VFL Round 11
by Mark Towson
Port Melbourne hosted the Coburg Tigers in Round 11 of the VFL on Saturday. The Borough were looking to surge into the top four, while Coburg needed a win to keep their season alive.
The game started in very scrappy fashion with both sides struggling to adapt to the heavy conditions.
Coburg began the game with plenty of run and carry and were looking quite dangerous. The speed of Hicks, Nahas, Carnell and Webberly was a concern for Port.
Chris Cain kicked Port’s first goal with a nice left foot effort which followed by goals to Ryan McMahon and Wayne Schultz.
At quarter time Coburg had a slight advantage leading 4.2.26 to 3.2.20.
The second term was a great one to watch with both sides kicking 5 goals. Port’s biggest home crowd so far this season would have been entertained, and there was plenty of highlights.
Port’s Cory McGrath and Nathan Batsanis were outstanding, while the agile Callum Sinclair was marking everything and providing a great target up forward.
Port’s single goal kickers for the term were Batsanis, McGrath, Galea, Sinclair and Pinwill.
The real highlight of the term was a number of classy goals by Coburg and Richmond speedster Robert Hicks.
Many Port supporters would fondly remember his father, Ashley kicking similar type goals in his 129 games at the Borough.
At half time it was Coburg 9.4.58 to Port 8.6.54.
A feature of Port’s first half of the season has been some sensational third quarters. Unfortunately for Borough supporters, this didn’t eventuate.
Coburg’s ball use and skill level was excellent, combined with some deadly goal kicking and Port were under the pump.
Port did have their chances but a couple of missed set shots and turnovers really hurt them.
Gun forward Dean Galea, was continually doubled teamed and the Tigers always had a ruckman or spare man in defence. This was stifling Galea’s one on one ability and clogging up Ports forward line.
Only Shane Valenti and Cal Sinclair could put majors on the board in a term that saw Coburg stretch its lead to 20 points.
When the siren sounded for ¾ time it was Coburg who out scored the Borough with a 5 goal to 2 goal term.
At the last break Coburg lead 14.6.90 to 10.10.70.
Port were determined to get the first goal of the last quarter, but a late and high spoil by Port defender Phil Raymond cost his side an early goal. A 50m penalty and report was also issued.
Port answered soon after with a goal to Dalton followed by a nice long kick by Cal Sinclair.
The game turned into a real arm wrestle with the clock now Port’s enemy.
When Dean Galea got on the end of a handball and kicked his second, the margin was brought back to 9 points with about 6 minutes to go.
On a day when Port Melbourne was celebrating its 1980 premiership, there was to be no fairytale finish like that special day many moons ago.
Coburg were abit cleaner when it mattered and sealed the game by kicking the last 2 goals of the match.
Gary Ayres could count on one hand, the number of home losses he has had since taking over in 2008. This loss would be a bitter pill to swallow.
A number of Port’s players didn’t have their usual impact and with some better goal kicking the result could have been very different.
Sam Pleming was outstanding all day with his superb reading of play and great hands.
Big man Cal Sinclair took plenty of grabs and finished with 3 goals.
Port’s other good players were Southport recruit Jason Burge, Phil Raymond, Steve Brewer and Wayne Schultz.
Next week Port Melbourne takes on the Bendigo Bombers in the ABC match of the round.
The Borough will want to get one back on Bendigo after a loss to them earlier on in the season.
It will also be a crucial game in regards to Port’s top four aspirations.
See you all at Teac Oval at 1pm next Saturday
Go the Mighty Borough!
Port Melbourne 3.2 8.6 10.10 14.12 (96)
Coburg Tigers 4.2 9.4 14.6 18.9 (117)
GOALS:
Port Melbourne: Sinclair 3 Galea 2 Dalton McGrath Pinwill Batsanis Schultz Bonaddio McMahon Cain Valenti
Coburg Tigers: Hicks 4 Carnell 3 Lawton 3 Morton 2 Webberley 2 Fewster Polo Nahas Jordon
BEST:
Port Melbourne: Pleming Sinclair Burge Raymond Brewer Schultz
Coburg Tigers: Rance Power Morton Carnell Hicks Gourdis
Last Modified on 05/07/2010 10:13