WHEN Port Melbourne was last a competition powerhouse they would routinely square off against the Northern Bullants previous identity, Preston.
Port Melbourne defeated Preston to claim the last two legs of its premiership threepeat in 1980-81-82.
The Borough and the Bullants haven’t met in a final since the ’82 Grand Final when Port Melbourne triumphed by seven points.
These two great stalwarts of the competition line up for their 172nd meeting. Port Melbourne owns a 108-62 record with one draw.
Two of those victories are included in Port Melbourne’s record –breaking season, which has seen them go through the home and away season undefeated then trounce Casey Scorpions by 97-points in the Qualifying Final.
Port Melbourne won the opening encounter, back in round 4, by four goals in a match where Patrick Rose, Dean Galea and Ryan McMahon kicked 11 of the Borough’s 21-goals.
Northern Bullants’ team included Lachie Henderson, Setanta O’hAilpin, Bret Thornton and Denis Armfield, but was missing last week’s game winner Shaun Hampson, Jordan Russell, Ed Curnow and Levi Casboult.
The Bullants jumped Port when they last played in round 21, rushing to a four-goal quarter time lead and were still in front by two goals at half time.
But, the Borough, with Galea kicking seven goals, led a second half revival which saw Port Melbourne outscore its rival 9.9 to 4.6. It also should be noted that O’hAilpin kicked six goals and Ryan Houlihan also played for the Bullants.
Northern Bullants, winners of just three of its last nine games during the home and away season, have turned around their form during the finals.
While they’ve butchered the ball at times, the characteristic that would most please coach Darren Harris and give the players great confidence is how they’ve finished off games.
In the second half against Bendigo Bombers in the Elimination Final, Northern Bullants outscored its opponent 12.3 to 5.1 and again after a slow start, the Ants stormed home with an 11.4 to 5.4 against the reigning premiers North Ballarat.
Certainly, it speaks volumes about the players commitment, self-belief and also their fitness.
Just as they did against the Bullants and Williamstown towards the end of the home and away season, Port Melbourne rallied when Casey took a two goal break into the early stages of the second quarter.
Port Melbourne’s never-say-die attitude compliments its galaxy of stars spread all over the ground. It starts in the midfield where dual Liston Trophy winner Shane Valenti is very much the play maker.
Valenti’s ability to win and use the ball to advantage is complimented by the hard-working Toby Pinwill, Chris Cain, Malcolm Lynch, Sam Dwyer and Tristian Francis.
Port’s ability to win the centre breaks has provided a haven for Messrs Rose, Galea and Ryan McMahon.
The Bullants will again rely heavily on Brock McLean to continue his finals domination, the experience of Jarrod McCorkell and Adam Iacobucci to give its forwards enough opportunities to post a winning score.
While Casboult and Hampson have taken it in turns to kick match winning hauls, and Fothergill-Round medallist Ahmed Saad is always dangerous, North Bullants have to unravel the most miserly defence in the competition.
No club has been able to do it so far in 2011 and Northern Bullants don’t appear to have the code to crack it.
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WHERE: TEAC Oval
WHEN: Saturday September 17, 2:10pm
Head to head
Played: 171
Port Melbourne: 108
Northern Bullants: 62
Draw: 1
2011 meetings
Rd 4 Northern Bullants 18.3.111 def. by Port Melbourne 21.9.135
Rd 21 Port Melbourne 20.11.131 def. Northern Bullants 15.8.98
High/low scores
Port Melbourne
32.19.211 (1981) / 3.7.25 (1909)
Northern Bullants
26.22.178 (1990) / 2.6.18 (1905)
Last Modified on 16/09/2011 15:08