Under 18.5's : In a must win game for the Tigers, the effort exerted by the home side was evident from the outset. Despite kicking against a gentle breeze, Portland broke even in possession in the first term and always looked threatening. Sam Davis was instrumental in setting up many positive moves up forward and was proving to be a headache for the opposition. It was tied up at the first break but the Tigerss really flexed their muscle in the 2nd quarter when they monopolised the ball and were constantly in attack. In spite of a touch of inaccuracy, the hosts galloped away with a string of unanswered goals and were in command at half time by an impressive 34 points, having held the Blues scoreless for the quarter.
It was a battle of defences in the 3rd term with neither side able to supply the final cutting edge that is needed to score goals. Still, it was absorbing football and the skill level made the game attractive to watch. Naturally the lack of scoring suited the side in front which pleased the home supporters. It took some time before the Tigers found their goal scoring momentum in the final quarter but when they did, they again went on a mini goal spree that took the game well out of the opposition's reach. During this period, the Tiger defensive skills were such that they prevented Warrnambool from registering any major scores. In fact they went goalless after quarter time, a sound testament to Portland's defensive superiority. The win keeps Portland's finals aspirations alive with the possibility that a final determination could well be made in the final game of the season. Good Portland players were Leighton Marshall who gets better with each game, Scott Denboer, Nathan Valori, Sam Davis, Liam Robinson and Callum Schultz.
Final scores: Portland 10-7=67
Warrnambool 1-3=9
Reserves : The lowly position of the Tigers meant it was going to be a struggle against the Blues weeded to win to maintain their push for a finals position. And so it proved in the 1st term with the Blues using the breeze to advantage and setting up a comfortable lead by the 1st change. Portland had trouble getting the ball into scoring positions whereas Warrnambool alaways looked like scoring when the went forward. Portland attacked the ball with gusto in the 2nd term and hacked into the deficit. Aided by the strengthening wind, the Tigers moved the ball around the ground and at times reduced the opposition to spectators. But it didn't last and at half time, the Blues had a 20 point margin. Portland couldn't get on the score sheet in the 3rd time but Warrnamboll also had trouble getting into a scoring mode. They were able to stretch their lead but it was a fairly ordinary spectacle. The last term saw the Tigers again get into attack mode but they had trouble registering major scores. But their persistence was to be admired with coach Jaron Quinlivan leading by example. They did reduce the arrears but in the end the Blues had built up too big of a lead and they prevailed by 12 points Portland had plenty of willing goers with the best of them being Kye Taylor, Jake Patterson, Eamon Crossley, Michael Parker, Daniel Kinghorn and Tom Haylock.
Fianl scores: Portland 7-4=46
Warrnambool 8-10=58
Seniors : As was to be expected with the ladder situated as it is, it was a very spirited opening to this encounter. With Warrnambool having first use of the wind, they attacked strongly but Portland's defence was up to the task and although they leaked an early goal, they were able to keep things reasonably tight. A bonus occurred when Bryce Finnegan was on the receiving end of some promising build-up play and slotted a fine goal into the teeth of the wind. At this early stage, no side had gained the upper hand the umpires were letting the game flow and both sides relished the conditions. Neither side was able to claim outright supremacy for the quarter and although the Blues were in front scorewise, there was a lot to like about the Tiger involvement in the game. It was the visitors by 9 points at the 1st break. Portland made full use of the breeze as they continually attacked from the right areas of the ground. With backline holding tight and becomint the initial source of attack, Portland quickly made up the deficit and set about creating a lead that gradually expanded as the quarter wore on. The key forwards in Jay Moody, Bryce Finnegan and Levi Konitzka all provided something to aim at and the crumbers performed their role at ground level. The 4 goal lead at half time was impressive but the Blues had a lot to lose at this stage and it was not going to be easy to withstand thier challenge.
This proved to be the case with the Blues surging into attack relentlessly with wind howling at their back. Portland initially played clever football into the wind, chipping the ball around and trying to find targets but the sheer power of Warrnambool's footy told the story. Whilst the Tigers didn't register a shot on goal, Warrnambool had 11 and if it wasn't for a lot of off radar direction for goal, the lead would have been significantly more than the 12 points it was. It was up to Portland to find the answers in the final term. Their task was made even more difficult when an early goal to the Blues against the wind lengthened their lead and gave them a massive confidence boost. In windy conditions, a lot of effective football comes from using the part of the body that sits on one's shoulders and Warrnambool played smart football when it mattered. They bottled the ball up on the "dead" flank and used slick chip and run footy when required. The Tigers fell into the trap of not playing the ball to the attacking side of the ground and consequently major scores were a lot harder to come by than in the 2nd term. Nonetheless, the home side edged closer and with plenty of time to go, they got within a goal. But, again the Blues using their experience, held firm and they withstood all of Portland's forays into the scoring area to get home by a meagre 4 points. In an even Portland team, the better players were judged to be Ben Malcolm who overcame strong opposition to feature prominently, Cam Mather who was very effective working in the back half, as did Josh Andrews, Zach Telfer, Brett Uebergang and Keegan Gray.
Final scores: Portland 10-7=67
Warrnambool 10=11=71
Last Modified on 15/08/2016 07:08