Josh Porter was a commanding presence inside the forward 50 for Werribee in a nail-biting one-point win over Essendon in the Victorian Football League at Avalon Airport Oval on Saturday.
Porter reeled in a number of strong pack marks in clutch situations and finished with five goals to be the dominant key forward on the ground – and arguably the difference between the two sides in a game that went down to the wire.
Porter, who returned to Werribee after a year in the VFL wilderness splitting time with Wangaratta Magpies in the Ovens and Murray Football League and a study placement with East Carolina University in the United States, preferred to deflect from his individual dominance to the team’s most memorable win of the year.
“The team perspective is what it’s all about, so I’m just glad I could contribute to that,” he said.
“It was a great game, a pretty even contest throughout the four quarters, and we were lucky enough to get over the line.
“I can’t remember playing in a game going goal for goal, or pretty close to it, like that game, so it was good to come out with the win.”
When pressed, Porter did elaborate further on his strong recent form that has seen him kick multiple goals in four consecutive games, be the target man in the forward line and even pinch hit in the ruck.
“I had a late start to the pre-season after coming back from overseas and had a bit of a hiccup with an injury after the first game,” he said. “I’m getting a bit more continuity in my football and starting to string some games together and building my game up.”
This was Werribee’s fourth win since returning as a standalone club – and the most exciting.
There were twists and turns throughout and everyone was on the edge of their seats until the full time siren. The match-winning goal from Werribee small forward Andrew Hooper, who kicked four on the day, came from a spectacular around-the-corner left-foot shot from the boundary.
“It was euphoric in a sense, but we knew there was still time left on the clock, so we were straight on to setting up to defend the lead,” Porter said.
Essendon huffed and puffed, but could not find a way to goal through a desperate Werribee defence.
The big moment came when Werribee defender Matthew Brett smothered on the mark a ball that was destined to be driven deep inside the Essendon forward 50 with seconds left on the clock.
“Those one-per center plays in those situations are huge,” Porter said. “They’re arguably as important as goals because they can lift the whole team. [Coach] John [Lamont] acknowledged that smother after the game. It was a really important piece of play to help us win the game.”
Fabian Brancatisano and Ben McNamara played in their debut matches for Werribee.
“Fabian and Ben looked quite comfortable at VFL footy,” Porter said.
Sam Collins was once again solid as a rock in defence, Dane McFarlane offered plenty of drive off half-back and Dom Brew showed no fear as he cracked in incessantly at the coal face to better his side’s odds of winning the clearances.
One thing Werribee has not been able to do all season is back up one win with another. It will get a golden opportunity to make it two in a row when it faces the Northern Blues at Avalon Airport Oval on Sunday.
For Porter, the decision to return to Werribee has been a good one.
Is he putting himself back in the shop window for AFL recruiters?
The 24-year-old is open-minded, saying “never say never” about his AFL dream, but in the meantime he is relishing the chance to be back at Watton Street.
“When I was overseas, John [Lamont] contacted me and floated the idea of me coming back,” he said. “If I put together some consistent performances, that would probably help my case, but at the moment I’m happy playing the best level of footy I can – whether that be VFL or AFL.”
