Port Melbourne have enjoyed a triumphant return to their home base of ETU Stadium, defeating the Western Bulldogs; 5.6.36 to 2.6.18. Despite falling behind in many key stats, the Borough were far more clinical than their Bulldogs counterparts, helping them to a fantastic 18 point win during the Saturday twilight. 

In her last game for the Borough, new Hawks recruit Sophie Locke enjoyed a magnificent swansong, ending the contest on 24 disposals, an important goal and a team-high 10 marks. 

Akayla Peterson was strong once more, enjoying twenty disposals of her own, whilst Lucy Grocock returned to the side from injury seamlessly, with fourteen touches and a goal.

Tough inside midfielder, Courteney Bromage, was the game’s leading tackler with ten, as well as sixteen disposals. Rebounding defender Zoe McWhinney was reliable as always with six tackles. 

A first-quarter deadlock was broken following an unopposed Sophie Locke mark and classy conversion. This was then usurped by a fantastic Lucy Grocock goal. The young star returning from injury, paddled, then soccered the ball to herself before turning and converting from thirty-five metres on the run, in what was the undisputed goal of the day.

Port Melbourne kicked their third goal in succession soon after the quarter time break through a calculated set shot from Beth Wilson. A singular point once more to the Bulldogs meant a 19 point lead to Port at the half.

Sarah Dargan converted her first major of the day early into the third, snapping at a forward-50 stoppage to enter the final break with a four-goal lead. Early into the last quarter, Lucy Grocock could have had her second. After expertly roving a Beth Wilson marking contest, Grocock was then unselfish, and provided Dargan with her second goal from the top of the goal square amidst chaos. 

Maddie Marks and Annaleise Xanthos helped the Bulldogs avoid a goalless defeat, however the Borough were never headed and rightfully enjoyed their second win of the season.

The Rebel Sport VFLW enters an Easter Break with Port Melbourne remaining an outside chance of sneaking into the top 6 with a slew of home games to end the season. The Borough play North Melbourne in two weeks time during the ANZAC Day long weekend, hoping to remain on the winner’s list. 

Port Melbourne 5.6.36 def Western Bulldogs 2.6.18

– Andrew Papanikolaou

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