IN a big week for the Hampden Football Netball League, as the competition celebrated Indigenous round for the first time, Portland managed to outlast rivals Hamilton, 12.12 (84) to 11.11 (77).

It was a see-sawing battle at Hanlon Park with Portland kicking out to a 10-point quarter time lead before the visitors responded with a four goals to one term to go into the main break ahead by eight points.

The home side rallied and held off a fast-finishing Kangaroos team to claim the win.

Once again the Tigers were heavily reliant on Tom Sharp, who booted five of the side’s 12 goals, with Lochie Huppatz the only other multiple goal scorer with two, while captain Daniel Jackson continued his stellar season with yet another best on ground performance.

Hamilton had to head home from Hanlon Park disappointed to not have finished off what would’ve been a stirring come-from-behind win.

Kangaroos coach, Hamish Waldron said he was impressed with his side’s first half, which had them heading into the main break in the lead.

“I thought we started off pretty well, our pressure was outstanding,” he said.

“We take it as a positive that we managed to stay even for a good stretch of the game, against such a quality side.”

He added that the late game effort from his side to bring the game almost all the way back was something for them take as inspiration towards the back-end of the season.

“To my boys’ credit, a couple times Portland got away from us a little bit, but we pulled it back in, it was good they showed some character,” he said.

“We had plenty of opportunities in that final quarter to win the game, just unlucky not to take advantage.”

Hamish Cook, Darcy Russell and Luke Uebergang booted three goals each for the Kangaroos, while Charles Murrie and Luke Barnes were named best.

As the Roos fight to stay in finals contention – still just one win behind fifth-placed Warrnambool – their coach said he’s confident there are areas the side can work on to give them an extra edge and push them into the top five.

“I thought when Portland did put us under pressure, we turned it over in dangerous spots which is never ideal,” he said.

“But I know that our best footy is good enough to match with the best in the competition, we’ve just got to sustain it and play for longer.

“Once we can get four quarters of that I think, we’ll be a pretty handy side, it just doesn’t happen overnight.”

Reserves

THE Hamilton Kangaroos suffered their fifth loss of the Hampden Football Netball League season, going down to Portland by 33 points at Hanlon Park on Saturday.

The two teams were evenly matched in the opening term, although the Tigers’ inaccuracy kept the Kangaroos in it, kicking 1.5 to trail by one point at the first break.

A five-goal second term saw the Kangaroos open a handy margin, leading by 17 points at half time.

Portland started to close the deficit in the third term, kicking four goals to two, as the Kangaroos’ lead was slashed to just three points at the final break.

A seven-goal to one final term saw the Tigers grab the lead and the eventual win, 14.11 (95) to 102 (62).

Jordy Anthony was once again the main target up forward for the Kangaroos, kicking five majors to continue his impressive season.

Allan Martin was the Kangaroos’ best.

Under-18.5

THE Kangaroos started the day with a win in the Under-18.5 clash, outlasting the Tigers to win by 15 points.

It was a tight contested battle with scoring tough throughout the contest, but a four-goal third term proved to be the difference, helping the visitors to an 8.5 (53) to 5.8 (38) victory.

William Hunter kicked five goals for the Kangaroos in a best on ground performance for the team.