From Hobsons Bay Leader
Reported by Luke D'Anello
Full Story Click Here
WILLIAMSTOWN'S premiership dream was extinguished at the final hurdle on Sunday as a clinical Port Melbourne claimed the Victorian Football League premiership after a breathtaking display in the season decider.
Searching for their first flag since 2003, the Seagulls started strongly before being overwhelmed by the Borough, who collected the silverware by 56 points, 22.12 (144) to 13.10 (88).
In front of a crowd of 11,859 at Etihad Stadium, Port Melbourne became the first side since North Melbourne in 1918 to complete an undefeated season, while the plucky Seagulls were left to ponder a missed opportunity.
Williamstown booted the first four goals of the grand final, but the Borough soon awoke from its slumber and kicked nine of the next 11 to build a 21-point advantage at halftime.
The Borough savaged its opponent at the stoppages and proceeded to silence the pundits who said the wide expanses of Etihad would suit the slick Seagulls. The plucky Seagulls threatened to mount a fightback during the third term, but Port Melbourne appeared to have an answer for everything.
When Seagull Matthew Panos kicked accurately and cut the margin to just 15 points at the start of the final quarter, an unlikely comeback looked possible.
But the Borough put an exclamation mark on a season of sustained excellence by kicking the last seven goals of the game. "I felt we were in good enough nick in terms of our preparation and blokes' fitness and everything like that to be able to go the distance," Williamstown coach Peter German said.
"After quarter-time, we never really got the game on our terms."
Ironically it was two former Seagulls, Dean Galea (six goals) and Patrick Rose (five), who piloted Port's triumph.
The lethal forward pairing feasted on a flowing supply of silver service delivery from Port Melbourne's midfield.
Tough Port midfielder Toby Pinwill won the Norm Goss medal for best afield.
The desolation of defeat was palpable, but the Seagulls ran into arguably the best side in VFA/VFL history.
Port Melbourne 2.0 9.7 15.10 22.12 (144)
Williamstown 5.3 6.4 12.7 13.10 (88)
GOALS: Port Melbourne: Galea 6 Rose 5 Cain 3 Batsanis 2 Burstin 2 McGrath Skipper Dillon Valenti.
Williamstown: Panos 4 Djerrkura 2 Goodes Cravino Johnson Davies Hahn Hooper Jolley
BEST: Port Melbourne: Pinwill Rose Galea Dwyer Pleming Skipper. Williamstown: Panos Goodes Howard Djerrkura Jolley Addison
