Port Melbourne staged a thrilling come-from-behind 12-point win at TEAC Oval against the visiting Geelong Cats.
In an evenly contested 1st quarter, Geelong AFL player, Tom Lonergan (30 disposals) started unexpectedly in Geelong's back line while James Podsiadly was their key forward. Port Melbourne lead by 1-point, 23-22 with both teams scoring 3 goals apiece.
The next quarter began with a strongly contested mark by Wayne Schultz at half-forward in the opening minute and converted the opportunity scoring a goal. Soon after, Josh Scipone snapped and along with a lucky bounce scored truly to give Port a 12-point buffer. For the Cats, Ben Johnson then slammed home a goal from 55 metres out. Despite an evenly matched half of football, Port captain, John Baird provided his trademark defence to give Port a 3-point lead going into half time. Geelong captain James 'Pods' Podsiadly continued to be the focal point of Geelong offensive push but missed a number of key opportunities during the quarter and put the game out of reach from Port Melbourne, finishing with 2.4 for the half.
After strong performances in the Port Melbourne reserves, Matthew Wall made his debut and matched up against the Geelong forwards with support from Jarrod Palton, Kris Clarkson and Sam Pleming.
In the second half, a majority of the Geelong goals in the 3rd quarter were scored from Port clangers and turnovers, together with a number of controversial umpiring decisions that lit up the Borough crowd.
Despite the 5 goals piled on by Geelong, Port scored the final goal of the term with a gem by Phil Raymond after the siren, but Geelong had a handy 21-point lead.
The final quarter was an exciting contest for all who watched the game as Port lifted its defensive and physical presence across the ground as Port kicked 6.4 to Geelong's 1.1. A key clearance at the 18-minute mark lead to a Port goal. This cut back Geelong's lead to 1-point. A free kick against Toby Pinwall just outside Port's goals seemed costly, but within a few moments Sam Dwyer took a brilliant mark and goaled from 25 metres out to give Port a 5-point lead. Wayne Schultz snapped and goaled put the game out of Geelong's reach at the 26-minute mark to consolidate a 12-point Port lead.
John Baird received a dose of leather poisoning with a cool 39 disposals, while Phil Raymond piled on 4 goals with Stephen Dwyer, Dylan McLaren and Wayne Schultz chipping in with 2 goals each. For Geelong, Podsiadly finished with 5.6 supported with 2 goals each to Ben Johnson and Scott Beattie.
After the game, many of Port's players agreed that the crowd played a major role in the team's final quarter heroic victory, turning a 21-point deficit into a 12-point win. PMFC assistant coach Simon Goosey saw the 'sense of urgency' in the way the team played, especially in the final quarter, noting the key clearances and an improvement in ball control. Ryan 'Shooter' McMahon, veteran of over 150 games, summed up the team's victory as a 'season-defining game'.
Port Melbourne
|
3.5 |
6.7 |
8.11 |
14.15 |
(99) |
Geelong Cats |
3.4 |
5.10 |
11.14 |
12.15 |
(87) |
Goals:
Port Melbourne: P. Raymond 4, S. Dwyer 2, D. McLaren 2, W. Schultz 2, D. Robbins, J. Scipione, A. Deluca, P. Hassett
Geelong: J. Podsiadly 5, B. Johnson 2, S. Beattie 2, R. Gamble, T. West, S. Simpson
Best:
Port Melbourne: P. Raymond, J. Baird, S. Brewer, R. McMahon, C. McGrath
Geelong: J. Podsiadly, S. Simpson, T. Lonergan, J. Simpkin, K. Tenace
Last Modified on 08/05/2009 11:29