Portland defeated Koroit to end 33-game losing streak

Portland broke through for its first win in 34 games on Saturday. And it was a performance which had heroes of yesteryear stunned by the ferociousness. Here’s how it played out.

Portland ended its 33-game winless streak on Saturday against Koroit. Picture: Portland Football Netball Club.

Portland is not getting ahead of itself despite some club members describing their drought breaking win as some of the best footy they’ve seen in years.

The Tigers ended their 33-game Hampden league losing streak with an impressive 53-point win over Koroit.

The contest was over at quarter-time as the Tigers sent a statement to a team who has made the finals every season for more than a decade and a half.

Portland kicked six goals five to one goal to lead by 35 points, which set up the rest of the match.

Despite Koroit making a comeback in the second term, the third term blew the game open as Portland led by 58 points at the last break.

“Half way through the last quarter someone said have we got the song ready,” Portland president Andrew Neve said.

“I said s*** I better run up there and make sure they got that and get the dust off it after 33 weeks.

“The bar manager said don’t worry it’s all done, we tested it yesterday.

“We played it twice.”

The scenes resembled a finals win according to Neve.

“We couldn’t squeeze everyone in there after the game to sing the song,” he said.

“We had a few celebration drinks on Saturday night. But the boys got to recovery on Sunday and are now focusing on Terang Mortlake.”

Daniel Jackson playing for North Cairns last year. He’s returned to Portland this year. Photo: Gyan-Reece Rocha

Neve knew the side improved after signing almost a dozen players in the off-season but was surprised how quickly it came together.

Portland recruited its former players, including Daniel Jackson, and others, who had gone elsewhere.

“From the first bounce we thought it might take a while to gel together,” Neve said.

“It didn’t take long. We hit them hard and it was a bit of a wake up call for other sides we won’t be the cellar dwellers we were in previous years.”

The intent was also there.

Portland laid 100 tackles during the contest with supporters around the ground in awe of what they were seeing.

“A few of the old people at the club have never seen a quarter like that for years,” Neve said.

“Blokes I played with before hand were coming up to me saying they’ve never seen a quarter so fierce.”

Jake Wilson kicked five goals with ex-AFL player Jeff Garlett kicking four.

He’s locked in for six games but Neve is already looking at getting him for longer.

“At this stage he’s going to play the first six games for us but we want to build on that,” he said.

“He played his role and made our players stand up as well with him being in the side.”

Neve said the focus was on beating Terang Mortlake this week to setup a chance of going 3-0 against Hamilton for the traditional Anzac Day clash.

Originally published as Portland defeated Koroit to end 33-game losing streak