Under 18.5"s : Soggy conditions prevailed at Hanlon Park and they certainly didn't inspire the Tigers with any great feeling. Facing a team that hadn't been in the winners' circle fro the entire season, Portland failed to generate any scoring momentum. Despite having the majority of possession, the hosts played from behind, overdid the handball and genrally were lagging in crunch situations. The visitors took a 3 point lead into the first change and were well worth it. It was more of the same in the 2nd term but on this occasion Ter-Mortlake had more of the possession but they couldn't make an impact on the scoreboard. As the quarter progressed, the Tigers got into a better rhythm but they still couldn't register in the goals column. The situation at half time made for rather depressing reading with Portland still in arrears by a couple of points.
The story got worse for the Tigers as the combine booted acouple of quick goals that certainly put the Tigers on the back foot in the slippery conditions. Ter-Mortlake dominated the term, so much so that the home did not register a single scoring shot. Not the best effort from Portland and plenty of work needed to be done to get on top in this contest. The Bloods had it by 15 points at the last change. The wind whicha had been blowing basically across the ground at some rate of knots was now favouring the end to which the Tigers were heading. But the resolute visitors didn't let this daunt them and they defended stoutly when required as well as slotting a valuable goal after a couple of errors from the Tiger defence. The Tigers did rally but their tendency to bomb their disposals meant that the forwards didn't receive good service and theshooting for goal was also not of the best. It wa san opportunity lost for Portland as Ter-Mortlake held on for a deserved triumph and at the time rendering Tiger hopes of a finals appearance needing a lifeline. Good Portland players were a little scarce but those deserving of mention were Scott Denboer, Kyle Anson, Nathan Valori, Conor Peters, Whil Doodt and Jarod Donovan.
Final scores: Portland 2-10 =22
Ter-Mortlake 4-6=30
Reserves : In a game dictated by the paucity of available players, the Tigers took the game right up to the high-flying Ter-Mortlake. The atrocious conditions that prevailed in the previous match had monentarily lifted and the close of the contest as well as the reasobale skill level made the game watchable. The difference was only 5 points and the Tigers were looking very competitive. The trend continued in the 2nd half with Portland playing with plenty of spirit and using the open spaces to manufacure ample scoring chances. But Ter-Mortlake also relished the situation and eased out to an 8 point margin at the long break.
The Tigers had the wind in the 3rd term and used it to full advantage to stick on the coat tails of the opposition. Though it was obvious that Ter-Mortlake had a clear edge in the skill department, the Tigers were not going to meekly submit. They chased, tackled, smothered when they didn't have possession and found time to set up some positive passages of play themselves. The Bloods were in front by 11 points at the final change. Unfortunately, it was all one way traffic in the last term with the visitors having the heavy wind at their backs and again, Portland's fitness was again found wanting. Not surprising really when the aging warriors and several players who had doubled up from the first encounter of the day were starting to feel the pinch. The visitors stormed home to win by 51 points with the better Portland players being Kye Taylor, Daniel Kinghorn, Harry McIntyre, Callum Greenham, Jake Jones and Dan Oliver
Final score: Portland 4-2=26
Ter-Mortlake 11-11=77
Seniors : Portland had first use of the breeze and quickly put a couple of majors on the board. They were looking okay, with the ball moving fluently around the park aided by some crisp skills. The Bloods however were not to be denied and they launched a series of attacks for themselves and slotted a couple of priceless goals against the flow. Portland had all the play but towards the quarter's end, their scoring seemed to have dried up, resulting in alead of 3 goals. It was problematic as to whether this was adequate. As could be expected, the Bloods made all the running on resumption and they hacked into the deficit significantly. For the large part, the Tiger defence stood firm with Cam Mather being outstanding in this period. When the Tigers went forward, they did so in a rather haphazard fashion with the disposal performed more with hope than any conviction. Consequently, the forwards task was made that much more difficult although one spectacular mark by Jay Moody set the crowd alight. Despite the fact that the Bloods drew level deep into time on, the Tigers got a valuable major right on the half time siren. It could be said that it was well needed. It was the Tigers by the solitary goal at the long break.
Portland's turn with the wind wasn't as profitable as perhaps it should have been. Even with this advantage, the Tigers entry into the forward 50 was still not very scientific. Too often the ball was banged in without any real thought. The Tigers were being consistently outmarked in all areas of the park. So obviously the game pattern has to be to neutralise this deficiency and perhaps one way to do this is to move the ball rapidly and positively thus giving team-mates the chance to run onto it. The Tigers did grind out three goals plus a few wayward points but the lead of 15 points was a very slender hold on the game at the last change. A couple of meteorological things happened in the final term that dropped fortuitously into Portland's lap. One was that the wind dropped significantly and the other was that a shower of rain protected the team holding the lead ie Portland. The other notable event that occurred was that the Tigers dug deep and hunted in numbers to protect the ball carrier who in turn was able to use the ball effectively. Consequently, the forwards, getting better service, became more lively and always looked threatening when the ball moved toward the scoring zone. It was a stirring finish and the Tigers finished full of running to get over the line by 21 points. Good Portland players were Jesse Murray( 4 goals ),Ben Malcolm, Rhys Egan, Cam Mather, Daniel Falccone and Brett Uebergang.
Final scores: Portland 12-10=82
Ter-Mortlake 9-7=61
Last Modified on 24/07/2016 08:17