Borough unable to defeat the Pies but live to fight another week
By Andrew Papanikolou on July 10, 2023
Win or go home. That’s the equation that Port Melbourne now face following a 26-point loss to Collingwood in the VFLW Qualifying Final on Sunday. The Pies led the whole day, saluting at home; 7.6.48 to 3.4.22.
It means that Port Melbourne will now have to defeat Carlton at home next week to keep their season alive.
Emily Harley was the leading disposal-getter for the Borough with 15, while Beth Wilson had 31 hitouts, and a goal.
Kaitlyn O’Keefe was solid once more, ending the day with seven tackles and six clearances. Eliza Morrison returned to the side and contributed a handy 11 disposals and four clearances, with fellow returnee Issy Hartog finishing with 13 touches and five tackles.
The Pies were in control right from the first bounce with the Borough not quite up to the heat of finals footy. Charlotte Van Der Vlies and Georgia Ricardo kicked early goals, whilst Port remained scoreless for the quarter.
This trend continued in the second term, as the Pies kicked further away through Bates, De Matteo, and Sargent, before Beth Wilson conjured up a miracle to give the Borough a little bit of hope.
As has been the case in Wilson’s new role in the ruck, the Number 16 roved her own tap before dribbling towards goal. It looked like a regulation stop for the Pies before a late turn bounced the ball right through the Collingwood defender’s legs and through for a goal.
Port entered halftime 28 points in arrears.
The Borough came out firing in the third quarter, with Fede Frew reducing the margin within the first minute. In a total contrast to the first half, Port were winning the clearances and locking the ball in their forward-50 through immense pressure. Alice Campbell kicked a miraculous goal from the boundary as Port looked every chance of running down the 5-goal Collingwood lead.
Fede Frew was heartbreakingly denied a second by the post, as Port kept the Pies scoreless to enter three quarter time 13-points down.
Unfortunately for the Borough, that would be the closest they would come to the Pies as De Matteo and Dojiok piled on the pain. The Minor Premiers put the foot down and ran out the final quarter to send Port Melbourne to a sudden-death showdown.
Port Melbourne will now take on Carlton in a must-win Semi Final. The winner of that contest will continue on to the Preliminary Final in a fortnight’s time. The Borough will face the Blues this Sunday at 12pm, at our home of ETU Stadium.
Collingwood 7.6 48 def 3.4 22 Port Melbourne
Goals: F Frew, B Wilson, A Campbell
Disposals: E Harley 15, K O’Keefe 14, L Caruso 14
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