Under 18.5's : Portland took on their highly rated opponents with plenty of zest in the opening term. Kicking with the breeze at their backs, the Tigers moved the ball briskly around the ground with some clever link up play. Callum Schultz was giving plenty of drive from the midfield and with the target forwards in Brad Jasper and Josh Gray making good position, many scoring chances were created. Unfortunatel,y not all of these were accepted but the hosts did enough to take a 9 point lead into the first break. For the large majority of the second quarter, the Tigers monopolised possession but apart from a splendid mark and ensuing goal from Tom Hernan, their efforts went unrewarded. Even so, they carried a handy lead until the proverbial shadows of half time when two classy Warrnambool snaps resulted in goals for the Blues and brought them within 1 point of the lead at half time.
The physically stronger Blues upped their intensity in the 3rd term and 2 rapid-fire goals goals had them sitting in front and doing it comfortably. But Portland fought back and their resolution to force every contest enabled them to narrow the deficit to just 5 points at the last interval. Again the home side tended to be a little wasteful up forward but they were still in with a realistic chance at this stage. But it was not to be. The visitors got right on top and scooted away form their opponents. Winning the contested ball and then spreading it effectively around the park, the Blues rammed on a few goals and at the same time rendered the Tigers scoreless. An encouraging effort for 3 quarters before a disappointing fade out in the final stages. The Tigers had some very good contributors with the best of them being Keegan Gray, Kyle Howard, Will Oakley, Toby Cocks, Harry McIntyre, Luke Solly and Callum Schultz
Finall scores: Portland 4-7=31
Warrnambool 9-8=62
Reserves : The biting wind didn't deter the Tigers as they took to thier task with plenty of gusto. A couple of goals signalled their intentand they had their top of the ladder opponents on the back foot. But the Blues steadied and mounted a fightback that saw them eventually take the lead and nudge out to a 3 point lead at quarter time. From this point on, the game had a certain pattern to it. The class and strength of the Blues was pitted against the willing efforts of the Tigers. It certainly wasn't all one way traffic as occasionally Portland got within a sniff of the lead. But after a creditable effort Portland succumbed by some 36 points. Portland were best served by Tynan Drought, Jordan Cables, Josh Van Heugten, Hayden Dyke, Nathan Jennings and Hayden Telfer
Final scores: Portland 5-9=39
Warrnambool 10-15=75
Seniors ; Warrnambool had first use of the breeze and had 4 goals on the board in fairly slick fashion. They moved the ball smartly around the ground and the Tigers looked to be out of their depth against such a class opponent. But the hosts found a little bit of steel in their makeup and they began making serious inroads into the negative margin. Some creative ballwork from Daniel Falcone and Rhys Egan saw it end up with Jesse Murray who slotted the Tigers' first goal. Another soon followed and the first break saw the Tigers down by 15 points. The 2nd quarter saw the Tigers continue to beaver industriously but they had touble getting the ball into scoring positions and when they did, some errant kicking let them down. On the other hand, the Blues had the ball on a consistent basis and used it efficiently up forward. They expanded their lead to 38 points at the long break and were looking in ominous touch.
But the Tigers stuck to their guns and limited the opposition's attacks on goal. The ability of Warrnambool to get into scoring positions and then be thwarted by dogged defence was a feature of this phase of the game. The raw winter wind diddn't make for ideal watching conditions but the tenacity of the Tigers certainly made for interesting viewing. With one lap to go the Blues were in control by some 8 goals. Battle as they might, the Tigers couldn't stem the onslaught in the final term. The wintery sun didn't match the freezing wind and by this stage, the arctic conditions had forced most sensible thinking folk indoors. The visitors made the most of their chances in this part of the game and got the job done by 94 points which sounds a hefty margin but in the context of the game was not a disaster. The Tigers had plenty of honest performers with thr best of them being Lochie Huppatz, Nathan Haylock, Brett Uebergang, Dylan Murray, Rhys Egan and Jay Moody.
Final scores: Portland 3-11=29
Warrnambool 19-9=123
Last Modified on 26/07/2015 11:22