Port Melbourne News

From The Age
Reported by Michael Sharkie

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PORT MELBOURNE consolidated its standing as VFL premiership favourite in style yesterday, dismantling Werribee by 74 points, 20.10 (130) to 6.20 (56), in the first qualifying final.

Buoyed by the return from injury of its captain Luke Cotchett, Port played accountable, attacking football and had Werribee under pressure from the outset to lead by 25 points at quarter-time.

Although well behind on the scoreboard, Werribee was very much in the game for three quarters but squandered numerous opportunities in front of goal.

"Our continual pressure was very good, especially down back. It was so great that it was almost perceived at times," said Port Melbourne coach Gary Ayres. "Considering we won by 70-odd-points in a final, I'd say we did a pretty good job."

From the ABC Grandstand website
Reported by Chris Thompson

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Port Melbourne host the Bullants in the final round of the home-and-away season this Saturday and ABC Grandstand will be there to bring you all the action live from 1pm.

Both teams are already assured of a finals berth, but there’s still plenty to play for in terms of ladder position.

A Port win could see them finish atop the VFL ladder, a spectacular achievement for a stand-alone side and the ideal position from which to launch a premiership bid.

From the Sunday Age
Reported by Michael Sharkie

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PORT MELBOURNE goes into the final round of the VFL home-and-away season knowing it has a top-three spot sewn up after a 66-point victory over Collingwood at home yesterday, 13.21 (99) to 4.9 (33).

Although missing full-back Luke Livingston with a minor hamstring injury, and losing key onballer David Spriggs, also to a hamstring injury, Port controlled the game from the outset, with Collingwood looking out of its depth by quarter-time.

Unable to match Port for firepower up forward, Collingwood tried to slow the match in the second term and succeeded, restricting Port's running game and stemming the flow of goals. While frustrating their opponents with their "chip and wait" game plan, the Magpies failed to convert possessions into scoring opportunities despite Sam Iles and Rhyce Shaw, who returned from injury in good form, getting plenty of the ball across the midfield.

From the Leader Group Newspapers
www.localfooty.com.au
Reported by Brad Beitzel

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PORT Melbourne played some of its best football to overcome second-placed Williamstown by 10 points at TEAC Oval on Saturday.

But stars Adrian Bonaddio (charging) and David Robbins (kicking) will face the VFL tribunal this Tuesday.

Key forward Bonaddio, who is third on the goalkicking table with 45 goals, was charged for "making forceful or high contact" to Western Bulldog Easton Wood. The clash was captured on ABC TV1.

But the vision of Robbins' incident with Bulldogs Cameron Wight did not reflect the report.

The TV shows them flying for a mark and both come to ground.

Play continued, and then Wight is seen being taken from the ground with blood coming from his lip.

From the Sunday Herald-Sun
Reported by Ken Piesse

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Port Melbourne was bold and brave in its rousing victory against fellow flag contenders Williamstown, Port coach Gary Ayres said last night.

Despite the reports of David Robbins (for allegedly kicking) and leading goalkicker Adrian Bonaddio - both before half-time - Ayres said Port's run of 10 wins from their past 11 starts is proof of his team's quality.

"Are you on?" he urged the players in a rousing pre-match address. "It's all about standing up. That's the deal."

Bulldogs-listed player, Williamstown's Cameron Wight, was taken to hospital bleeding from the jaw after the Robbins report.

Williamstown coach Brad Gotch said: "Our doctor couldn't stop the bleeding. It was the best option."