So bring your friends and family to the Buffalo Gap this Friday and join us for what promises to be a fun evening celebrating Australia’s national holiday. We hope to see you there!

Proceeds from the night will be used for the Steelheads’ upcoming trip to the USAFL Nationals Tournament this October 10th and 11th in Austin, Texas. Last year was the club’s first time fielding a full team at the tournament, and saw the team capture their first win there as well. This year the Steelheads are entering the tournament in top form and have been promoted to a higher division. So support Portland’s team; bring your friends and family to enjoy a great night and what promises to be a great game between the Geelong Cats and the reigning premiers, the Collingwood Magpies.

Tickets to the party can be purchased online by clicking on the Add to Cart button below.

We hope to see you there!

FANS – this is your last chance to see some Aussie Rules Football this season,
don’t miss out.

PLAYERS – Please arrive at 3:30 pm for a 4 pm start. Let us know your
availablility by replying to the facebook invite (https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=163916417025146)
or by emailing coaching@portlandfooty.com.

We will be heading to the Buffalo Gap on Macadam avenue afterwards to present
the Best and Fairest player award for the game.

Despite having more of the ball in the first quarter, the Power could only pull out a two-point lead. The primary stars of the game shone from the first quarter, as the Naturals’ Martin “Marto” Coventry and the Power’s Pete Mercouriou drove their respective sides from the midfield.

With the Portland summer heat becoming a factor combined with the full-size field and 12-a-side lineups, it was decided by the captains and umpire after the first quarter to shorten up to 15-minute quarters. Even with a shorter game, the action continued, as the Power’s Kyle Easton and Peter “Pele” Blundell continued with goals and Coventry and Jason Snider scored for the Naturals. The Naturals had a greater share of the ball in the second quarter, but the contest remained a two-point game at halftime.

Into the second half, conditioning became a problem for both sides. 80-plus degree temperatures plus the large Northgate park field and small teams added up to weary legs. The Naturals were growing in stature throughout, earning even more of the ball in the third quarter as Coventry and Nathan Weinstock made their presence felt in the midfield, Matt Varner continued to grow as a player taking marks and improving in the forward line, and Jason Snider continued to kick goals. The Power remained resolute, though — Blundell and Mercouriou pushed their team forward, Tyler Cox did excellent to contain Coventry and ruckman Rylan Phillips continued to win contests and take marks in the midfield. At the end of three quarters, the Power still retained a two-point lead.

The wheels fell off for the Power in the fourth, though. The Power were held scoreless in the quarter while the Naturals fired nine shots on target, resulting in four goals and five behinds to seal the win by 27 points. Coventry dominated the midfield in the final quarter, and the stout Power backline succumbed to the pressure.

As the second half of the PAFL season begins it will be hard to catch Will Sandman and Martin Coventry’s Naturals squad, who have only lost once all season and top the table. The Power will hope to bounce back in the next PAFL Metro game on July 24 when they meet the Brewers once more.

1st Quarter – Naturals 2.2.14 v Power 2.4.16
2nd Quarter – Naturals 5.3.33 v Power 5.5.35
3rd Quarter – Naturals 7.4.46 v Power 7.6.48
Final – Naturals 11.9.75 v Power 7.6.48

Naturals Goals

Jason Snider 4, Martin Coventry 3, James Beggs 1, Benjamin Ratcliff 1, Matt Varner 1, Nathan Weinstock 1

Power Goals

Peter Blundell 3, Kyle Easton 2, Doug Bonham 1, Pete Mercouriou 1

Naturals Best on Ground

Martin Coventry, Matt Varner, Jason Snider, Nathan Weinstock, Lamar Adams

Power Best on Ground

Peter Mercouriou, Peter “Pele” Blundell, Kyle Easton, Rylan Phillips, Tyler Cox

Table:
Naturals 3-1
Brewers 2-1
Power 1-4

The first game featured the two visiting teams, Golden Gate and Seattle, and was a fast and physical affair. The run of play alternated between the two sides throughout the game. Seattle came hard out of the gate and won the first half, keeping Golden Gate off of the scoreboard while kicking several goals. The Roos battled back in the second half and generated some chances, but ultimately they were unable to make the most of their opportunities and kick a goal. The final score was Seattle 6.2.38 defeating Golden Gate 0.2.2.

