SFNL: Port Melbourne Colts win finals-like contest after making mental adjustment
Port Melbourne Colts focused on an area it takes pride in leading into its finals-like clash with St Paul’s McKinnon, and it worked wonders.
Southern
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Port Melbourne Colts’ skipper Justin Taylor believes a week of his group focusing on why they play footy was a factor in the Colts’ monumental win on Saturday.
Leading into their clash with St Paul’s McKinnon, the Colts had lost its past two and fallen out of the Southern league Division 1 top five.
The Colts managed to collect the important four points, 11.10 (76) to 10.15 (75), and Taylor says it came from a gentle reminder to enjoy the moment.
“During the week the message was just to enjoy the game, enjoy footy again,” he said.
“In those games (previous losses) you lose track of what you’re actually playing for, we were getting upset, turning on each other in those games and it’s just not what we’re about – we’re a really tight group.
“It was reiterated during the week, ‘let’s not forget we have jobs, let’s not make this a place that we don’t want to come, we want to enjoy ourselves, remember why you’re playing’.
“Training was more like that, we did a few more things to just enjoy ourselves a bit more to set ourselves up for the week.”
While the focus was on enjoying footy again, the Colts were aware of how important the game was.
Taylor said coach Josh Caddy told the group to not focus on the end result as it will take a collection of small wins to clinch the eventual outcome.
“We knew how important how the game was but we didn’t want to get caught up in the end result,” he said.
“There’s many moments along the way in this game that will get us there that we don’t want to miss.
“Playing against St Paul’s, they’re just such a great outfit, and I reckon the last few times we have played them it’s all been under a goal.
“For us to go up against them for that fifth spot, for the moment anyway, was really good, the club loved it.
“We can’t afford to think that’s it, it’ll come down to the final round.”
Taylor himself was yet again one of the Colts’ best, named in the coaches votes for the 15th time this season.
Alongside him was Max Mitchell-Russell, Billie Smedts, Nathan Spinks, Ethan John Williams, and Dean Giles – who produced a game-saving spoil in the dying stages.
Kieran Knox, Austin Murphy, Nicholas Stathopoulos (four goals), James Sziller, Liam Purcell and Nicholas O’Donovan were the Dogs’ best.
Elsewhere, Springvale Districts edged Cranbourne out of the top three with a thrilling five-point victory.
The Demons, who went three goals clear at the 17-minute mark of the final term, survived a late scare as the Eagles kicked two-quick goals.
Luckily for Kris Thompson and his men, they had done enough to hold on to the 9.9 (63) to 7.16 (58) victory.
Daniel Helmore, who kicked the goal to put the Dees three goals up, was named best afield while Mason Russell, John Walker, Daniel Spence and Liam Hamilton were also solid.
Dillan Bass was the best for the Eagles, who now sit in fourth position on the ladder.
Cranbourne however could sling back into the top three with a reasonably lighter draw including Mordialloc and St Kilda City on the run home.
Dingley has moved to second on the ladder with another win, this week over Chelsea Heights.
The Dingoes were tested at times throughout the 13.10 (88) to 10.7 (67) victory, leading by just two points at the final change, but ultimately kicked clear in the fourth quarter.
Lachie Benton kicked two and was instrumental for the Dingoes while Luke Clark’s three goals for the Demons saw him among the home side’s best.
Bentleigh escaped the jaws of defeat in a thrilling final term against St Kilda City.
Straight kicking kept the Saints in the game before the Dees finally went ahead in the last to win 7.12 (54) to 7.6 (48).
The win pushes Bentleigh above Chelsea Heights and only percentage behind Mordialloc.
Cheltenham, meanwhile, held Mordialloc goalless in a clinical performance at Ben Kavanagh Reserve.
The Rosellas kicked 17 majors to the Bloodhounds’ nil across the four quarters, 17.16 (118) to 0.6 (6).
Josh Fox kicked four while Finn Ryan kicked three.
The Rosellas have now won 15 matches in a row.
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