Portarlington to face the unbeaten Newcomb in one of the matches of the round
It’s billed as one of the matches of the round, and further proof the natural order of things in the BFNL could be shaken up in 2025.
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It’s been billed as one of the matches of the round in the BFNL this weekend, in a sign that perhaps the order of things in the Bellarine is set to be shaken up a tad in 2025.
Portarlington takes on a 2-0 Newcomb side this Saturday which dispatched the reigning premiers in Round 2, even if the Tigers were undermanned.
But with a raft of new players through the door, and a 19-point win against Ocean Grove last round, the club itself has described the fixture as a “blockbuster”, as it chases back-to-back wins for the first time in 12 months.
It was in Round 1 last year where the Port – bolstered by new arrivals in Teia Miles, Connor Menadue and Jaryd Cachia – scored its first victory in nearly five years, downing the Power by 31 points.
Under new coach Darren Findlay, Port bounced back from a horror third term against Barwon Heads in the opening round — outscored 8.10 to one goal after the Demons led by two points at the main break.
Big man Scott Greenhough, who joined the Demons from Deer Park over the off-season, said his new side had to adjust to momentum shifts, understand the state of the game and play some tempo footy if required.
Fortunately, some of the younger Demons will have plenty of experienced heads to learn on.
“Being able to slow it down when it’s time to slow it down, and also knowing when to take it on,” Greenhough said.
“But that’s something we’ll have to learn going through the year.
“You can’t really learn without going through the bad times as well.
“Play a bit of possession footy, make them chase, make them defend.”
Greenhough is one of a wave of new players arriving at the Port during the off-season, with some boasting state league experience: Tom Panuccio, Jack Dorgan and Nick Sing.
Meanwhile, Nick Lane, Mitch Howard and Riley Hayden switched from Leopold.
Lane, whose 2023 GFNL season was curtailed by concussion, was judged the Demons’ best against the Seagulls while Greenhough was BOG against Ocean Grove, kicking two goals.
Greenhough said he loved connecting with Dorgan at a stoppage, with the pair playing in an under-18s premiership together at Hoppers Crossing.
“He just brings so much experience and skill to the team,” Greenhough said.
“When the ball’s in his hands, you just know it’s going to hit the target or kick a goal, he knows where to be in a stoppage.
“I love connecting up with him at a stoppage.
“To be honest, he makes me feel like we’re just kids playing footy and having fun out there.”
Leading the competition for marks with 26, Greenhough said Dorgan simply put himself in the right positions.
In fact, Dorgan, Sing, Lane and last season’s star recruit, Teia Miles, are in the league’s top six after two rounds,
Greenhough expected former AFL player Connor Menadue to be a strong option for the Demons forward of the ball with six majors against the Grubbers: “He’s so evasive, he can kick the ball so well, he’s just a beast, really.”
Youngsters Jesse Hunter, Jack Baldi and Harry Sedgmen had also taken Greenhough back to his younger days.
“They’re starting their senior career now, it’s good to be able to help guide them ... (show them) what it looks like to be a good senior player.”
Meanwhile, perennial contenders Torquay and Barwon Heads will do battle on Good Friday, as will Modewarre and the unbeaten Geelong Amateur.
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