The next game saw the hometown Steelheads facing the rival Grizzlies in a hard-fought match with both sides repeatedly swapping goals. Inspired to defend their home field, the Steelheads kicked the first goal of the game and came out of the first half on top of the scoreboard. Despite the Grizzlies’ best efforts, the Steelheads were able to hold onto the lead throughout the second half and win the game 4.2.26 to Seattle’s 3.1.19. The victory was especially sweet for the Steelheads, who had gone three longs years without a win against the Grizzlies.

The third game of the day was another grueling battle between Portland and Golden Gate. The Roos, fired up to avenge their prior defeat, came out of the first half up two goals. The Steelheads were able to create some scoring chances, but couldn’t seem to capitalize on them. The score remained tight well into the 2nd half, but the Roos put the game away by kicking a pair of goals to make the final score
Portland 0.3.3 to Golden Gate 4.4.28.

Amidst a number of standout performances by individual players from all three clubs, Golden Gate’s Mark “Yogi” Beare was awarded the trophy for Best and Fairest. With each team having won once and lost once, the Seattle Grizzlies were crowned the Stumptown Throwdown Champions by virtue of the percentages.

The Portland Steelheads would like to thank Seattle and Golden Gate for making the trip to Portland. It was a great day of footy for everyone involved, and the Steelheads look forward to hosting the Stumptown Throwdown in future years.

The Throwdown will take place at Northgate Park from 10:00am-6:30pm. Each team will face each other once, with a 4th game at the end of the day for anyone left wanting to play. Following the awards presentation, the festivities will continue at The Buffalo Gap starting at 7:00pm, where the visiting teams will be introduced to Portland’s many microbrews. The schedule for the day is:

10:00 – Teams and vendors arrive at Northgate Park

11:00-11:50 – Game 1: Seattle vs Golden Gate

12:30-1:20 – Game 2: Portland vs Seattle

2:00-2:50 – Game 3: Portland vs Golden Gate

3:30-4:20 – Game 4: All Comers Game

5:00 – Award Presentations at Northgate Park

7:00 – Celebrations commence at the Buffalo Gap

The forecast is for a beautiful, warm, sunny day, and it should be a great day for spectators to cheer on the hometown Steelheads as they take the field. The action on the field will be riveting no matter your level of familiarity with the sport. Concessions will be available at the field, and will benefit the club.

The map below shows Northgate Park:

View Larger Map

Right from the get-go, the Brewers jumped ahead. Though it was another hard-fought match with plenty of offense for both sides, the Brewers got the goals in the first quarter, kicking 4.1 for 25 points compared to just five behinds for 5 points for the Power. The goals continued in the second quarter, as the Brewers and Power each put two goals on the board and the score ended 6.4 40 to 2.6 18. The goals were only coming from a small group of players on Sunday — the Brewers’ forward Kyle Easton and rover Nathan Weinstock, and the Powers’ captain Peter “Pele” Blundell and forward Scott “Mitts” Hager, returning to Portland for the first time since last year’s PAFL Metro Grand Final.

The Power dominated in the third quarter, holding the Brewers to just two points in the period while kicking 2.3 of their own. The Power were driven from the back, as Jason and Brandon Snider controlled the ball from the back-line and rover Jacob Gawlista, Blundell and Hager became influential in the forward area. The fight back made it anyone’s game after three quarters, with the Brewers clinging on to just a three-point lead and the Power ready to battle.

However, luck was not with the Power as the Brewers replied to the third-quarter blitz right as the final period started. The Brewers had eight more kicks on goal, scoring 4.4 for the period and putting the game away. Blundell and Hager each got their third goal of the game for the Power but it wasn’t enough; the Brewers’ defense was stout enough to thwart the Powers’ final advances. Brewers midfielders Weinstock and captain James Begg continued to control possession in the fourth quarter, battling in the middle with the Powers’ Gawlista and Ben Hargrave.

