VFL Match Report: Round 1 vs Port Melbourne

23/03/2026

There was plenty to like from our first VFL hit out as a standalone side in 26 years on Sunday afternoon, however the final result didn’t go our way, falling by 14 points in a spirited showing to Port Melbourne in the opening clash of our 2026 VFL season.

Taking to Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval with a healthy crowd in attendance for our Round 1 contest against the Borough, we were right in the hunt for the entire contest, however unable to poke our noses in front at any stage, eventually going down 12.15 (87) to 14.17 (101).

With the sun beating down, it was a hot start to the contest in every sense, and while Port Melbourne got the jump with the first two goals of the game, it was Willis Reidy on his Zebras debut that got us on the board for season 2026 with our first major of the contest, converting a set shot from 40 metres out.

We settled well from there and matched the Borough for the rest of the term, with Daniel Pinter also kicking truly after winning a free kick inside 50, although a late goal to Port Melbourne saw them lead by 14 at the first change, 2.3 (15) to 4.5 (29).

A brilliant piece of link-up play between Darcy Chirgwin, Kynan Brown and Andreas Stefanakis along the wing resulted in our first major of the second term, with Stefanakis delivering beautifully to Jack Ferraro up forward, who managed to slot a real team-lifting goal from 50 metres out, right on the boundary line.

Jess Gedi, who provided brilliant pressure all afternoon, made it consecutive goals for us for the first time in the contest when he opened his account shortly after, having been spotted up inside 50 with an absolute bullet from Jet Peckett to draw the margin back to single digits.

We traded blows to round out the term, with both Stefanakis and Brodie Atkins, who provided plenty of grunt at the coal face, kicking their first each of the game to keep us within striking distance at the main break, trailing 6.7 (43) to 7.9 (51).

A flurry of Borough goals after half time put us on the back foot, but we responded with three of the next four, as Liam Purcell and Chirgwin joined the party, while Ferraro added a second, to keep us right in the hunt, although we lost a little bit of ground, heading into the final break 16 points in arrears.

Port Melbourne added the first of the final term which was quickly countered by Purcell, and when Noah Yze added his first in the black, yellow and blue to pull us within 10 points with five minutes gone in the last term, things looked set for an epic finale.

The Borough proved too strong, though, adding the next two goals, and while Pinter would kick his second to round out a strong debut, it proved too little, too late, as we were unable to reel Port Melbourne in.

It was a positive first outing, however, with a number of players stepping up to meet the challenge of our first standalone contest.

Ethan Williams won plenty of the ball, tallying 22 disposals and laying eight tackles, as did Nathan Philactides and Chirgwin with 21 and 18, respectively, the latter also winning it at the source with four clearances to his name.

Pinter (2 goals, 16 disposals, 5 clearances) was influential throughout, as were Ben Stephenson (10 disposals, 9 tackles, 3 clearances) and Atkins (1 goal, 13 disposals, 7 tackles, 3 clearances), while Owen Bater competed hard all day in the backline.

We will look to bounce back next week when we host Werribee at Wilson Storage Trevor Barker Beach Oval on Saturday, March 28 at 12:05pm.

Scores

Sandringham: 2.3, 6.7, 9.10, 12.15 (87)

Port Melbourne: 4.5, 7.9, 11.14, 14.17 (101)

Disposals: Williams 22, Philactides 21, Chirgwin 18, Stefanakis 17, Pinter 16.

Goals: Purcell, Pinter, Ferraro 2, Yze, Stefanakis, Reidy, Gedi, Chirgwin, Atkins.