Port Melbourne take the chocolates on Good Friday

By Gabby Woods on April 11, 2023

Port Melbourne stole the win from Williamstown in the Good Friday match, in a game that went down to the final 2 minutes. The Borough defeated the Seagulls 3.8 26 to 3.2 20 at DSV Stadium. 

Lauren Caruso had a dominant day out, leading Port’s disposal count with 17 touches and an amazing 16 tackles for the day, whilst Steph Williams was solid with 10 disposals, 5 tackles and a goal, adding to their forward pressure. Stella Reid also impacted the game with 11 touches and 14 tackles, proving her dominance throughout the day.

Port showed their determination in the ruck with Beth Wilson leading the hit-out count with 25 for the day whilst Kate Dudley racked up 19. The aerial performance from both Wilson and Dudley allowed for Port Melbourne to win the clearance count 32 to Williamstown’s 24.

The Borough came out fast in the first term, applying the pressure to Williamstown. Amelia Peck scored the first goal of the game with a mark in front of goal off the boot of Laura Wright and executing it perfectly in just under 3 minutes. This put Williamstown behind early, although they came back firing scoring the next two majors of the game through Teagan Brett and Eliza Stratford, putting Port behind by 7 at quarter time. 

The second quarter saw Port take the lead thanks to an on the run goal from Chanelle Slater, putting the Borough up by one point. Port managed to keep Williamstown scoreless for the duration of the 2nd term and Lauren Caruso’s determination allowed her to gain 10 tackles by half time. Port lead at the main break 2.4 16 to Williamstown’s 2.1 13. 

The start of the second half was extremely physical with the tackle pressure being through the roof. Olivia Barton played a crucial part in Port’s defensive line-up, with goal saving marks that allowed the Borough to gain momentum. It was a hard fought third quarter with both teams remaining goalless and Port Scoring 2 behinds to Williamstown’s 1. Isobel Hartog had an influential third term getting in and under and taking the game on, allowing for Port to utilise their runners.

The last term was pushed right down to the wire, Williamstown scored the first goal of the last term putting them up by just 2 points. The Borough then scored the next 2 behinds, leveling up the game with just 2 and a half minutes left of play. The forward pressure put on by Port was intensifying as they were able to force turnovers in crucial parts of play. The saviour of the day was Steph Williams when she perfectly executed a set shot 40 metres out directly in front that put the Borough up by a goal with just over a minute left of play.

Port had a dominant day pressure wise, laying 117 tackles to Williamstown’s 86. When the siren sounded at DSV Stadium it was the Borough who came out on top 3.8-26 to Williamstown 3.2-20. 

Port Melbourne’s round 4 clash against the Western Bulldogs will take place on the 15th of April at ETU Stadium with the first bounce being at 10:30am, both teams are coming off a win so it sure will be a fierce contest. The VFL team will then kick off the double header at 2:05pm against the Northern Bullants

Williamstown 3.2 20 def by 3.8 26 Port Melbourne

Goals: A. Peck 2, C. Slater, S. Williams

Disposals: L. Caruso 17, I. Hartog 15, K. O’Keefe 14