Southern league: Port Melbourne Colts too good for Oakleigh District

Port Melbourne Colts great Jason Clarke admitted he ‘teared up’ ahead of his son Charlie’s senior debut for the Southern club.

Port Melbourne Colts star Kwane McHarg on the burst against Oakleigh District.

A “dynamite’’ performance from prize recruit Kwame McHarg, a 10-goal bag for the returning Jase Perkins and the appearance of the son of a club great made for a rollicking start to the season for Port Melbourne Colts.

The Colts swept to a 108-point victory over Oakleigh District on Good Friday at Murphy Reserve when the clubs opened the Division 1 season in the Southern league.

The Oaks were competitive early but the home team blitzed them in the second half with 16 goals to three.

McHarg, recruited as a seven-time premiership player from the Western Region, had more than 40 possessions, and new coach Graeme Yeats knows he has an exciting player in his team.

Port Colts coach Grame Yeats at the huddle. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“He was really busy, won a lot of the footy, on the inside and the outside, just dominant around the ball, really creative, he just finds space,’’ Yeats said.

“He’s just dynamite, really explosive. He gets on the outside and he’s away.’’

Perkins, back from Deer Park, kicked 10 goals.

“He got a lot of looks, put it that way. We would have had 100 inside 50s,’’ Yeats said.

“He’ll get better too, because he hasn’t really done a pre-season.’’

Port Melbourne Colts also unveiled their former Collingwood and North Melbourne player Marley Williams, who played at half forward and on the ball.

Tyler Jones gets away a handball for Port Colts. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Yeats said Williams was keen to try some other positions this year.

The coach thought Matt Sondergeld was outstanding for Colts in the first half, when the match was taking shape. He said other players came to the fore after it had been broken open.

“When it was in the balance, Matty did the in-and-under stuff when we needed someone to get us going,’’ Yeats said.

The winning team also featured first-gamer Charlie Clarke, the son of club legend Jason, who is serving as an assistant coach this year.

He presented Charlie with his senior jumper before the match and watched proudly as the 17-year-old ran back with the flight to take a mark and kick the Colts’ first goal.

He finished with two goals in his forward role.

Jason and Charlie Clarke before the game.

Yeats said it was a tremendous moment when Clarke senior and junior came together in what he thought was a “passing of the baton’’.

Jason Clarke admitted he was a bit teary.

“Obviously me playing at and coaching the club over many years, to have my son playing his first senior game at 17 was pretty good, and to see him kick the first goal was even better,’’ he said.

“I got a bit emotional. I’m an emotional guy. Yeah, I teared up. Look, he deserved it. He was quite determined to make it into the seniors and he trained hard, doing the extras. Pretty pleasing for him.’’

Charlie, who was involved in the St Kilda Next Generation Academy and is an apprentice carpenter, is still eligible for the Under 17s.

His father counts as one of the Colts’ most decorated players, having played in three senior premierships and won five goalkicking awards in the Western Region league. He also claimed a competition best and fairest medal.

Brad Sutcliffe takes a kick for Colts. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Ruckman Hamish Hosking and Dylan Humphries also played their first games for Port Colts.

Humphries walked in off the street about six weeks ago asking for a game.

“He’s a nuggety little back pocket and hes’ good,’’ Yeats said.

The Colts have another Friday game this week, when they visit St Kilda City in a much-anticipated match at the Peanut Farm.

Former Collingwood champion Dane Swan will make his debut for City.