VFL: Collingwood prevail in the wet.

Collingwood have prevailed at a soggy North Port Oval to hold off Port Melbourne by two points in a thrilling end to their round nineteen VFL clash. The Pies held sway in the first half but when the heavens opened up midway through the third quarter the game took on a different look as the Borough hit the front during the term.

Collingwood were able to regain the lead by the final change but a goal to Port Melbourne’s Dylan Conway approaching the seven minute mark of the final quarter reduced the deficit to just five points before time ran out for the home side with the Magpies winning 10.10.70 to 9.14.68. The win shores up a top eight place for the Pies and keeps their top four hopes alive.

Andrew Galluci booted a game-high four goals for the winners while Blake Pearson and Jordan Lisle each booted two for Port Melbourne. Collingwood’s only concern out of the match was Ben Reid who left the field in the third term with a calf injury and didn’t reappear.

The Magpies began well into the breeze and looked far slicker with their ball movement as Port found it difficult to stop the momentum. However a late flurry by the home side reduced the Magpies lead to just eight points by quarter-time.

(Above) Collingwood coach Jarred Rivers speaks to his charges at quarter-time:

Collingwood increased their lead in the second term with the likes of VFL 50-gamer Jaryd Blair and Gus Borthwick providing plenty of grunt around the packs. Sam McLarty was marking well around the field while Nathan Murphy was superb in defence and Alex Woodward (22 possessions) was finding the footy throughout the midfield.

Lucas Cook and Damian Mascitti were kepts busy down back for the Borough as the Pies looked to stamp their authority on the match. Just over halfway through the third quarter the weather gods got angry and threw everything possible in one hit over Stannards Stadium. Rain, hail, lightning and thunder swept across the ground and all this after a sunbaked first half!

(Above) The weather gods turned nasty midway through the third quarter at Stannards Stadium in Port Melbourne.

It didn’t dampen the spirits of the home side however, as they hit the lead thanks to a goal form skipper Jordan Lisle, it was to be short lived as crucial majors to both Borthwick then Blair saw the Pies go into the final change with a handy two goal lead.

As the rain continued players found the sherrin like a piece of soap and goals dried up. The only goal of the final term to Port Melbourne as the Pies hung on for a nail-biting win in the wet. The Pie’s best included wingman Tardrew (24 disposals) and Murphy down back, with support from Marty Hore, bigman McLarty and Borthwick while for Port Melbourne Dylan Van Unen (22 disposals), Cook and Mascitti were kept busy  in defence and Mitch Woofindin worked hard around the park, Eli Templeton the Borough’s major ball winner with a game-high 26 touches.

(Above) Collingwood players in the rooms after their win.

Collingwood return to Victoria Park to take on lowly Frankston in the penultimate round while Port Melbourne are away to arch rival Williamstown in another critical clash heading into the VFL finals. 

For full match details log onto the VFL website here