VFL 2019: Trent McMicking steps in for an ill Gary Ayres as Port Melbourne defeats Box Hill Hawks
An ill Gary Ayres was unable to coach Port Melbourne against Box Hill Hawks, handing over to assistant Trent McMicking last Saturday.
Victorian Football
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There was a late and significant change to the Port Melbourne line-up on Saturday.
Out: Gary Ayres.
In: Trent McMicking.
With an infection flattening him like no opponent ever could, Ayres had to withdraw from his coaching duties, handing over the team to development coach McMicking for the crucial Round 3 clash with Box Hill Hawks at North Port Oval.
Ayres was laid up in a hospital in the eastern suburbs as Port ground out a 24-point win on playing surface that was gloriously green after a $2 million reconstruction project in the off-season.
The Borough peeled off the first four goals of the match and, in a mistake-filled affair, their lead was never threatened from there.
Port had no Ayres. The Hawks had no grace when it came to goalkicking, squandering a string of straightforward set-shots. They were 5.14 at three-quarter time.
McMicking said after the match that Ayres was placed on a drip last Thursday morning.
“Wednesday night at selection he didn’t eat all his dinner, which is unlike Gazz,’’ he said.
“He’s been pretty crook with an infection. He phoned me last Thursday and said he was no good and put in the plan for me to coach.
“It’s been a big couple of days. We let the team leaders know last Thursday night at training but we kept it pretty hush-hush. We let all the players know this morning and we got on with business and had a really good day. The assistant coaches (Shane Valenti, Robin Nahas and Sam Dwyer) were amazing. They did a heap of work to make sure we had everything ticked off in terms of the way we wanted to play, and we were able to put that in place.’’
McMicking, from Tarwin in South Gippsland, has been with Port Melbourne for six years.
He had been senior coach of Southern league club Highett, steering the Bulldogs to a premiership in 2011.
McMicking said it was a “bloody relief’’ to get the win.
The prospect of slipping to 0-3 was “a real worry’’.
Co-captain Tom O’Sullivan showed the way with 28 possessions and emerging pair Harvey Hooper and Callum Searle gave dash and drive off half back.
Hooper’s marking also caught the eye.
Tom “Junior’’ O’Sullivan did well with three goals and Ben Jolley was busy with 25 disposals.
Port had some injury worries after the match, with Pat Veszpremi (back, concussion), Shannen Lange (back tightness) and Dion Johnstone (head knock) unable to play out the last quarter.
Meanwhile Ayres was released from hospital on Sunday and is resting at home.
He is expected to return to the club for training on Wednesday, according to McMicking.
Port Melbourne 5.2, 6.8, 11.12, 12.17 (89)
Box Hill Hawks 1.5, 3.11, 5.14, 8.17 (65)
Port Melbouene: T. O’Sullivan 3, D. Conway 3, K. Haretuku 2, D. Johnstone 2, J. Lisle, A. Krakauer
Best: K. Haretuku, C. Searle, D. Johnstone, B. Jolley, T. O’’Sullivan, T. O’’Sullivan
Box Hill Hawks goals: T. Miles 2, J. Ross, N. Boucher, N. Mullenger-Mchugh, D. Moore, J. Ceglar, O. Hanrahan
Best: D. Mascitti, D. Greaves, O. Hanrahan, H. Jones, T. Miles, B. Kilpatrick
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