Port Melbourne Colts became the second VWFL team of 2015 to complete an unbeaten season with premiership success.
The Colts did not have it all their own way in the Grand Final, forced survive an almighty fright from a determined Montmorency outfit, eventually winning 6.4 (40) to 4.7 (31) as Michael Thompson reports.
The Magpies were determined to tear up the form guide which included an average losing margin of 65 points throughout the season to the Colts – the most recent result a 66-point semi final loss.
Montmorency gained the early advantage, kicking the opening two goals after a sustained period of dominance. Hayley Munro was first to score after soccering off the ground from close range, before Bailey Hunt added a second. The likes of best on ground Brooke Lochland, Tenille Webb and Deanna Berry were dominant through midfield, shocking the Colts.
However, it would only be a matter of time before the Colts would respond, and were able to control the remainder of the quarter. Their dominant patch was rewarded when Emma Mackie – one of the Colts' best – put through their first goal of the afternoon. However, Montmorency had a response through Berry, who snapped a miraculous goal right on the siren to fire the Magpies to a 16 point quarter time lead.
The Colts needed to respond quickly, and respond they did. However, their sustained period of territorial dominance was repelled frequently by the likes of jack-of-all-trades Munro, who moved from full-forward to full-back. Eventually, the tidal wave of pressure threatened to burst the game wide open when Kayla Slattery booted the Colts' second, before assistant coach Jen Plumb snuck forward to put the Colts within two points at half time.
Bronte James put the Port Colts in front for the first time in the game, midway through the third term, but momentum for both teams would come to a stop soon. A break in play followed soon after the James goal after Montmorency’s Berry – one of the Magpies' best players to that point – was taken to hospital after suffering a concussion in a tackle in the forward 50 which stopped play. Neither team scored after the resumption - the Colts turning for home only three points in front with everything on the line.
Port Melbourne would stretch their lead early thanks to Amy Unwin, who unleashed a match-winning last quarter, stretching their lead to 10 points. Although Munro – who by now had moved into the ruck – would put Montmorency straight back into the game, Unwin was able to respond again for the Colts with her second to deliver a premiership in a memorable final term.
Lochland, Webb and Munro were Monty's key players for the afternoon as they came so close to delivering a premiership, while Mackie, Unwin, Jacinta Dimasi in the ruck and Jade Stoneman were major factors in the Colts' victory.
Port Melbourne Colts 1.0 3.2 4.3 6.4 (40)
Montmorency FC 3.4 3.4 3.5 4.7 (31)
Best on ground: Brooke Lochland (Montmorency)
Photo: Arj Giese
Last Modified on 30/08/2015 21:57