Under 18.5's - Facing the unbeaten Warrnambool combination, Portland were comprehensively outpointed for the duration of the first term. Second to the ball, the Tigers were on the receiving end of a lesson in the basic skills. The Blues hunted in numbers and used slick disposal to keep Portland scoreless until the first break whilst helping themselves to a few goals. The situation didn't improve in the early stages of the 2nd term. in fact it got decidedly worse as the Blues went on a scoring spree that completely overwhelmed the visitors. It was an experience that thePortland Under 18.5s unit has rarely endured and the scoreboard made grim reading at half time. The Tigers scoreline of zero left them 65 points astern at this stage. The onslaught didn't abate as the hard tackling and precision skills of the hosts continued in relentless fashion. With the lead extended out to 84 points at the final change, Warrnambool continued to surge ahead in the final term and the final margin of 121 points at full time explains why the Blues are unbeaten at this stage of the year. The Tigers were best served by Luke Hodge, Brett Uebergang, Lochie Huppattz, Pat Haylock, Hugh Atchinson and Conor Peters.
Final Scores
Portland 0.2=2
Warrnambool 19-9=123
Reserves - Again it was the Blues who made the early running, taking the game away from the Tigers, tackling strongly and pushing forward in numbers the hosts made full use the breeze and had a 23 point lead at the first change. It was Portland's turn to be doing all the attacking in the early stages of the 2nd term and they were able to reduce the margin considerably. The Blues launched a few effective counter attacks that produced major scores towards the end of the quarter, this being sufficient to hold onto a 17 point lead at the long break. The Tigers continued to work hard in the 3rd quarter but a series of minor scores hampered their progress. It was developing into a entertaining game with each team having their moments of ascendancy. Time and again the Tigers inched closer only to see the Blues to respond and maintain their buffer. Consequently the lead was still 16 points in Warrnambools favour at the last crossover. A couple of Portland goals and there was only 3 points the difference. The contest ebbed and flowed until another goal from the Tigers saw them hit the lead for the first time. Another quickly followed and Portland had a run on, and it was some sort of run on with a string of unawnsered goals that swept them to a handsome win of 34 points. Plenty of good players with Matt Huppatz (7 goals), Josh Chapman, Michael Matthews, Marcus Amor, Jayden Clark and Jake Hawker being the pick.
Final Scores
Portland 15.6=96
Warrnambool 9.8=62
Seniors - The Tigers came out with guns blazing and had a couple of goals in fairly snappy fashion, but then the ladder leaders settled in a rhythm that stretched Portland. A couple of costly interceptions and the Blues grabbed the lead with some fairly deft ball movement. The first break saw the Blues up by a couple of goals but looking very threatening. And so it eventuated with the home side upping the intensity and leaving the Tigers floundering. Goals came at regular intervals with the Blues enjoying the sundrenched Reid Oval. The long break saw them 37 points to the good and with the Tigers with a little bit of self reflection to perform. If any self reflection did occur, it didn't help the cause as the Blues remained in overdrive and virtually treated the game as a training drill. It was not a pretty sight but there was some semblance of a fight back late in the 3rd quarter which enabled the Tigers to muster some respectability on the scoreboard. The last quarter was a learning curve with Portland not into total submission but at the same time seeing Warrnambool exercise their precise skills and showing why they sit atop the ladder. The best players as selected were Jake Dignan, Daniel Falcone, Jake Edwards, Marcus England, Matt Kelly and Rhys Egan.
Final Scores
Portland 10.5=65
Warrnambool 17.16=18
Last Modified on 10/08/2014 17:29