The loss drops the Power back to the basement of the PAFL with a 1-3 record. The Brewers and Naturals will meet in the next PAFL Metro game on Sunday, June 19 to break the deadlock at the top of the table. After the next Metro comes the Portland Steelheads’ invitational tournament on Saturday, June 25, including the Steelheads, the Seattle Grizzlies, and Golden Gate from San Francisco. This will be the first test of the Steelheads’ combined squad drawing from the Brewers, Naturals and Power, and promises to be a great day for footy in Portland.

1st Quarter: Brewers 4.1.25 v Power 0.5.5
2nd Quarter: Brewers 6.4.40 v Power 2.6.18
3rd Quarter: Brewers 6.6.42 v Power 4.9.33
Final: Brewers 10.10.70 v Power 6.9.45

Brewers Goals:

Kyle Easton 4, Nathan Weinstock 4, Martin Coventry 1, Jared Klingsporn 1.

Brewers Best on Ground:

Nathan Weinstock, Kyle Easton, James Begg, Martin Coventry

Power Goals:

Peter Blundell 3, Scott Hager 3

Power Best on Ground:

Peter Blundell, Jacob Gawlista, Ben Hargrave, Brandon Snider

Table:
Naturals 2-1
Brewers 2-1
Power 1-3

On a slightly damp Sunday at Northgate Park, the game started out incredibly close. For the first time this season, Northgate Park was a slippery and slightly muddy field thanks to weekend rains. Also for the first time as well, the two squads were full to the brim, with 18-a-side play throughout.

With the grand stage set, the sun was shining for the opening bounce and it led to a tightly contested first quarter. The footy bounced from one end of the pitch to the other, but the score at the end of 20 minutes was just 8-1 in favor of the Naturals. Stout defense and denial of opportunities led to the low score.

The close contest continued through to the end of the first half, but at least the scoreboard finally saw more goals. After putting one on the board in the first quarter for the Naturals, “Robbo” Robertson got a second. The Power added to the meager behind after one quarter behind Hooper, playing at center-half forward and working with a forward line that began to manufacture opportunities on goal. The half ended 18-17 and was anybody’s game.

The Power began to swell in confidence in a 26-point third quarter. Power ruckman Rylan Phillips scored his first two Aussie Rules goals, and Power captain Peter “Pele” Blundell matched those with two of his own. Crucially, the Naturals were shut out in the quarter, allowing the Power to stretch out a 43-18 lead that they would not relinquish.

That third quarter proved crucial, as the fourth was won 15-14 by the Naturals. Martin Coventry and Aaron Winkler got on the board for the Natties, while Power forwards Doug Bonham and Kyle Easton scored at the other end. The Power finished the 57-43 victory strong, withstanding late pressure to hold the lead for the victory.

Included in the full squads was a pair of first-game players, Lamar and Chris, and a pair of players down from the Seattle Grizzlies, Aaron Winkler and Dan Choate. Lamar and Chris established themselves throughout the game, with Lamar impressing as Naturals star Martin Coventry’s favorite mark target. Choate and Winkler were also impressive for the Natties, and Chris was solid for the Power as well. However, a tackle gone awry left Lamar out injured in the third quarter.

Another impressive cameo was made by Sean-Paul Henry, who has experience with Gaelic football as well as with Aussie Rules. He left his mark on the game in the second half, helping drive play from the Power half-back line. The other key players for the Power were Lance Brooks, who was crucial in attack all game; Ben Hargrave, a rookie who is developing into a solid defender; and Jacob “Kouta” Gawlista, who was always around the ball. Four different players scored goals in the forward line for the Power.

The Naturals fought throughout but came up short in the attacking third. Portland AFL stalwarts Martin Coventry and Will Sandman were their usual key selves, Sandman helping win the ball in midfield and Coventry seemingly everywhere. Lamar also left a huge impact in his first game, playing on the wing and taking many marks from Coventry. Robertson was also key in the middle for the Natties in the first half before flipping jumpers and playing the second half for the Power.

The next PAFL game is on June 5, when the Power hopes to build on its success in a rematch against the Brewers.

