Portland v Terang-Mortlake : Perfect football conditions-virtually no wind and pleasant temperatures-heralded the start the start of the season decider. Defences dominated the early exchanges with no easy possessions to be had by either side. in fact, it was 12 minutes into the quarter before the 1st score was registered. The Bloods then threw off the shackles with a brace of goals which was a fitting reward for their sharper movement and cleaner marking skills. In contrast, the Tigers were having trouble breaking into clear territory to establish scoring chances and this, allied to a tendency to turn the ball over contributed to them trailing by 11 points at the initial break.
A rapid fire start to the 2nd quarter by Terang made Portland's plight worse and it was well into the quarter before the Tigers were able to respond with effective scoring of their own. When it did happen, the Tigers looked good and the game was very much on as they drew level. Their ability to run the ball and set up viable scoring opportunities was the critical factor at this stage of the game. Yet no sooner had this happened when a couple of defensive errors on Portland's behalf let Terang out to another vital space ahead of Portland on the scoreboard. Basically, playing from behind is not the way to win games and when you are giving away size to the opposition, it becomes even more crucial to work to the front. But to the Tigers credit, they fought back and narrowed the margin to a couple of points, only to let the Bloods in for morale boosting goal right on half time.
A deficit of 9 points was the scenario for the Tigers was the problem that had to be overcome. The 3rd term saw another rapid fire start, this time to Portland but before too long Terang established a period of dominance and it was evident their marking power was causing Portland problems all over the park. The Tigers were hanging on a by a thread and a couple of solo efforts from Jay Moody and Rowan Marshall kept them in the hunt the for glory. Terang had it by 12 points at the final changeover and Portland needed to lift significantly if they were to claim the prize.
However Terang's aerial superiority enabled them to stamp their authority on proceedings and they eased out to a 4 goal lead before the Tigers came back in with a bit of gusto and they clawed their way to within a couple of kicks. Terang responded and eventually they were able to withstand the Tiger challenge and in a highly entertaining game, they got to the finish line ahead of Portland by some 13 points. There were some excellent contibutors in the black and gold, none better than Rowan Marshall who was superb in his marking and rucking skills. Jake Edwards was a continual livewire around the ground, both burrowing in and setting up chances for his colleagues. Jay Moody was inffluential up forward and nabbed 5 goals whilst others to perform with credit were Hamish Withers, Mitch Bunworth and Dylan Murray.
Final scores: Portland 11-4=70
Terang-Mortlake 12-11=83
Last Modified on 21/09/2013 16:31