Port Melbourne fail to keep up with the Blues

By Ferguson Hickey on July 24, 2023

A disappointing day at IKON Park has seen Port Melbourne go down to Carlton 69 to 105.

A game filled with critical kicking errors out of the back half, Port Melbourne just couldn’t stop their own mistakes as countless Carlton goals came at the hands of their own kicking mistakes.

A huge game for Ethan Phillips saw him take 15 marks, many of them being intercept marks, as well 29 touches.

Kyle Viccars also had a massive afternoon for the Borough, ending with a career high four goals as well as 23 touches.

Skipper Harvey Hooper put in another great game with 31 touches and a goal, while Fraser Rosman continued his stellar season down back with eight marks and 20 touches.

Port Melbourne got their game off to a quick start, as a set of hit up kicks led to Dylan Clarke handing off the ball to Nick Stuhldreier to kick the first goal of the game.

The fast start by the Borough was instantly answered by Carlton though, as an unfortunate kick in error led to the Blues getting their first.

Kyle Viccars would give the Borough back the lead after he earned a free kick and was able to convert to continue his rich form in front of the goals.

More kicking errors in the back half from Port led to more ball dominance and scoring opportunities for the Blues, with an extended period of dominance ending in a Blues goal.

Viccars was able to kick his second to close out the quarter that saw Port only down by six at the break.

The second quarter couldn’t get off to much of a worse start for Port as Carlton was able to kick the opener of the term within a minute.

A much-needed goal from Harvey Hooper brought the game back onto terms for Port Melbourne but the momentum stopped there, as Carlton would kick the next three of the term.

Archi Manton would kick the final goal of the half, as Port Melbourne was able to claw the margin back to 26 points going into halftime.

Port Melbourne was able to snag the first goal of the second half through Kyle Viccars, as the goal sneak continued his great afternoon with his third goal of the game.

After a few opportunities with the ball and in their territory Port Melbourne started to fall away from the Blues, who started to show the bridge between the two sides.  

The only thing really keeping Port in the contest for the quarter was intercepting defenders Fraser Rosman and Ethan Phillips, who continuously blocked Carlton attacks.

After kicking the first and their only goal for the quarter, Port conceded the following four goals of the quarter to go into the final break down 45 points.

Carlton was able to extend their lead with the opening goal of the final quarter, but a nice left foot snap from Harry Stubbings saw Port kick their first goal of the final quarter.

The fourth was a far more competitive quarter than the third, with a series of goals being traded as Archi Manton was able to kick his second for the day after a great effort coming from Anthony Anastasio.

Port Melbourne would close out the quarter with the last five scoring shots, with Jesse Cucinotta kicking his first for the season as well as Kyle Viccars kicking a career high fourth goal.

Port Melbourne would end up losing the game by 36 points to the Blues, who just proved too good and skillful for the Borough.

Port Melbourne will look to respond next week as they host Coburg at ETU Stadium on Friday night at 7:35pm with the VFLW side doing their Grand Final Captain’s Run prior to the match.

Carlton 15.15 105 def 10.9 69 Port Melbourne

Goals: K Viccars 4, A Manton 2, N Stuhldreier, H Stubbings, H Hooper, J Cucinotta

Disposals: H Hooper 31, E Phillips 29, N Holmes 25, D Clarke 24

Twitter: @Ferg_Hickey36