Match Report: VFL Round 8 v Bullants

By Andrew Papanikolaou, Borough Media on May 16, 2022

Port Melbourne have notched up their second win of the season following a gutsy 16-point victory against the Northern Bullants. The Genis Steel Oval contest ended; 12.8.80 to 9.10.64, with Port travelling home victorious.

The Borough were buoyed by a four-goal Jake Gasper game, with Eli Templeton finishing with a match-high 33 disposals and nine tackles. Fletcher Roberts was the other multiple goalscorer, with three, while Corey Wagner amassed 22 disposals and a crucial final quarter goal. 

Skipper Tom O’Sullivan (28 disposals; 11 marks), lamented a sluggish first quarter into the breeze in which the Bullants kicked the first five majors. However, the Borough’s energy and pressure around the contest from then on allowed Port to will the game back on their terms and implement their brand of footy. O’Sullivan praised Jake Gasper’s game, making mention of the flexibility it afforded his forward half partner Fletcher Roberts. 

The Bullants were the fast starters and took advantage of some Port Melbourne ill-discipline, the beneficiaries of a two-for-one shot on goal. Jake Gasper, however, converted his set shot in the dying minutes of the term to keep the Borough within arm’s length at quarter time. 

With the breeze now benefitting Port Melbourne, the Borough slowly chipped away at a 23-point quarter time margin. Jake Gasper booted his second of the match with Fletcher Roberts and Cody Szust joining in on the scoring. The Borough hit the front after Fletcher Roberts’ second goal creeped over the goal line, however two late goals to the Bullants wrestled the ascendency back towards the home side. 

The third quarter was a scrappy one. Fortunately, Port Melbourne were the only goal scorers during the third stanza as Jake Gasper added a third and Tom Cameron booted his first, to bring the margin to a solitary point. Poor accuracy meant the Bullants were goalless, however their six behinds converted into a four point lead at the final change. 

Port Melbourne began to flex their contested ball muscle in the final quarter, with the midfield dominating the clearances. Archi Manton and Jake Gasper converted the Borough’s hard work, taking the lead and skipping away to an eight point margin, before Liam Mackie of the Bullants booted his third goal of the day, to keep the home team within touching distance. Fletcher Roberts returned serve, kicking his third as Corey Wagner sealed the win with five minutes to play. A late Bullants goal was canceled out by Borough favourite, Anthony Anastasio, as the enigmatic small forward iced the game for good. 

Port Melbourne face Southport next Saturday at ETU Stadium, in the club’s final double header of the season. The first bounce for the Men’s is at 12:05pm, with the VFLW side facing Collingwood soon after at 3:35pm. 

Northern Bullants 9.10.64 def by Port Melbourne 12.8.80