SFNL: Port Melbourne Colts skipper Justin Taylor speaks on the Colts’ comeback win

Trusting Josh Caddy’s process as coach and the addition of ex-AFL excitement machine Harley Bennell were all factors in Port Melbourne Colts’ comeback win, according to captain Justin Taylor.

St Kilda v Port Melbourne Colts at Peanut Farm Reserve, St Kilda, Melbourne, April 15th 2023. Port Melbourne Colts Josh Caddy. Picture : George Sal

Inspired by the trust in coach Josh Caddy’s process and the insertion of ex-AFL livewire Harley Bennell, Port Melbourne Colt’s captain Justin Taylor said his side never lost belief.

The Colt’s trailed Southern league Division 1 reigning premier Cranbourne at every change on Saturday but it didn’t waver Taylor’s confidence in the hosts comeback.

The home side overturned a one goal three-quarter time deficit to run away 15.10 (100) to 15.7 (97) victors.

“I think it was bit by bit, they jumped us in that first quarter, and it was about sticking to our structure that Josh (Caddy) keeps talking about and eventually it will turn,” Taylor said.

“We think our best is good enough, we just have to play to our best – we were a little bit down early, but it was good to peg them back.

“I know we were losing at every break but we actually felt like we were getting closer and closer.

“We thought we had the majority of the play in the third quarter and they kicked a cluster of goals that put them in front.

“We felt the way we were going about it that we would get them.”

The Colts have bought into what new coach Josh Caddy is delivering. Picture : George Sal

While Caddy himself didn’t play, his former Gold Coast Suns teammate Harley Bennell made his Colts debut.

Bennell, 30, has been playing for Port Melbourne in the VFL and jumped at the chance to play for the Colts.

He booted two majors, was named in the best and gained the respect of Taylor.

“I didn’t know what to expect because sometimes you get AFL players back to local and they’re not fully bought in,” he said.

“But he bought in from the minute he walked in the door and got around the boys.

“To his credit, he was pretty hard around the footy as well, he had a really good day and he is definitely one of the reasons we got up for sure.”

Harley Bennell (right) with his Colts jumper.

The strong win proved to be an eight-point swing for the Colts, who now sit in fourth position on the ladder with a 4-2 record.

A loss would’ve seen the club 3-3 and outside the top six.

After the two grand finalists in as many weeks, as well as a difficult upcoming opponent, Taylor said the Colts have addressed the importance of this stretch of matches.

“We played Cheltenham last week, Cranbourne (this week) and then St Paul’s (McKinnon), so we knew this little run would set our season up,” he said.

“The next two is going to be important, St Paul’s is a great footy side, we have always had great games against them.

“If we can go there and get a win, we will place ourselves nicely after the first half of the year and load up for the second half.”

Taylor himself joined Bennell in the Colts’ best, as did Chris Deluca, David Kovacevic, Eren Soylemez and Jackson Williams.

Cheltenham, meanwhile, leapt to the top of the ladder with a commanding victory over Springvale Districts.

The Rosellas kicked eight goals to one in the first half to set up the 14.9 (93) to 8.7 (55) win.

Josh Fox booted four majors while Nicholas Burke was best afield.

Dingley also climbed up the ladder into second with a superb win over St Kilda City.

Zach Horsley’s Dingoes kicked 15 of the first 16 goals to secure the 18.16 (124) to 6.11 (47) victory.

Adam Peacock played a tagging role on decorated Saints rover Luke Potts and kept him to just six disposals.

St Paul’s McKinnon recorded its fourth triumph of the season with a 15.10 (100) to 9.9 (63) win over ChelseaHeights and Bentleigh won its first game of the year, 8.15 (63) to 4.11 (35) over Mordialloc.