Power: 8.9 57
Naturals: 4.9 33

Power goals:
Peter Blundell 2
Mitch “Carl” Hooper 2
Rylan Phillips 2
Doug Bonham 1
Kyle Easton 1

Power Best on Ground: Sean-Paul Henry, Lance Brooks, Ben Hargrave, Jacob Gawlista

Naturals goals:
Michael “Robbo” Robertson 2
Martin Coventry 1
Aaron Winkler 1

Naturals Best on Ground: Martin Coventry, Will Sandman, Lamar Adams, Michael “Robbo” Robertson

Table:
Naturals 2-1
Brewers 1-1
Power 1-2

Some new faces were tested out in the middle with Rylan, Kerry, Jerad and Jake for the Naturals taking on Benjamin “Jamma” Ratcliff, Ben Hargrave , Greeny and James “Beggsy” Begg for the Brewers. Usual on ballers Martin Coventry (Naturals) and Nathan “Bottles” Weinstock (Brewers) were playing loose on the wing. Brewer Kyle Easton had been dominating down forward in the first two games and to combat that the Naturals tested out Peter “Pele” Blundell at full forward. The Naturals line up changes paid off immediately with the mid fielders getting the ball out quickly and straight down Pele’s throat for two early goals. Danger man Kyle was being well held at the other end with John Gawlista hot on his tail and Scott Johnson floating into the contest with his usual impeccable timing. After running himself silling in the wide expanses of the field Martin switched with Pele down forward and chalked up 3 goals for his trouble. The Naturals had taken full advantage of the scoring end to finish the first quarter with a handy lead.

1st Quarter – Naturals 5.3.33 v Brewers 0.0.00

After a nice tongue lashing at quarter time from coach Beggsy, the Brewers came out very determined in the second quarter. They started to get a run on and got the ball forward on many occasions. Coach Begg lead the way with a goal for the Brewers. A few opportunities were wasted under the defensive pressure from the Naturals. Nothing was coming easy for the league leading goal scorer Kyle as he sprayed a set shot he would normally have snagged. The Brewers defense got on top at the other end as well. The Brewers mid-field was slowing down and the master plan of Pele down forward shifted as Kerry had a rest and Pele did the grunt work. The Brewers had dominated most of the play, but had made little inroads on the scoreboard. The Naturals scored a lucky goal in the dying minutes of the half through Martin as he kicked blindly under pressure and it wobbled through.

2nd Quarter – Naturals 6.5.41 v Brewers 1.2.8

The intense pressure from the Brewers continued in the third quarter. Players from both teams were battling hard Some fantastic contests had developed with Mitch “Carl” Hooper presenting time and again at center half forward and Sam Hargrave hot on his tail at all times. Sam had great judgement of the ball in the air and snavelled it up anytime the ball was long, when his kicking improves he will be much more damaging (lucky he has one of those new footies to practice). When the ball was in front Mitch got hold of it and took off. The Brewers hit the scoreboard through Nick Wirth who had a great scrap with Chris Snider all day. Chris had made some great runs out of defense, but Nick always seems to bob up with a goal. Big Dougy Bonham had been playing hard all day and snagged his first goal of the year for the Brewers. The Naturals scored one goal against the flow of play through Martin running off the wing. The Brewers won the quarter.

3rd Quarter – Naturals 8.6.54 v Brewers 3.4.22

The warm weather and big field was wearing on the players, but they were asked to dig deep for the final 20 minutes. Coach Beggs could be heard loudly proclaiming “We can still win this!”, the Naturals were asked to leave it all out there. Having run the Boston Marathon a week earlier Greeny appeared fresh as a daisy as he lined up on the wing opposite Martin, who was on his last legs. Greeny kept getting loose out wide and Martin was unable to track him down. The Brewers took advantage with a goal from Beggsy. Adam Foxe, the youngest player on the field at 14, was excellent all day against his older opponent Lionel, who was having a real dip in his first game. Adam was the focal point of several forward thrusts for the Naturals, taking some big marks. Kerry had had a nice breather down forward and starting bobbing up in every contest finishing with two goals. Jerad Klingsporn had been busting through the middle all day and dobbed another goal for the Naturals. Mitch was rewarded for all his hard work with a goal of his own. The Naturals ran away with it in the end, but it was a fantastic contest all day. Thanks to all the players, umps and fans for a great day of footy.

Final Score – Naturals 12.11.83 v 4.6.30