Portarlington has overcome injuries to three players and a warmer-than-usual Good Friday to snap the longest active losing streak in Victorian country football.
The Demons started their 150th-anniversary celebrations in style with a 31-point win over Newcomb, 15.13 (103) to 10.12 (72), in front of a finals-size crowd at Ron Evans Oval.
With former Carlton player Jaryd Cachia and reigning best-and-fairest runner-up Mitch Turnbull both out of the contest by half-time with hamstring injuries, Portarlington was then left with one on the bench when Shane Wiffen suffered a concussion that caused a five-minute delay to play during the third quarter.
Second-year coach Warren Finlayson couldn’t hide his emotions post-game in the rooms.
“We reflected on what it means to play here on Good Friday,” he said.
“We asked the boys to give a sacrifice and how much they were prepared to give.
“We went down two key players at half-time, and they really responded, so I couldn’t be any more prouder of the group.
“From the outset, the community got around us, and the pride they take in the game is phenomenal.”
It was the Demons’ first win since beating Newcomb in Round 16, 2018 – 2071 days ago.
Former Hawthorn player Teia Miles, who spent last year in the WAFL with Claremont, and ex-Richmond and North Melbourne midfielder Connor Menadue were the standouts for Portarlington.
Miles kicked five goals after starting forward before going back into defence late in the game to ensure Newcomb couldn’t get a run on.
Menadue showed why he was good enough to play 46 AFL games with a classy midfield display, including two long-distance goals that helped the Demons to a 25-point lead at half-time.
Newcomb Jack Duke (five) and first-game Josh Saltalamacchia (four) kicked nine goals between them, with Portarlington defender Nathan Pigott keeping Andrew Steele quiet.
Power coach Tony Mirabella was left to rue missed opportunities in the second quarter, including Duke hitting the post from the top of the goalsquare.
“I think it was five set shots we missed in the second quarter,” Mirabella said.
“And in the back half of the first quarter, where we had some really good momentum and didn’t probably put the foot to the throat when we were three goals up.
“Opportunities in Round 1 when there’s a lot of emotion and a lot of pressure, you’ve got to take advantage of it.
“Unfortunately, we weren’t able to early in the game and ran out of legs.”
Newcomb suffered its own injury issues, with Damien Horbury (sternum) and Jack Drought (shoulder) out of the contest by quarter time.
The Power will dust themselves off for a Round 2 meeting with reigning premier Torquay.
Portarlington, which also claimed victory in the reserves, will look to snap a losing streak of 58 games against Ocean Grove dating back to 1994.
That was the last year the Demons made the finals, losing the grand final to the Grubbers.
Meanwhile, Queenscliff has marked the return of super coach Heath Jamieson with a 24-point win over Ocean Grove at Ray Menzies Oval.
The Coutas kicked six goals to one in the final term to overcome a six-point deficit and claim a 15.14 (104) to 12.8 (80) victory.
Former Adelaide and Hawthorn player Kyle Hartigan and young gun Will Baker both kicked four goals, with Harry Gower, Max Scott and Caleb Whitley among Queenscliff’s best.
After 31 goals in 2023, Brady Pritchard impressed with four goals for the Grubbers.
Ed Dayman and Max Sutton were the best for Dave Farrell’s men.
In the night game at Community Bank Oval, Geelong Amateur defeated Modewarre by 27 points after a first-half arm wrestle.
The visitors led by one point at quarter and half-time before pulling away with an eight-goal-to-four second half to register a 13.11 (89) to 9.8 (62) win.
Debutant Tom Gorell kicked four goals for the Pegs, with Daniel Grose, William Page and former Werribee star Tom Gribble among their best.
Grovedale recruit Scott Morter and Matty McKim kicked two goals apiece for the Warriors, who were best served former St Joseph’s big man Josh Hovey and the returning Matt Farrelly
Tomorrow, reigning premier Torquay unfurls its 2023 premiership flag against Drysdale at McCartney Oval, with live coverage via krockfootball.live
And Barwon Heads hosts Angelsea at Howard Harmer Oval.
