Round 2 for the 2022 season brought some very wintery conditions, strong wind, and icy rain leaving Port Melbourne walking away with a tough 2-point loss to Coburg.

Borough came into the first quarter with all guns blazing kicking an astonishing 5 goals, Matt Signorello kicking two of them. Spirits were high going into the second quarter. However, the strong wind towards Coburg’s forward line made it a difficult ball game for the Borough to win.

Strong pressure throughout the game from Harvey Hooper with 9 tackles alongside Marcus Lentini with 7 tackles meant Borough was able to prevent some big goals from Coburg. Going into the major break the score remained the same from the quarter time break at 5.1 31, leaving room for a big second half from Port Melbourne.

The third quarter bought out some of Port Melbourne’s best footy. Pressure was high, team work was evident and the scoreboard was reflecting it all. Goals from Hooper, Weidemann, and a third for Signorello assisted Borough to a 27-point lead 25 minutes into the quarter. Coburg, however, was able to respond remarkably well with 3 straight goals before the final break.

The fourth quarter provided some nail-biting footy. A couple of rushed behinds and missed kicks left the leading team swapping frequently. A late goal from Corey Wagner put the Borough even with Coburg with 3 minutes remaining on the clock. Port Melbourne used every last bit of energy to push their defensive skills hard but unfortunately just fell short after 2 behinds from Coburg.

Strong efforts from both Jesse Cucinotta and Eli Templeton left them walking away with 30 disposals each.

Port Melbourne is back at home for round 3 for a double header with the womens side for the first home game of the season.

Port Melbourne 9.8 – 62 defeated by Coburg 8.16 64

– Zoe Greenhill