NORTH Ballarat Roosters coach Marc Greig believes Port Melbourne looked to impose its physical advantage on his charges with “cheap shots” early in Saturday night’s match at Eureka Stadium.
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The Borough won a tight Victorian Football League encounter by nine points, but were chasing early as the Roosters made the most of a strong breeze to jump to a four-goal lead at the first change.
Greig said the Port Melbourne players appeared to target his side behind play.
“They tried a certain tactic and it didn’t work for them,” Greig said.
“They tried to be super physical with our young blokes and intimidate us that way.
“Our footy did the talking in the first quarter to then stop them doing it.”
Such was the advantage to the scoreboard end, 23 of the night’s 29 goals were kicked at that end of the ground.
Port Melbourne trailed by 22 points at the final change, but booted seven majors to two in the last quarter to secure the result.
Greig declared it was the best performance of the year by his side, which was led by Luke Kiel off half back and recruit Matt Eagles, who kicked two goals as a key target in attack amidst stints in the ruck.
Eagles and fellow signing Daniel Cox both made their senior debuts for the Roosters on Saturday night.
Greig said the main injury concern was to key defender Angus Cleary, who was knocked unconscious in the first term.
North Ballarat now has the weekend off due to the VFL’s clash with the SANFL next Sunday.