but the Cats entered the second half 17 points up.
Geelong extended this margin to 34 at three quarter time, in what looked to be a runaway win for the luckless Cats.
But Port showed the spirit that had seen it undefeated after seven matches so far this season, nearing stealing victory in the final term.
Four unanswered goals to open the term – two from Josh Scipione – saw the Borough claw to within nine points of the home side, with all the momentum going their way. Jack Hollmer kicked the Cats only goal of the final term to give them some breathing space, but Luke Tynan then John Baird from a free kick cut the margin to just three points. That would be how it would finish, as the Cats held on for their first win since Round 4.
Allen Christensen made a positive return for Geelong being their best, along with Hollmer (3 goals), Hunt and Jackson Thurlow.
For Port, Robinson, Julian Rowe and Scipione kicked two each, with Chris Cain, Toby Pinwill and Tom O’Sulivan among their best.
Dogs over Dolphins
Footscray has continued the winless start to the season for Frankston, taking the lead just before three quarter time to hold on for a 14-point win.
It was an all too regular story for the Dolphins, leading in the third quarter only to see the four points slip away in the final term.
Midway through the first term Frankston led by 15 points, but two late goals to Ayce Cordy saw the Dogs within a couple of points at quarter time.
Frankston led by under a goal at the first two changes, but the third term was where the game changed, as two late third quarter goals to the Bulldogs gave them the three quarter time lead by four points. When Jason Johannisen and Brett Goodes opened the final term with goals, it gave the visitors 14-point lead and they never looked back.
Jack Redpath and Cordy kicked three each for the Bulldogs, with Lin Jong, Darley and Cordy their best.
Ziggie Alwan was the major goal scorer for Frankston with three, while Ben Cavarra (two goals), Leigh Kitchin and Nick Newman were their best.
Four in a row for Roosters
A five goal to one final term has seen North Ballarat jump into the top eight, with a two point win over Box Hill Hawks. The loss was the second in a row for the Hawks, but it was the fourth win in a row for the Roosters who doubled their score in the final term on their way to victory.
After keeping North Ballarat goalless in the third term, Box Hill led by 23 points going to the final quarter. With only three goals till three quarter time, no one could of predicted such a form turnaround from the Roosters, storming home with the last four unanswered goals.
It was Nathan Horbury that kicked the Roosters first goal since the first half, eight minutes into the final term. While Box Hill replied, North Ballarat then came to life as Jordan Staley kicked his second goal of the game, then Nick Rippon, Nick Peters and Lachlan George helped the Roosters into the lead as the clock ticked into time on. They were then able to hang on for a memorable win.
Ben Jacobs (39 disposals) continued his dominant VFL form of late with another 30 plus possession game, and was among the best along with Nick Peters (31), Trent Dumont (26) and Max Warren.
Sam Grimley kicked three for the Hawks, with Sam Collins, Will Langford and Jordan Kelly their best.
Blues return to winners list
The Northern Blues have broken a four game losing streak, with a 12-point defeat of Sandringham at Visy Park.
The loss was the Zebras’ fourth in a row, but provided VFL debutant Chris Judd a perfect Northern Blues introduction with a win and 17 disposals in his return from injury.
- CLICK HERE to view a photo gallery of Chris Judd's return
The Northern Blues led at every change, but were unable to shake the persistent Zebras. A run of four unanswered goals – three before three quarter time and the opener of the final term – helped set up the win as the Blues quickly jumped out to a 24-point lead.
Sandringham struggled for avenues to goal, with Yllber Zijai their leading goal kicker with two.
For the Northern Blues, Jaryd Cachia was their best with 33 disposals, along with Nick Graham (32), Matthew Watson (20) and Jack Anthony. Tom Wilson, Tyson Thomas and Graham kicked two each.
Jimmy Webster was great for the Zebras off half back, along with James Gwilt in defense then a brief move forward in the final term, Jason Holmes and Dylan Weickhardt.
Magpies move into top 4
Collingwood has moved into the top four with a nail biting six point win over Casey Scorpions.
Trailing by three points at three quarter time, it was not till midway through the final term that Caolan Mooney soccered through the match winning goal to put the Magpies in front.
Matt Suckling made his Collingwood debut, and the former SANFL player impressed with a best on ground performance, joined in the best by Ben Kennedy, Jake Williams and Jack Hellier. Ben Reid returned from injury with two goals, one of four multiple goal kickers with two each to Kyle Martin, Tim Allan and Suckling.
Dean Kent kicked three for the Scorpions and was best on ground for Casey, with two each to Dom Barry, and Matthew Rennie. Joining Kent in the best were Jordie McKenzie, Aiden Riley and James Strauss.
SUNDAY GAMES
Williamstown vs Werribee Tigers (VFL Radio)
Bendigo vs Coburg
Photo: Arj Giese
Last Modified on 07/06/2014 23:25