Portarlington’s hopes of snatching a fairytale finals berth remain alive for at least another week after holding off Drysdale by two points in a Bellarine thriller at Mortimer Oval.
The Demons’ 11.11 (77) to 10.15 (75) victory, which brought them level on wins with fifth-placed Anglesea and sixth-placed Newcomb, was the first time that they had beaten their archrivals twice in a season since 2015.
Coach Sam Scott admits Portarlington didn’t have it all their own way.
“They actually dominated the game in the first half, and we were really lucky that they kicked some points and just kept us in it,” he reflected.
“We went into halftime three goals down, and it could have been five or six, which would have made it really hard.
“But it gave us an opportunity just to refocus on the important things and then come back out really strong in the third quarter, and we managed to hang on.”
Veteran ruck Scott Greenhough, who will extend his lengthy playing career into 2027, proved why a quality big man is so important in the Bellarine.
“He was amazing,” Scott said.
“He would have had every ruck tap, I reckon, probably would have had 20 touches.
“And then he also kicked two goals from left foot snaps, which is just unbelievable for a big man to be able to do that.”
Playing assistant coach Michael Herlihy was also important with the contest on the line, finishing with three goals, while Brock Williamson contributed four majors.
“Kelly Pickard was the other one for us across halfback,” Scott said.
“When they really came and penetrated the game, he just was able to mark everything and relaunch for us.
To end a 32-year finals drought, Portarlington will have to do it the hard way.
The Demons face Geelong Amateur, who they have only beaten once since Ammos entered the competition in 1995, and minor premier Queenscliff to round out the home-and-away season.
One win and other results going their way could be enough. However, a less-than-ideal percentage means winning both would be better.
Scott had hoped to play finals when he took on the role at the end of last year, but concedes early-season losses to Surf Coast and Ocean Grove will likely come back to haunt them.
“I think right now where we sit, we’re probably where I would have really liked to have been sitting when you take on a new group,” he said.
“We lost a couple of games that on reflection probably really hurt us.
“But I’m really proud of the way that the groups responded at the back end of the year.
“From where we were at Round 6 to now, we’ve exceeded expectations.
“But from the beginning of the year, we’re probably bang on.
The loss ended Drysdale’s four-match winning streak, and at the same time extinguished the Hawks’ hopes of being part of a fifth consecutive finals series post-Covid.
Ben Carmichael’s men went into the contest with star Lauchie Dalgleish and young gun Ollie Castro, who were both late withdrawals.
Ash medallist Ben Fennell kicked three goals, and along with Luke Preece, Jye Hawkins and Jack Jenkins, did all he could to drag Drysdale over the line.
The Hawks host Anglesea next week in what is their final home-and-away match of the season before having the bye in Round 20.
A stunning final quarter from co-captain Tom Webster was the difference as Newcomb (6th, 8-8) survived a strong challenge from lowly Ocean Grove (10th, 3-13) to stay alive in its chase for a first finals berth in 19 years.
The Power trailed the Grubbers during time-on in the third quarter at Ray Menzies Oval, but outscored the home team seven goals to one to record an 18.11 (119) to 11.8 (74) result.
However, Webster’s mid-season move forward continues to pay dividends, with his five final quarter goals part of a seven-goal haul.
If Newcomb is to play finals, it needs to beat Barwon Heads next week.
The returning Jack Thomson kicked three goals for Ocean Grove.
Torquay (3rd, 12-4) has overcome archrivals Anglesea (5th, 8-8) by 33 points at McCartney Oval.
The Tigers trailed the reigning premier by 24 points at the first change, before outscoring the Roos 12 goals to two for the rest of the contest to claim a 12.10 (82) to 5.19 (49) victory.
Hugh Trigg kicked four goals for Torquay, which will likely face Geelong Amateur in a qualifying final to open the Bellarine finals series on August 28.
Will Batson kicked two goals for Anglesea, which needs to beat either Drysdale or Modewarre in the final two rounds to secure an elimination final berth.
A ten-goal haul from playing co-coach Sam Lloyd was the highlight as Geelong Amateur (2nd, 13-3) dominated Barwon Heads (4th, 9-7) after quarter time on their way to a 96-point win at Winter Reserve.
The Pegs outscored their ‘hosts’, who were missing Damian McMahon, Luke Davis and Kyle Polley, 17 goals to three in posting a 22.12 (144) to 6.12 (48) victory.
Lloyd’s hopes of kicking a ton for the second time in his extensive career remain alive, with the season-high haul taking his tally to 80 for the season.
Mitch Jensen kicked three goals for Barwon Heads, which can still miss the finals if it were to lose to Newcomb and Ocean Grove in the final two rounds.
Unless Geelong Amateur posts two massive wins, and Queenscliff (1st, 15-2) suffers a belting from Portarlington in the final round, the Coutas’ 180-point win over Surf Coast (11th, 1-15) should be enough to claim the minor premiership.
Jordy Monahan kicked eight goals, and Izaac Grant and Kai Keenan contributed four apiece in the 31.25 (211) to 4.7 (31) victory at Queenscliff Recreation Reserve.
Modewarre (9th, 5-11) had the bye.
