Semi Final
by Mark Towson
Port Melbourne hosted the Box Hill Hawks in a replay of last season’s semi final in what was set to be another thriller.
The first minute of the opening term saw Borough champ Toby Pinwill get reported for charging the Hawks Gary Moss. Moments later a silly free kick saw Box Hill kick the first goal of the game.
The next 23 minutes was an arm wrestle with Port having 5 shots on goal but unable to kick a major. At the 26 minute mark Box Hill’s Brad Neil broke the deadlock with a set from 30m out.
It took until the 28 minute mark for the Borough to kick there first through Ryan McMahon who drilled a 50m bomb. To the disappointment of the Port fans, Box Hill responded within 30 seconds.
With more inside 50 entries, Port went into quarter time trailing by 10 points.
Port’s frustrating goal kicking continued in the opening minutes of the 2nd quarter with 2 missed set shots to begin the term. Sam Dwyer then got on the end of a handball to kick a classy running goal from a tight angle to draw Port closer.
Toby Pinwill was sensationally ordered off the field seconds after Dwyer’s goal for a striking incident that will likely see him miss a few games early next season.
Despite the send off it was Port who had the momentum. 2 daring runs by Sam Dwyer and Malcolm Lynch saw Cory McGrath mark and goal from 30m out to see the Borough hit the front.
The next 10 minutes saw some outstanding VFL football from both sides. A goal to Box Hill’s Suckling was followed by a special goal to Port’s McGrath.
Ryan Shooter McMahon then kicked a set goal to give Port an 8 point lead at the 15 minute mark. But this was to be Port’s last goal for the half as the match was turned on its head.
A fluke goal from the Hawks Gary Moss saw Box Hill go a run of 4 consecutive goals. 3 of these goals were all kicked in the same pocket from the boundary line to really hurt Port.
In the last bit of play for the term, Malcolm Lynch should have received a holding the ball free kick but this was overlooked to the astonishment of the Borough crowd.
At half time Port had a big task in front of them selves to get back into the match with a 16 point deficit.
After just 4 minutes of the third term, Box Hill had kicked 2 goals and went out to a 29 point lead. The warning bells were ringing for Port’s season.
Again it was Port’s Sam Dwyer who goaled for the borough after a 50m penalty that just kept the game within reach. Right on the 13 minute mark, captain Ryan McMahon drilled one from long range and all of the sudden it was a 3 goal game.
Former Dandenong Stingray, Myles Pitt was next to kick one for Port with a mark and goal from 50m. Port were beginning surge and the crowd was brought to life.
Port started to pepper the goals with a couple of near misses to Lynch, Pitt and McGrath and then young Cal Sinclair marked and goaled to send the Borough faithful mad.
Port, had fought back and were now only 1 point down.
With the game now deep into time on Box Hill’s Riley Milne kicked a beauty for the Hawks from right on the boundary line to give them a 1 goal lead at ¾ time.
Although entering the last quarter kicking into a stiff breeze, Port was up and about at ¾ time and a stirring speech from Gary Ayres gave all indications that this would be a fight to the death. The first 3 minutes of the last term was a great contest of two teams simply desperate for victory.
Port was able to kick the first goal of the last quarter through Chris Cain. Malcolm Lynch set the goal up when he rushed a ball forward towards Adrian Bonaddio who gave off a slick handball that had Cain running into an open goal. The roar was deafening as Cain raced into goal and leveled the scores.
The big crowd was witnessing one of the most pressure packed games you could imagine as every single possession was tightly contested.
Box Hill left footer, Matt Suckling was next to goal when he took a brave mark and kicked truly from 35m out. This took the margin back out to 6 points in favour of the Hawks.
Port were holding on bravely against all odds but when Shane Savage goaled for the Hawks 17 minutes into the term it was evident Port needed the next or it was curtains.
But that’s just what Myles Pitt delivered after taking a great mark and slotting a goal from a very tight angle. Again there was just a goal in it and the game was up for grabs.
The Borough also kicked the next goal through another good grab from Myles Pitt and with just minutes left the scores were level.
With 27 minutes gone Ryan McMahon’s snap on goal just missed however his point put Port in front. Less than a minute later Sam Gibson equaled the scores and with just 23 seconds remaining Box Hill youngster Hoegel snapped a goal that put Box Hill up.
But the game wasn’t over yet as Port ran the ball forward and looked to snatch back the goal they just conceded. With the ball in the forward pocket, Cory McGrath was tackled and thrown to the ground without the ball but no free kick was given. Then the siren sounded to hand Port the most crushing of defeats.
So close, yet so far for the brave Port Melbourne side that gave it everything they had.
One can only wonder what might have been in season 2010 with stars Valenti, Bentick, Galea, Brewer, McLaren, Batsanis and a dejected Toby Pinwill all watching on as there side couldn’t get across the line.
All involved at Port will be hoping that the current list with Gary Ayres in charge stays together over summer and comes back bigger and better in 2011. And has a touch more luck.
Go The Mighty Borough!
Port Melbourne 1.5 5.8 9.14 12.17 (89)
Box Hill Hawks 3.3 8.6 11.7 14.11 (95)
GOALS:
Port Melbourne: McMahon 3 Pitt 3 McGrath 2 Dwyer 2 Sinclair Cain
Box Hill Hawks: Suckling 4 Hoegel 3 Kayler-Thomson 2 Milne Neil Moss Breust Savage
BEST:
Port Melbourne: Dwyer Johnston Lynch Suckling Pitt McMahon
Box Hill Hawks: Suckling Lisle Pedersen Hoegel Shiels Kayler-Thomson
Last Modified on 09/09/2010 13:25