Under 18.5's: In brilliant contrast to the previous week's torrential downpours, the sun shone brightly on Hanlon Park as both defences were on top in the first quarter with goals proving to be in short supply. A goal right on the siren saw the Tigers have the lead by just that at the initial stopover. Despite the greasy ball, the skills displayed by each team were of quite a reasonable standard. In the 2nd quarter again neither side could break the shackles until a splendid piece of hard running from Michael Matthews resulted in a Portland goal, which was quickly answered by South Warrnambool. From then on, the Tigers took control and they held sway by 15 points at the long break. The defences again reasserted their strengths in the 3rd term, making goals a premium, in fact only two majors were regisitered for the term both of them coming from Portland counter-attacks. This enabled the home side to stretch their margin to four goals at the final changeover. The Tigers stampeded their superiority in the final term, slotting home 4 goals in rapid fine fashion before deciding to ease the throttle and cantering home by 52 points.
Plenty of good players in Tiger colours the more prominent being, Nathan Jennings, Matt Kelly, Rowan Marshall, Michael Matthews, Mitch Bunworth and Jake Hawker.
Final Scores
Portland 12.12-84
South Warrnambool 4.8 -32
Reserves : The Tigers seemed to make light work of the heavy centre square as they moved the ball fluently around the park. With clever use of the ball, they opened up a break of a few goals which they maintained through the long break. The 3rd term saw South sharpen their intensity and they were able to significantly reduce the deficit. So much so that the Tigers had a bare 2 point in their favour at the final change. Portland had slowed to a walk and the problem was could they raise another gallop to withstand the Rooster challenge. As it turned out, the Tigers failed to hold out, South who ran into overdrive in the last quarter. Portland, hampered by injury problems, gave it a fair shot, but in the final analysis they ran out of legs and South did it comfortably by 23 points.
Better players for Portland were Zane Wakely, Michael Carr, Jamie Blacksell, Matt Herbertson, Eddie Williamson and Zac Shepherd.
Final Scores
Portland 8.10-58
South Warrnambool 13.9-81
Seniors : South Warrnambool whipped away to a rapid start, moving the ball cleanly around the ground. Two quick goals had the Roosters looking good and the home side were playing catch up football. This they did quite effectively, but at the first break South had the lead by 5 points. The game settled into a predictable trend in the 2nd quarter with South maximising their scoring chances whereas the Tigers would work hard to get the ball into the scoring zone, only to turn it over. This made hard work of scoring and Portland slipped further behind with South having it by 13 points at the long break. The home side upped the ante in the 3rd term and quickly reeled in the opposition. Moving the ball with greater precision, the key target men up forward relished the supply and converted effectively. Jarrod Hayse, Dennis O'Loughlin and Coach Holt were instrumental in these passages of play that saw the Tigers in front by 11 points at the final change. South booted the opening goal of the last term to edge closer, but then Portland sprang to life and well into the last quarter they had opened up a gap of 16 points. The Roosters dug deep and with a couple of quick goals they were within a kick. It was real gritty stuff but the Tigers did enough to shade it at the final siren to win by a skinny 5 points.
Some real triers today, the pick of them being Ben Malcolm, Rhys Egan, Scott Clark, Jaron Quinlivan, Luke Van Heugten and Jaydon Stiles.
Final Scores
Portland 12.5-77
South Warrnambool 11.6-72
Last Modified on 19/05/2013 18:49