Under 18.5's : The slippery turf created the backdrop for the opening phase of the game and this caused the game to be riddled with basic errors. The combatants swapped early goals before the Tigers put their stamp on the contest. They gradually got on top of the opposition by playing in front and eliminating the mistakes from their game. Attacking repeatedly, they were rewarded with some fine forward work from Keegan Gray and Aaron Shepherd that generated goals. The Tigers were in control by 23 points at the first change. Koroit had the aid of the slight breeze in the 2nd term but it was the Tigers who dominated the early exchanges. Unfortunately they couldn't effectively and a barrage of minor scores eventuated. As the quarter progressed, it was the Saints who fained more control and they had a long period of possession. But they too had difficulty in registering majors and half time saw the host enjoying a 25 point lead.
Koroit took the game right up to the home side in the early stages of the 3rd term and made significant inroads into the deficit. But the Tigers were able to regroup and, although their delivery around the ground was not top class, they had enough of the ball to push forward and score a couple of vital goals thus maintaing their buffer of 25 points at the last change. Again it was Koroit who had the better of the exchanges in the last quarter. They were first to the ball and used it with more purpose than their opponents. They reeled off a string of goals that got them very close to the lead but Portland were able to hang despite running on empty at the end. In effect it was the first term when the Tigers got the jump on Koroit that made the difference. There were some very good players in the Portland colours with the pick of them being Josh Andrews Felix Jones, Aaron Shepherd( 4 goals ), Keegan Gray, Toby Cocks, Kyle Anson and Levi Chapman.
Final scores: Portland 8-14=62
Koroit 8-6=54
Reserves : The first quarter was a free flowing affair with both sides showing a touch of skill in the now drying conditions . The ball flowed around the park with each side having their moments of glory. The visitors had a narrow lead of 3 points at the first change. The game settled into a pattern with Koroit having the better of the possession but their errant kicking letting the Tigers back into the game. The sunshine still kept everyone making positive statements about the weather and the players seemed to think much the same as they displayed a tidy array of skills. The Saints had the lead by the so;itary point at the long break in a very competitive game.
The 3rd term was more of the same with Portland clinging on to the coat-tails of Koroit, getting to within a kick but not being able to get to the front. Hayden Dyke was prominent as he kept up a constant supply of chances to his forwards who worked hard to capitalise on the chances. Koroit eased out to an 8 point lead at the last interval and looked to be in a position to test the stamina of th local side. This proved to be the case as Portland came up a little bit short in the final stages of the game. The desire was there but the lungs couldn't expand any further to get the necessary oxygen to the muscles and the visitors were just a bit sharper in the disposal. It was an encouraging show from the Tigers and plenty of good players were present. The best of these were Jordan Bliss( 5 goals ), Zac Telfer, Damien Bell, Rowan Johnstone, Tom Haylock and Hayden Dyke
Final scores: Portland 9-1=55
Koroit 10-11=71
Seniors : The ladder suggested this game was going to be a one sided affair but in the early stages of the game there were no easy possession as both teams fought tenaciously for control of the ball. The visitors had a little bit more polish as they made more use of the their opportunities to slip out to a lead of a couple of goals by mid-quarter. But the Tigers fought back and showed they were in for the fight. The sheer determination of the players wasn't quite matched by the skill execution, leading to many forward assaults ending in minor scores or not troubling the scorer at all. In contrast, the Saints went forward with purpose and finished off efficiently. Still, the sea-siders clawed their way to numerous possessions and by weight of hard work they were onlly 1 goal in arrears at quarter time. It set the scene for an enthralling quarter in which the game ebbed and flowed. Initially, it was Koroit who asserted supremacy and they fully capitalised on their chances to get out to a 3 goal lead but the Tigers came surging back and through some brilliant forward play from the likes of Luke Crane and Sam Faure, Portland hacked into the deficit to get within a kick. But Koroit showed the style of a class outfit and despite the ferocious tackling of Portland, they were able to construct a 19 point lead at the main interval.
The Tigers got into gear early in the 3rd term and quickly had a goal on the board despite kicking against the breeze. It stung Koroit into a frenzy as they pushed the button and kicked clear. It did looke like a blow was forming but the home side steadied and held on, booting a couple of handy goals themselves. But the quarter did show why there is a gulf between the top and bottom sides. Simply this-the the Tigers worked valiantly to get the ball forward but a simple turnover through a skill error cost them dearly. The visitors weren't guilty of such lapses and they were able to take a commanding break of 35 points into the last changeover. To emphasise their superiority, Koroit took full control in the early stages of the last term, slotting goals from various angle and distances in a quality display of the modern game. Portland's effort had largely fizzled out and whilst they didn't hoist the white flag, Koroit's overall edge in class and fitness ensured that they were convincing winners by 73 points. Good players for the Tigers were Jake Edwards( got stronger as the game went on ), Brett Uebergang( another class effort from the pocket dynamo ), Lochie Huppatz( a running machine who happens to pick up plenty of the leather ), Jay Moody ( another quality performance highlighted by 4 goals ), Aaron Caldow( getting better with each game and snared a few goals as well ) and Ben Malcolm( competed strongly against some stern opposition )
Final scores: Portland 12-9=81
Koroit 23-16=154
Last Modified on 06/06/2015 21:23