Borough break a TV hoodoo

by AJ BRADY

IN the second weekend of round five action in the Victorian Football League (VFL) the 3SER 97.7FM Casey Radio team saw Port Melbourne coast to a 58-point win over Frankston at TEAC Oval, Port Melbourne, on Saturday.

Heading into the game, the Borough were looking to win their first televised VFA/VFL game against Frankston since 1981, a remarkable statistic considering the Borough's proud record.

Whilst conditions were cool and overcast, there was no rain about and the temperature was around 16 degrees. Considering this was the only VFL game on for the day, a very poor crowd, numbering little more than a 1000, were in attendance to watch two of the VFL's stand-alone clubs.

Coming into the game, both teams were looking to cement a position in the lower reaches of the top eight, as both had a 2-2 win-loss record.

Port Melbourne had shown better recent form, accounting for the highly-rated Coburg in their previous game, a fortnight before, at TEAC Oval. Frankston, on the other hand, had endued a somewhat surprised 17-point home loss to Collingwood in Round Four, and were desperate to keep in touch with the top eight with a win over the Borough.

Port Melbourne captain Luke Cotchett won the coin toss, and elected to kick to the Williamstown Road end, which was favored by a slight breeze, worth no more than two goals.

The first quarter became a very defensively-minded affair, with both teams attacking more towards the flanks and wings, rather than direct through the centre corridor.

Port Melbourne's David Pitt was having a big impact, beginning on the half-back flank, and switching between half-forward and half-back, gaining seven disposals and four marks for the quarter.

The Borough were also being well-served by star little-man David Robbins (eight disposals) and Toby Pinwill (eight disposals), who was providing a lot of run off half-back for Port.

Matthew Smith up forward was presenting well, and gathered 11 possessions for the quarter, but couldn't put too much of a score on the board, such was the difficulty of many of the shots on goal the Borough had.

For the Dolphins, young ruckman Peder Whelan was winning first usage for them, and little man Justin Berry (11 disposals) was doing well in the centre and backline, while vice-captain Neil Winterton was doing his best to repel the Borough attacks by collecting seven disposals and having three rebound-50s for the quarter, and midfielder Paul Kennedy was also productive, particularly at the stoppages, gathering six disposals and three clearances for the term.

The Dolphins inaccuracy in front of goal, largely due to the difficulty in most of their set-shots, saw them not able to register a goal for the quarter.

The Borough weren't able to capitalise on this too much, as they avoided going long and direct as well, and thus only led by 10 points at the first change.

During the break, Borough coach Brett Lovett urged his troops to try and stick with the central corridor, as set-shots in the pockets and on difficult angles were really hurting his team.

He also asked for more run through the midfield.

Both teams suffered bad injuries in the first term. Port Melbourne defender Kurt McGlynn suffered a knee injury. He will have scans during the week to determine how long he will miss. Frankston ruckman Ashley Eames also went off with a foot injury and could be on the sidelines for up to eight weeks.

The second quarter was a much more open affair, with both teams employing a more direct, long-kicking game style.

During the term, Port forwards Pitt (four marks for the quarter) and Rees Thomas (eight disposals, four marks) began having a genuine influence across half-forward, as the Port midfield brigade of Robbins (eight disposals), Stephen Brewer (nine disposals) and Pinwill (eight) continually went long to these targets.

The Dolphins remained in the hunt, thanks to continued hard work from small man Berry's (nine disposals) strong in-and-under work at the stoppages, whilst the run from defence of captain Shaun Pollard (six disposals) and Toby Conroy (eight disposals) saw the Dolphins remain in touch at half-time, with both teams booting four goals for the quarter, and the Borough going in at the main change 11 points ahead.

At the half-time break, the Casey Radio 97.7FM 3SER team chatted to Port Melbourne player Tom Sheldon, the nephew of VFL/AFL identity, Ken Sheldon.

Tom spoke of his upbringing in country Victoria, and how he'd come to Melbourne for university studies, and how Port Melbourne had contacted him about joining their list.

Sheldon said he would love to be rookie-listed by an AFL club but his immediate plans are only to help the Borough win as many games as possible, as well as trying to break into the Borough senior team.

