A 51-point victory down by the bay | Round 18 Match Report
By Zoe Greenhill, Borough Media on July 25, 2022
Port Melbourne has walked away from Sunday’s game with an astonishing 51-point victory over Sandringham. Clear and sunny skies with minimal wind at Trever Barker Beach Oval made for pleasant playing conditions as the Borough were chasing their sixth win of the season.
Nash Holmes played his tagging defensive role exceptionally well; with 15 tackles, he was 10 above his personal game average showing his ability to put his body on the line and stop the ball from moving to the Zebras forward. Jake Gasper also had an outstanding game in front of goals, kicking 6 straight for the afternoon.
The first quarter saw Sandringham take the lead early and extend it as far as 20-points. Cody Szust used Matthew Signorello’s missed set shot to kick the teams first and lit the fire for Port Melbourne. Jesse Cucinotta kicked a well-deserved goal late in the first bringing the margin back to 7 points, Zebras way, going into quarter-time.
The second quarter was a 6-goal term for Port Melbourne with 6 individual goal scorers. Jake Gasper kicked his first early in the quarter before Oskar Manton had his first look at a VFL goal to put the Borough in the lead. The boys all got around him before setting up to go again. Sandringham then held possession but defensive work from Nike Burke, Jackson Weidemann and Ethan Phillips prevented more than a goal being scored. Goals from Tom O’Sullivan, Anthony Anastasio, in his 50th game for the club, Cambpell Walker and Matt Signorello saw the Borough sit 16-points up at half time.
The third quarter displayed some neck and neck footy with 4-goals apiece being scored. 2 early goals from the Zebras meant the Borough had to increase the pressure to hold the lead, and that they did. The ball remained inside Port Melbourne’s 50 for the next 5 minutes, however, only one major was scored. Manton, Lentini and Gasper all put goals on the board, with the lead sitting at 17-points in the final break, setting up for a huge final term.
A 9-goal quarter was brought out in the final term, assisting Port Melbourne to their 51-point victory. 109 marks for the afternoon showed Port Melbourne’s ability to compose around the ball, especially in the final and ultimately take home the win.
Next week, Port Melbourne head to the Gold Coast to play at Metricon Stadium on Sunday morning before heading into a bye the following round.
Port Melbourne 19.9 123 defeated Sandringham 10.12 72
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