A massively disappointing result on Friday night.
After weeks of consistent footy, marred by late fade-outs, and then breaking through for such an important win against Williamstown last week, this was a huge step backwards.
Port Melbourne 4.15.39
Richmond 13.10.88
The Tigers were dominant all night, and starved the Borough of any real scoring opportunities in front of goal. Richmond were taller, quicker and moved the ball swiftly and despite the Borough having more clearances. We couldn't make good use of our forward entries.
The free kick count was fairly even, 19-22 Richmond's way, but there was some fairly ordinary umpiring in patches and multiple 50m penalties paid.
Of concern for the Borough our only goal in the first half was from a free kick.
Billy Gowers who had been in some stellar form, struggled to have any real impact on the game and was well held when playing forward, and was ineffective when in the middle.
Standouts for Port were Harvey Hooper, Josh Green, Lachie Rankin, while Tom Highmore and Tom Hird worked hard in the backline.
I think that could be our season gone now. I thought the crowd was down on recent weeks. Perhaps the cold Friday night kept a few more away.
And the women's side lost the early game to North Melbourne, by 11 points. Port's season looks very shaky having lost 4 of the past 5 matches. Geelong, sitting on the bottom of the ladder, is a must win next week.
* It's time to restore the VFA name.
When you kick 1.9 in the first half you're not going to be in too many contests! Scoreboard pressure is so important, it can have a big impact on the mentality of a team.
Seems like they were that tad bit quicker than us, their pressure was 100% efficient, didnt give us any room to breath which led to rushed decisions, multiple errors and ill disciplined play.
Fought hard to try contain them but we faced a Richmond that would have beaten any vfl side yesterday - that's not a excuse we werent good enough and really humbled us after the high and huge belief last Sunday gave Port fans.
Its a shame as theirs a lot of hark work going on by management who have made it a substantially better environment but if you cant get on field right then it becomes worthless as people turn away, much like the big exodus we saw of Port fans who left well before the final siren. To leave that early obviously shows they were dejected- i fear many wont be back in a hurry.
17 PREMIERSHIPS, 19 X Runners up
THE VFLS MOST SUCCESSFUL CLUB - THE MIGHTY PORT MELBOURNE BOROUGH!
I'M PORT MELBURNE BORN, I'M PORT MELBOURNE BRED, I'LL BE PORT UNTIL I'M DEAD!!!
Our inside 50s were shocking, fix this up, and we can finish off the hard work.
Not going to win many games, just bombing it inside 50 need to get your forwards to separate and lead into space.
I thought time and time again we played into Richmond's hands.
I am hoping Kyle Viccars comes back into the side, I think he can be very dangerous up forward
I am not an umpire basher but Port didn't get the rub of the green some very bad decisions
Been the story of our last few years, ineffective inside 50s. I reckon we were too presurised to put together any meaningful insude 50s- was a case of players thinking quick im under pressure and going to get tackled, get it jn there and hope for the best.
17 PREMIERSHIPS, 19 X Runners up
THE VFLS MOST SUCCESSFUL CLUB - THE MIGHTY PORT MELBOURNE BOROUGH!
I'M PORT MELBURNE BORN, I'M PORT MELBOURNE BRED, I'LL BE PORT UNTIL I'M DEAD!!!