With high expectations of an enthralling second half, both teams, with one man down, re-entered the arena, with the small but vocal Borough fans urging their team on loudly.

With the third quarter generally known as "the premiership quarter", the Borough began it full of running.

Defenders such as Cotchett, John Baird and Sam Pleming broke the lines at will, as Pinwill (nine disposals) and Brewer (eight disposals) began taking control in the centre square.

Smith (eight disposals, four marks) continued to have an impact across half-forward, whilst big-man Adrian Bonaddio began taking some telling contested marks deep in the forward line, albeit missing some reasonably easy shots on goal.

For the Dolphins, it was no surprise that defender Winterton was one of their major possession winners for the term with eight, largely because the ball was down that end of the ground more often than not.

Kennedy (seven disposals) and Rebeschini (eight) also worked hard at the stoppages, but the tidal wave of possession was often heading Port Melbourne's way.

For the term, the Borough put on 4.5, keeping the Dolphins to just a goal, and in a fairly low scoring game, the Borough's three-quarter time lead of 27 points seemed enough.

At the final change, Borough coach Gary Ayres was still as boisterous as ever, urging his players to go in for the kill, and despite being against the breeze, to try and extend their lead and drive Frankston's resistance into the ground.

While Ayres did single out some individuals for criticism, overall he was fairly happy with his team's efforts, and just urged his players to continue being accountable and using the central corridor with position, particularly as the Borough would be kicking into the wind in the final term.

Despite kicking into the still-fairly strong breeze in the final term, the Borough's superior strength, fitness and experience shone out, as the Dolphins struggled to penetrate their forward 50.

David Pitt was again sensational across the half-forward flank, picking up eight disposals and five marks to complete a stellar performance, ably assisted in the final term by Robbins once again (nine disposals), Brewer (seven disposals) and Baird (eight disposals), running off half-back and through the midfield.

Bonaddio continued to show a presence deep in the forward line, whilst also being on the receiving end of some controversial free kicks, but once again he struggled to convert many times in front of the big sticks, being a large contributor of the Borough's inaccurate 5.8 for the final term.

The Dolphins went down without too much of a fight in the final term. This was best exemplified by the fact that their leading ball-winners for the term were defenders Byron Barry (six disposals) and Clinton Proctor (eight disposals).

In the end, the Borough's final winning margin of 58 points was probably a little under what it should have been, considering Port were wasteful in front of goal, winning in the end 15.19.109 to Frankston's 7.9.51.

Another concern for Frankston emanating from the game was captain Pollard's report late in the game for charging, although he was later cleared by the VFL Tribunal.

Better players for the victorious Borough included: Best-on-ground Pinwill, who finished with 30 disposals for the match, including three rebound-50s and three centre clearances, providing much run backwards-of-centre and launching many meaningful Borough attacks; Pitt, who I believe played his best VFL game ever, working hard at both ends of the ground, providing a strong marking option and finishing with 14 marks (six contested) and 26 disposals in a return to career-best form; Pleming, who was steadfast in defence, finishing with 22 disposals and seven marks, whilst also doing an excellent shutting-down job on dangeous Frankston forward Dean Limbach; Thomas, whose used his size and strength well across half-forward, gathering 21 disposals, taking 13 marks and finishing with four goals in a sensational effort that helps add bite to the Borough forward line; Bonaddio, who continually presented well at full-forward, relishing in his permanent move there this season after the Borough picked up former AFL ruckman Dylan McLaren in the off-season to take over the back-up rucking duties, inaccuracy in front of goal was the only thing that cost Bonaddio from kicking a huge bag, as he finished with 4.4 for the day, along with taking five contested marks and gathering 15 possessions; Robbins, who again wasn't feted by many, but just went about his work industriously, continually gathering up inside contested possessions, finishing with 30 disposals in an even four-quarter performance, including 13 hard-ball gets; and, former Bomber and Blue Cory McGrath, who provided a lot of run out of defence, finishing with 18 disposals and seven marks, as he used his adept foot-passing to hit 85% of his targets.

