While Portarlington supporters can dare to dream this season, you won’t find coach Darren Findlay mentioning the ‘F’ word.
The Demons have been Bellarine Football League cellar dwellers for a long time, but after an improved 2024 and two impressive wins so far this season, perhaps the finals drought may be about to break.
“I’ve coached for a long time and no,” Findlay said when asked if his rejuvenated club had an eye on finals footy.
“I know it’s going to sound really straight, but it’s just week by week with me. I don’t get too far in front so I’ll try to get the whole group pretty balanced out actually.”
Port was impressive at times in a round 1 loss to Barwon Heads and then defeated Ocean Grove in round 2 and put together a stunning win against fellow improvers Newcomb on Saturday, 22.5(137) to 15.10(100).
The Demons kicked nine goals straight in the second term while Newcomb kicked five straight.
Findlay said his side’s accuracy in front of goal took him by surprise.
“I’ll be serious, I don’t know where that came from,” he said.
“The first week we were pretty ordinary against Barwon Heads in front of goal and we missed some really easy ones (against Ocean Grove). But on Saturday, we clicked into gear.
“It was refreshing actually to get some scoreboard pressure on. You can have pressure around the ball and all that stuff, but to really hit the scoreboard that’s an important thing.”
The Demons had multiple avenues to goal on the weekend. Former AFL players Teia Miles (five goals) and Connor Menadue (four) caused headaches for Newcomb’s defence while Mitch Turnbull kicked four and Jack Dorgan three.
Findlay said he got a sense before half time that his team might run the game out well.
“They (Newcomb) ran really hard that first quarter and I could just see them tiring that little bit the last four or five minutes of that first quarter,” he said.
“I thought they looked a little bit tired. That was my assumption from it and I thought they couldn’t go at that pace all day. So it was in the back of my mind, I was thinking most probably our legs and our young kids, if we’re in the hunt up to three-quarter time we could potentially run over them.”
The Demons now turn their attention to their traditional Anzac Day clash against Drysdale. It’s been quite a while since they have beaten their neighbours.
“I’m fully aware of where everything sits at the moment so it’ll be a good challenge for us,” Findlay said.
“I think we’re ready for it. Three things are going to happen. We’re going to win, lose or draw. So we’ll see how we go.
“We’ve got to keep doing what we’re doing. I’m not worried about anyone else.”
TORQUAY showed the first two rounds were not the norm with a 73-point thumping of Barwon Heads on Good Friday. Banjo Dyer booted eight goals and Matt Boag five as the Tigers took control after half time.
GEELONG Amateur remained unbeaten with a 39-point win against Modewarre. Sam Lloyd kicked four for Ammos.
ANGLESEA defeated Ocean Grove by 50 points with Lachlan Smith (four goals) best afield while Josh Lange (three goals) was best for the Grubbers.
QUEENSCLIFF got onto the winner’s list with a one-point triumph against Drysdale with midfielder Che Durran starring.
