The Southern Saints are through to next week’s VFLW semi finals following a comprehensive display over the third-placed Port Melbourne at ETU Stadium.
Spearheaded by Jess Matin, the visitors broke clear after the Borough took a six-point lead at the first change, battling through typical Melbourne weather – complete with downpours, wind and pristine football conditions – to bank the 3.5 (23) to 7.15 (57) triumph.
The Saints held a firm grip over proceedings for majority of the afternoon, owning the clearance battle (17-38) and registering a superb 22 scoring shots from 34 entries. It wasn’t until the final term that the scoreboard – despite an influx of minor scores – reflected the Southern Saints’ ascendancy on the contest.
Matin was in the thick of the action from siren to siren, amassing 20 disposals, seven inside-50s, six clearances and two goals – as well as creating several other opportunities – to chart among her side's best.
The 19-year-old's second major – a clever hack out of mid-air from the goal square – was the highlight of the afternoon, but a crunching tackle on Port Melbourne’s Sophie Locke moments earlier came close to earn several cheers from the crowd.
Matin’s industrious work was matched by small forward Gabriella De Angelis (one goal) and key target Tara Bohanna (20 disposals, six marks, two goals), while Hannah Stuart led the midfield brigade with 18 touches and four tackles.
Deanna Joliffe was equally important in her run-with role on No. 1 draft pick Ellie McKenzie before she was moved to the forward line in the final term, while Alice Burke (15 disposals, 11 tackles) put the clamps down on Sophie Locke and was a steadying influence across half-back.
Despite the margins at each break suggesting a tighter contest, Port Melbourne’s only real assertion on the game came from its strong opening term and early victory in the territory battle.
The Saints snatched back control shortly after as sheets of rain came down in the second term, with deeper forward entries and an insurmountable lead on the disposals front helping tick the scoreboard over.
Port Melbourne’s dam wall finally broke in the last quarter as Dale Robinson’s side piled on 10 shots on goal – only three of which were major scores – to come out 34-point winners.
The fixture for the Southern Saints' semi final will be confirmed shortly.
PORT MELBOURNE 2.2 2.3 3.5 3.5 (23)
SOUTHERN SAINTS 1.2 3.6 4.8 7.15 (57)
GOALS
Port Melbourne: Harley, Locke, Vickers
Southern Saints: Bohanna 2, Matin 2, De Angelis, Kearns, Ripari
BEST
Port Melbourne: Barton, Dyett, Harley, Bromage, McKenzie, Edmonds
Southern Saints: Matin, Bohanna, Stuart, De Angelis, A. Burke, Neaves, Smith
