Port Melbourne have moved into the top eight after a stirring win over arch rival Williamstown in round fourteen action of the VFL at a chilly Fortburn Stadium in Port Melbourne. The margin was just one point in favour of the Borough at the final change however the home side rallied in the last quarter booting the final five goals of the match to win - 13.12.90 to 8.9.57.
Mack Rivett was superb for the Borough and was awarded the Frank Johnson Tribute Medal while Mitch Woofindin picked up countless possessions and Lucas Cook and Dylan Van Unen kept the Seagulls forwards in check. Skipper Jordan Lisle was the only multiple goal kicker on the ground with two.
Williamstown were again well served by Michael Gibbons who worked tirelessly around the packs, Brett Bewley and Jack Charleston who provided plenty of run while Joel Tippett worked hard down back. Seagull's captain Adam Marcon won the toss and duly pointed towards the Williamstown road end which was favoured by a three to four goal breeze. They quickly had the first goal on the board thanks to ball magnet Gibbons.
However the Borough were hard at the contest and found entries into attack to score despite kicking into the wind. Port Melbourne held Williamstown goalless in the second quarter thanks to the likes of Cook and Ryan Pendlebury while Lisle booted two for the term as the Borough took a 21-point lead into the sheds at half-time.
The Seagulls fought back hard in the third quarter as dark clouds loomed over the ground and conditions became cooler. Goals to Nick Ebinger, Lachlan George and debutant Tyson Young had Williamstown within reach, only an important Wooffindin goal against the wind broke the Seagulls momentum. When Marcon snapped truly from the time-clock pocket thirty minutes in, the margin was back to just two points.
With the scoring end in the last quarter the home side put the foot down and before long they had re-established their lead and subsequently breathing space between the teams. It was a must win for the Borough as they face tough matches in the run home to the finals including another duel with Williamstown.
Their triumph ended a three game winning streak for Williamstown who are now level on points with the Borough as both sit seventh and eighth respectively on the ladder. They are in a cluster of six teams from fourth to ninth and all on 28 points so any losses from here on in could be critical.
Port Melbourne travel to Box Hill in round fifteen to face the Hawks who are back on the winners list after defeating Footscray while Williamstown will head to Ikon Park to take on the Northern Blues.
