TWO of Victoria’s oldest football clubs – Collingwood and Port Melbourne - will square off for its VFL finals encounter in a cut-throat Elimination Final.
Collingwood, the competition’s big improver in 2013, lock horns with Port Melbourne, which contests its sixth successive finals under Gary Ayres.
But, it’s the first time during Ayres’ reign that Port Melbourne has not finished in the top four.
And, it’s position in the finals wasn’t locked away until arch rival Williamstown and Essendon did it a favor with their respective wins against Northern Blues and North Ballarat, effectively ending those clubs final’s aspirations.
It’s hard to know what to make of Port Melbourne.
Do we expect the Port Melbourne that ran ladder-leader and flag favorite Geelong to six points in Round 18 in an epic match.
Or do we expect the Borough that won three of its last nine games - with two of those wins against Bendigo and Coburg?
While Port Melbourne has suffered key injuries and suspensions to stars Shane Valenti and Toby Pinwill that doesn’t explain such a volatile shift in performances.
Port Melbourne boasts the most experience of any club, but many of its prime movers are in the twilight of their career.
Will the Borough boys be able to keep up with the younger Magpies?
What will be in Port Melbourne’s favor is that the match is at North Port Oval, which is always like a fortress for the Borough.
It’s no coincidence that Port Melbourne produced its best footy against Geelong on its home deck. And, that was without Dean Galea, who returned to the team last week in stunning form to snatch a second ‘Frosty’ Miller Medal with a seven goal haul.
And, what of Collingwood? Well, Dale Tapping has turned around the VFL Magpies, which last season had no real impact although they did snap Port Melbourne’s winning streak.
Collingwood also own an eight point win against Port Melbourne back in Round 12 at Victoria Park.
No club has played in more close games than Collingwood’s 11 and they’ve won six of them, so the increased pressure of finals shouldn’t be an issue.
The VFL Magpies endured the toughest run into the finals with games against Geelong, Williamstown, Casey Scorpions and Werribee among its last six games.
Collingwood emerged with a place in the finals and with plenty of talented AFL players playing their role. Alan Didak has played much of the season in the VFL, but he’s likely to remain in the AFL.
But, last week, Collingwood’s VFL team included Darren Jolly, Andrew Krakouer, Ben Hudson, Jordan Russell, Kyle Martin and Jarrod Witts.
If Jolly and Hudson play they will test Port’s big men Wayde Skipper and Adrian Bonaddio.
It shapes as a match befitting two great clubs.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 31
2nd Elimination Final – North Port Oval, 2:10pm
Collingwood vs Port Melbourne
Last Modified on 30/08/2013 09:17