Port Melbourne are on the board in their 2022 VFLW campaign following a 20 point win in a slippery contest at IKON Park on Sunday.

Meg Macdonald led all comers with 25 disposals, while Kaitlyn O’Keefe amassed a game-high 11 tackles. Port Melbourne’s pressure was outstanding, outnumbering the Blues at every contest. Akayla Peterson tormented her former club with 15 disposals and 7 tackles of her own. 

In what was a welcome sight, Co-Captain Claire Dyett returned from injury and made the far wing her own with 14 disposals, while Courteney Bromage put her head over the ball all day to end the game with 12 disposals and 4 tackles.

Stella Reid and Emily Harley kicked one goal apiece in the first quarter, lifting the Borough to an eight point quarter time lead. 

Port Melbourne looked to kick away in the second quarter thanks to an opportunistic Bella Stutt goal from the goal square, however, errant goalkicking kept the Blues in the game, despite Carlton’s goalless quarter.

The tide turned after half time with it now being Port Melbourne’s turn to endure a goalless quarter. An early last quarter goal from Jessica Stramandinoli cut the deficit to 5 points and raised the tension in the Borough camp. However, this was as close as the Blues got with Lisa Davie and Olivia Barton stemming the bleeding with multiple intercept marks. 

Port Melbourne restarted their celebrations up the other end with a smart dribble goal from Beth Wilson widening the margin to 11 points once more. Wilson then turned provider, setting up Sophie Locke, who calmly slotted the goal from a tight angle, all but securing the 4 points. 

The Borough will look to consolidate their win when they play Collingwood in Round 5. 

Port Melb 5.13.43 def Carlton 3.5.23

– Andrew Papanikolaou

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