VFL Match Preview – Round 16 vs. North Melbourne

Port Melbourne have had plenty of time to reflect on the disappointment of a hefty loss to Frankston, after entering Victoria’s lockdown just four days after being belted by the Dolphins on Friday 9th July.

Currently sitting in last position with a win/loss record of 1-7 from their 8 games played, time is now running out for the Borough to climb off the bottom and avoid a dreaded wooden spoon in this year’s new-look VFL competition.

The VFL competition continues to do the best it can to navigate the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic and avoid a second successive season abandonment, but the continual juggling of the fixture means there are a number of teams who have played less games than others.

The Borough are among seven clubs to play eight games – the least in the overall tally.

A rework of the fixture to compensate for the current government protocols and restrictions will now see Port clash with North Melbourne at Arden Street in front of no crowds in Round 16 this Saturday afternoon.

Everyone involved with the Borough – from the players to the coaches to the staff – will be hoping the extra time away from the week-to-week grind will allow for a positive response against the Kangaroos.

The loss to the Dolphins was a terribly disappointing night despite the brilliance of the opposition.

Whilst the six defeats up until that stage of the season had all contained glimpses of promise, Gary Ayres and his troops simply had no answer on a cold and miserable evening at SkyBus Stadium.

Of the small amount of positives to come out of the game was the long-awaited return – and performance – of playing assistant coach Chris Jansen (coincidentally a former North Melbourne VFL player), who collected 25 disposals and 6 marks across the half-back line in his first competitive game of footy in over two years.

Fellow ex-Kangaroo Nash Holmes (28) and Ben Jolley (27) tried hard and also won their fair share of the ball, but the red-hot Eli Templeton had arguably his first below-par performance of season 2021 after being held to just 13 possessions by the impressive midfield unit of the Dolphins.

Look for a significant rebound to form by the hungry and proud Templeton this weekend.

With a score of just 4.3 to show from their efforts that night, it’s fair to say that Ayres will be seeking a big lift from his front half, with three of the Borough’s four majors coming from the unlikely sources of debutant Marcus Kane (two) and experienced defender Fletcher Roberts (one).

Much of North Melbourne’s fortunes at VFL level have been reflective of their AFL counterparts, with significant improvement occurring since the start of the year.

After kicking off season 2021 with five huge losses, North were then able to put together three stirring victories over Essendon, Coburg and Werribee before falling just 11 points short of Premiership fancies Footscray prior to the latest lockdown.

Although that clash with the Dogs was nearly a month ago, much confidence could be taken out of the performance of both the VFL and AFL-listed playing contingents for the Roos.

VFL-listed midfielder Harry Jones collected 34 disposals and a goal, whilst AFL-listed ruckman Tom Campbell had 26 possessions and 48 hitouts against his former AFL club in that outing.

Campbell has plenty of experience and is always a dominant force when plying his trade at VFL level. If he is – as expected – a part of the North Melbourne side to face the Borough this Saturday, he will present a huge challenge to the young brigade of Port talls.

Showers are forecast to arrive in the afternoon during the game as well though, which may mean contests won at ground level prove to be more pivotal than usual in the end result.

These two clubs faced off in the final practice match of season 2021 at Arden Street in April, with the Kangaroos prevailing in a close one.

If both sides bring their ‘A-game’, this clash promises to be just as exciting.

Although no crowds will be permitted at attend under current Government restrictions, Borough fans are encouraged to tune in to the Club’s social media channels for regular updates throughout the day.

Action will commence at Arden Street Oval at 12:00pm.

Article: Sam Wharton.

Image credit: Tony Cannatelli.