Injuries to many of its star recruits crippled Port Melbourne’s hopes of a successful 150th birthday party, with a 0-5 start ending the Borough’s finals hopes before they got going.
BY THE NUMBERS
Position: 16th
W-L-D (%): 6-12 (92.8%)
Players used: 44
Played every match: 4 – Billy Gowers, Tom Highmore, Tom Hird, Jimmy Miller
Ex-AFL players: 11 (136 matches)
Debutants: 8 – Sam Allen, Guy Barnes, Lucas Conlan, Kai Dimattina, Sam Green, Owen Mulady, Zach Walter, Tobe Watson
STAR PERFORMERS
Best and Fairest: 1st: Billy Gowers (205 votes), 2nd: Tom Highmore (202), 3rd: Jimmy Miller (191), 4th: Tom Hird (165), 5th: Fraser Rosman (163)
J.J. Liston Trophy: Billy Gowers (16 votes), Harvey Hooper (15), Felix Flockart (6)
Coaches MVP Award: Billy Gowers (50 votes), Harvey Hooper (40), Tom Highmore (23), Jimmy Miller (22), Josh Green (11), Tom Hird (11), Fraser Rosman (11)
Leading Goalkickers: Billy Gowers (50 goals, Frosty Miller Medal winner), Archi Manton (21), Jimmy Miller (20), Matt Signorello (15), Kyle Viccars (11)
Smithy’s VFL Team of the Year: Billy Gowers (full forward), Tom Highmore (back pocket)
STAT LEADERS
(Averages – Minimum 6 matches)
Disposals: Harvey Hooper 25.8, Robbie McComb 21.7, Josh Green 21.5, Tom Hird 19.8, Lachie Rankin 19.3
Contested possessions: Harvey Hooper 15.2 (3rd), Josh Green 13.8, Robbie McComb 11.5, Jimmy Miller 9.8, Felix Flockart 9.0
Kicks: Harvey Hooper 17.0, Lachie Rankin 14.6, Tom Hird 14.5, Tom Highmore 13.3, Fraser Rosman 13.2
Handballs: Josh Green 13.2, Robbie McComb 10.3, Cam Wild 9.0, Harvey Hooper 8.8, Rourke Smith 7.1
Marks: Tom Highmore 7.8, Fraser Rosman 5.1, Matt Signorello 4.6, Harry Stubbings 4.4, Lachie Rankin 4.0
Tackles: Harvey Hooper 5.8, Owen Mulady 5.1, Cam Wild 4.4, Mitch Moschetti 3.9, Robbie McComb 3.7
Hitouts: Felix Flockart 21.2, Jimmy Miller 18.1, Harry Maguire 0.7, Archi Manton 0.2, Matt Gahan 0.1, Billy Gowers 0.1
Clearances: Harvey Hooper 7.5 (7th), Josh Green 6.8, Robbie McComb 5.6, Jimmy Miller 3.3, Rourke Smith 3.2
Inside-50s: Harvey Hooper 6.2 (2nd), Billy Gowers 3.7, Jimmy Miller 3.3, Mitch Moschetti 3.0, Cody Henness 3.0, Anthony Anastasio 3.0
Rebound-50s: Lachie Rankin 5.3, Fraser Rosman 4.9, Tom Highmore 4.8, Tom Hird 4.3, Matt Gahan 3.8
What went right: Luring Billy Gowers back from local footy was a masterstroke. He provided a regular spark and showed he has lost none of his ability as he booted 50 majors to win the Frosty Miller Medal and make the Team of the Year. Tom Highmore was just as impressive at the other end of the field, also earning Team of the Year selection with his intercepting ability. Jimmy Miller provided great leadership and Felix Flockart benefited from that with a strong year. Wins over finalists Williamstown (by 10 goals), Geelong and Box Hill Hawks and pushing Footscray to the brink showed what they capable of when it all came together.
What went wrong: Serious injuries to many of their star recruits crippled the Borough’s hopes of a successful 150th birthday party. Gun skipper Harvey Hooper still ranked in the VFL’s top seven for inside-50s, contested possessions and clearances but missed five weeks after his 100th game, while none of Robbie McComb, Dan McKenzie, Roarke Smith, Sam Philip, Kye Turner, Guy Barnes or Owen Mulady managed more than 11 games. Josh Green and Anthony Anastasio also missed chunks of footy. Port also had an issue closing out games, having strong leads run down by the Gold Coast Suns, GWS Giants, Coburg and Casey Demons.
Summary: So much went wrong in Port Melbourne’s landmark 150th year, with five consecutive losses off the top rendering the Borough’s finals hopes over before they got going. But there were enough signs there for a watching James Hird to get the bug back and in the Essendon great and new coach Brendan McCartney they have two of the smartest minds in the VFL coaching sphere in the same box in 2025. If they can retain most of their squad, add a bit more consistency, particularly in attack where they have multiple scoring options, and top up the list, there is every reason to suggest the finals drought could be about to end.
Grade: 4/10