Demons energised from hot start to 2024

PORTARLINGTON Football Netball Club is seeking its third consecutive win tomorrow afternoon when it faces Geelong Amateur at Queens Park Reserve.

Demons head coach Warren Finlayson says his sides’ gameplan is finally coming into effect after over a year, crediting an aggressive brand of team football and the club’s offseason recruits to Portarlington’s 2-0 start.

“I’ve been really impressed by our work rate around the ball and the contested ball as well. We’ve really increased our commitment to addressing that and it’s led to us generating more scoring opportunities,” Finlayson said.

“Those two facts have played a major role in our first two weeks and we’re eager to continue that moving forward.”

The Demons have ended two extensive droughts in consecutive weeks.

Portarlington ended its 68-game losing streak dating back to 2018 in Round 1 against Newcomb, before defeating Ocean Grove in Round 2 on Saturday, beating the Grubbers for the first time in 30 years.

The club will meet fellow 2-0 side Geelong Amateur away in Round 3, a team that defeated Portarlington by 164 combined points from two contests in 2023.

“Last year they ran us hard off half-back effectively, so we’ll look to prevent a little bit of that ball use, but with their additions they’ve generated a little bit more speed and skill around the footy,” Finlayson said.

“We just really need to be on our game and limit easy access to the forward half of the ground.”

Teia Miles has also been a standout for Portarlington through two games.

One of the team’s marquee recruits for 2024 alongside Connor Menadue and Jarryd Cachia, Miles has kicked 10 goals in eight quarters of action, providing a key option in the forward line for Finlayson.

Miles also ties Newcomb’s Jack Duke at the top of the Bellarine Football League goal-kicking ladder.

“I think we’ve just gotten a bit of belief [that] what we’re working on is coming to fruition,” Finlayson said.

“We’re believing in the structures and the processes we’ve had in place for a long time, and the guys we’ve brought into the club, including the young guys, have seen if we can get our gameplan right, we can win games too.”

Portarlington and Geelong Amateur meet on Saturday at 2.10pm.