Port Melbourne have been defeated by Hawthorn in a one-sided Mother’s Day contest on Sunday afternoon at ETU Stadium.
The Hawks dominated the play all day to leave victorious by 88-points, the final score reading 2.2 (14) to 15.12 (102).
The ball was regularly down at the Borough’s defensive end, however, Lisa Davie and Olivia Barton rarely wilted under the Hawks’ pressure and finished with sixteen and fourteen disposals respectively.
Kaitlyn O’Keefe was the Borough’s leading disposal-winner with seventeen, as 50th-gamer Courteney Bromage finished with a game-high twelve tackles.
Additional youth was once more injected into the Borough line-up, with the Murray Bushranger trio consisting of twins, Madison and Tayissa Gray, and Molly Kennedy all running out for their first games.
The Gray sisters combined for twelve and eleven disposals respectively, with Kennedy slowly warming to the contest and ramping up the pressure in the final quarter, ending the match with three tackles.
Interim Senior Coach Yul Mustapha couldn’t fault the Borough’s week leading up to the contest on the training track, but execution errors and a red-hot Hawks’ outfit was the difference on the day, with Mustapha proud of the effort the young Borough side displayed.
The experienced coach was confident the next generation have offered an exciting glimpse into the future of women’s football in the Red and Blue.
The Hawks kicked the first eight goals of the match, five of those coming during the opening stanza. Jessie Williams and Kristy Stratton kicked four goals apiece for the Brown and Gold.
An early injury to key forward Emily Harley capped off a dogged opening half for the Borough. As the contest resumed after half time, Port’s pressure had lifted noticeably as the Borough were rewarded with a Bella Stutt goal.
Kate Adams was another that lifted in the second half, finishing the game with five marks and four tackles. Lucy Grocock was a strong target up forward after the early injury to Emily Harley, showcasing her aerial marking prowess. A fantastic final quarter contested mark followed by a calmy converted set shot meant Grocock was duly rewarded for her effort on the day.
Port Melbourne face the Casey Demons next Saturday at ETU Stadium. Both teams will be looking to bounce back after Round 11 losses, the ball being bounced at 2:00pm.
Port Melbourne 2.2.14 def by Hawthorn 15.12.102
