Portarlington has marked loyal servant Will Foott’s 150th appearance for the club with a stirring nine-point win over Barwon Heads in a performance that keeps alive the club’s hopes of ending a 32-year finals drought.
Trailing by 29 points at halftime, the accurate Demons roared back into the contest with the aid of the breeze in the third quarter, kicking 6.2 to 3.1 to reduce the deficit to 10 points at the final change.
However, it was that breeze Portarlington had to kick into during the last quarter, and they did so with aplomb before a raucous home crowd.
The Demons kicked five goals to the Seagulls’ two to claim a 17.5 (107) to 15.8 (98) result.
It was their first win over Barwon Heads since Round 2, 2010, snapping a 29-match losing streak against the visitors.
“Will’s a person that’s bled for the club and he’s had some really dark times there,” coach Sam Scott told K rock Football before heading to hospital to have treatment on a cut head.
“There was that motivation to put it all together for him today.
“I think it was coming, a really big scalp.
“We got one against Newcomb, but I think it was coming with how the boys have been able to put together parts of games.
“I think we were due.”
Scott says there was no panic despite the almost five-goal margin at the main break, with Portarlington’s accuracy (6.0) keeping it somewhat in the contest.
“In that second quarter, there was a bit of a breeze, and they put together four goals, and they really came hard for us,” he said.
“We went into halftime and, to the boys’ credit, the leaders just took hold of the situation and spoke about the belief.
“And we came back out and put it together.”
Despite still trailing at three-quarter time, Scott was confident local knowledge would prove beneficial.
“We know how to kick against the breeze at Port, which is just to hit up, and the boys did that so well,” Scott said
“Tom Panuccio started running and just took the game on with Max Ruiter.
“It really sparked us in that last quarter.”
Captain Mitch Turnbull was also important, finishing with five goals, while recruit Michael Herlihy and Hayden Eddy contributed three apiece.
The performance of Eddy, who was dropped to the reserves last week, came after battling illness during the week.
“His response today was amazing,” Scott said.
“The poor fella had gastro on Thursday and was pretty crook yesterday.
“We made the call this morning to play him, and we’re pretty happy we did that.”
The victory brings the Demons within two wins of the top five, 12 points behind fifth-placed Newcomb, which has had both of its byes this season.
However, Scott knows his team can’t afford to slip up against competition newcomers Surf Coast when they meet for a second time next week.
“I’ve lost a bit of sleep over that one, so it’s one that we really want,” Scott said.
“It’ll be straight back to work tomorrow.
“We’ll review their game and our game and look at ways that we can beat them.”
It is understood that Panuccio will come under the scrutiny of the Match Review Panel for an alleged incident in the second quarter.
Veteran ruck Scott Greenough and key defender Nathan McHugh are both a chance to take on the Suns after being sidelined.
Barwon Heads’ loss has cost it third spot on the ladder heading into a double bye.
Jack Henderson kicked four goals and was named the Seagulls’ best player.
Queenscliff produced one of the best quarters of the BFNL season to see off a plucky challenge from Drysdale to regain the Hand Up Cup.
With scores level at Mortimer Oval at three-quarter time at 38 apiece – the same number worn by Lucas Niven, whose memory is honoured as part of the day – the Coutas stormed home.
They kicked ten goals while holding the Hawks to two behinds to record a 15.12 (102) to 5.10 (40) result.
Jordan Monahan kicked five goals for Queenscliff, with Che Durran and Caleb Whitley important contributors.
Luke Preece, Lachie Nelis, and 200-gamer Jack Jenkins did all they could for Drysdale.
In his first game back from a broken arm, reigning Les Ash medallist Ben Fennell kicked a goal.
The Sam Lloyd-Mitch Day combination has had another day out for Geelong Amateur, with the pair kicking five goals apiece in a comfortable 68-point win over Modewarre at Community Bank Oval.
Ammos raced to a 33-point quarter-time lead and were never seriously threatened by the Warriors in posting an 18.20 (128) to 8.12 (60) result.
Lloyd now has 51 goals for the season, while Day is sitting on 34.
Jordan Motton kicked three goals for the Warriors, who were best served by Connor Joseph and Oscar Cooke.
Ayden Gras posted a double-figure goal tally for the second time this season as Anglesea handed an understrength Ocean Grove a 118-point hiding at Ellimatta Reserve.
Gras, who kicked ten goals against Surf Coast in Round 7, did the same as the Roos’ belted the Grubbers, 23.16 (154) to 5.6 (36).
James Paterson finished with three goals for the visitors.
Fraser Stow, one of three debutants for Ocean Grove, was named their best.
It was closer than their first meeting, but Torquay still proved too strong for local rivals Surf Coast at McCartney Oval.
The Tigers, led by five goals from Hugh Trigg and Tom Diamond, had the better of the Suns by 109 points, 22.19 (141) to 6.6 (42).
Big man Mitch Hovey kicked two majors for the Suns.
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