VFL: Port Melbourne in top eight after win over Coburg.

Port Melbourne returned to the winners list and a spot in the top eight after a comfortable 29-point win over Coburg in round eleven of Peter Jackson VFL. On a soggy Piranha Park, the visitors led from start to finish and despite being outscored by Coburg in the last quarter, recorded a solid victory winning 16.10.106 to 11.11.77.

Former Hawk and Lion, Jordan Lisle, helped himself to a game-high four goals with the Borough having eleven individual goal kickers. Thomas O'Sullivan was in fine form around the middle with 28 disposals and he received great support from skipper, Toby Pinwill (28) and Damian Mascitti (26) while Sam Crocker (24) launched many Borough attacks from deep in defence.

The goals flowed in the first term with both sides being able to run the footy into space and create shots on goal. Coburg however, suffered a major loss in the quarter when forward, Peter McEvoy, was stretchered off with what appeared an ankle injury and watched the remainder of the match from the sidelines. Port coach Gary Ayres was happy with his charges ball movement at quarter time and instructed them to be clean with their delivery and to keep their feet in the contest.

Lisle continued to provide headaches for the Lions defenders booting two second term goals as the Borough kicked clear to lead by 26 points at the main change - 9.9.63 to 5.7.37. Coburg small forward, Ahmed Saad, was having a good battle with Port defender Josh Tynan, held to just the one goal at half-time as the Lions struggled to find goal kickers unlike their opponents.

Light faded and the rain continued in the second half but it didn't halt the Borough's momentum as they booted five goals to two in the third to skip clear of the Lions. Coburg coach, Peter German, spoke calmly to his players at the final change, encouraging them to continue to have a 'go' and to ‘bring the ball to the ground and get numbers to the contest’; he spoke about learning from the game and it being part of their ‘development’.

It was tough around the packs in the conditions but the likes of Liam Hunt and Robbie Fox didn't stop trying for Coburg and figured in their side’s best. Lion's ruckman, Tom Goodwin, battled hard to give runners, Nathan Thomas and Ozgur Uysal first use of the ball and Daniel Younan capped off a good game kicking two last term goals to finish the match with three.

A Hugh Sandilands goal early into the final quarter got the margin out to a game-high 48 points, but the home side showed determination to fight the match out and out score their opponents four goals to two which would have pleased German. Port Melbourne are now a game clear inside the top eight at the half-way mark of the season and face an out of form Box Hill at home in round 12 in what should be an entertaining clash. Coburg's finals chances are slowly slipping away and they meet another team in need of a win to stay in touch with the top eight in Werribee at Avalon Airport Oval.

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