Better players for the Dolphins included 19-year-old rookie ruckman Whelan, who stood up mightily in the absence of the injured Eames, taking over first-ruck duties, giving away a lot of weight to experienced Port duo McLaren and David Fanning, but still winning the hit-outs well, gathering 23 hit-outs for the day, compared to Fanning's 19, as well as showing excellent skill and agility around the ground, finishing with two good goals; experienced defender Byron Barry, who took seven marks, five of which were contested, and gathered 18 disposals for the day, launching five rebound-50s in a resolute effort deep in the Borough forward line, Barry worked hard, especially against much bigger opponents such as Bonaddio and Thomas, and whilst beaten, still put in a solid defensive effort; little man Berry, who was thrust into the midfield, and sometimes a kick behind play during this game, as opposed to his usual role of forward crumber, Berry stood up well, gather 30 disposals for the day, including 20 in a sensational first half, he gathered 14 contested possessions in total, and six clearances in an excellent effort by the short peroxide blonde; Rebeschini, who also worked hard at the stoppages, winning 22 disposals and providing six forward-50 entries in a strong performance by the midfielder, he also led from the front with many sacrificial acts and showed his worth to the team by gathering seven hard-ball gets and five clearances; and, big forward Aaron Murray, who showed great potential, using his height and bulk well across half-forward, finishing with seven marks, five of which were contested, and two excellent goals, in a pointer to a bright future for the Frankston tall.

Interviewed after the game by Casey Radio's Phil Pearce, Borough assistant coach Troy West spoke of the great team chemistry at Port Melbourne in season 2008, and how the club enjoys great advantages over AFL-aligned clubs in that they get the full squad together training a number of times a week.

He also spoke of the injection of knowledge and attacking game plan that new coach Ayres had brought with him, and how new recruits such as McGrath and McLaren had fitted in seamlessly to the Port structure.

Next weekend's action for these two teams sees Port Melbourne travel to the outer-western suburbs of Melbourne, to Werribee's Bartercard Oval, to face the Tigers in what should be an excellent match-up, with both Port and the 'Bees in good form of late.

For the Dolphins, they'll be attempting to regroup by making the long trek to Bendigo, to face the Bombers at Queen Elizabeth Oval next Saturday night. Both teams have struggled somewhat this season, and will both be hoping for a win to kick-start their 2008 campaign.

In the only other game for this split Round Five in the VFL, on Sunday at MC Labour Park in Carlton, reigning premier Geelong continued their solid form of late, easily accounting for VFL new boys Collingwood by 56 points.

Despite the flattering final score, this was a very close match for three quarters, and the Cats only led by 10 points at the final change.

Brent Prismall and Kane Tenace were the best performers for the Cats, whilst young Collingwood-listed players John Anthony and Sharrod Wellingham for best for the 'Pies.

At the completion of round five, the VFL ladder sees North Ballarat remain on top with 16 points, above Williamstown (16 points) by just two percent, then comes Sandringham (12 points), Casey Scorpions (12), Port Melbourne (12), Geelong (12), Northern Bullants (12) and Tasmania (12) rounds out the top eight.

A game outside of the top eight is Coburg on eight points, then comes Frankston (eight), Werribee (eight), Collingwood (eight), Bendigo (four), and Box Hill remain on the bottom without a win in 2008.

Next weekend sees the 3SER Casey Radio 97.7FM team travel to the wild, wild west of Bartercard Oval to see the aforementioned clash between Werribee and Port Melbourne, with the coverage beginning at 1.30pm on Saturday.

Then on Sunday, the team head just down the road from the Casey Radio studios, to Casey Fields, to see the Casey Scorpions tackle the Northern Bullants in a top-eight clash with big stakes.

Join the team of Kain Pollard, Chris Weaver, Tristan Foenander, Simon Petch, Phil Cleary, Tyson Lane, Peter Banfield, Phil Pearce, Rebecca Beed and myself in the stats chair on 97.7FM radio in Melbourne, or via the web on www.3ser.org.au anywhere else on the planet (click on the "Listen Live" link) and we'll ensure you get your VFL fix.

11 April 2008

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