An after-the-siren miss from Richmond’s Ben Lennon has given Port Melbourne the win in the 2017 VFL Grand Final by the slim margin of four points.
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Final score
Port Melbourne 11.8.74
Richmond Tigers 10.10.70
Port Melbourne take on Richmond at Etihad stadium for the chance to be crowned the VFL premiers of 2017. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog from 3pm AEST.
Port Melbourne are coming into the game after an impressive 23-point win over rivals Williamstown while the Tigers were far too strong for Box Hill winning by 65 points.
The Port Melbourne side started off the game strongly and were able to hold off some crucial momentum swings back to Williamstown to get the hard-fought win.
For Richmond it was all one-way traffic for much of their match against Box Hill who were sluggish despite the week off.
This will be the fourth time in nine years that Port Melbourne will be in the grand final after facing off against Ballarat in 2008, cruising to an undefeated season in 2011 and then falling to Geelong in 2012. Richmond will be in their first VFL grand final.
Port Melbourne finished the season in third place after winning 12 games but lost their opening finals game to Box Hill, luckily for that second chance though as they were able to overcome the ladder leaders Williamstown.
Richmond finished sixth and have had to play each week of the finals, but a big win over the Box Hill side who had just two weeks earlier knocked over Port Melbourne will give them a huge confidence boost.
With so much up for grabs for both sides the game should be a hard-fought contest. The weather on the day is looking to be miserable with bad weather forecast however if this is the case then the roof at Etihad may get closed up for fans and players comfort.
If Port Melbourne can match the Tigers’ in-form midfield it will go a long way to leading them to the win and their first flag in six years.
For the Tigers – the VFL’s top-ranked team for points scored – to get their win their midfield will have to get the ball inside their forward 50 with the same consistency they have used all year.
The game should be an absolute cracker with both teams not wanting to end the season empty-handed, the Richmond faithful will be in full voice at the game, while Port Melbourne fans will want to see the Tiger fans go home with their heads down once again.
Prediction
Port Melbourne by 11
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Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Has everyone's heart rate come back down? Thank you for joining me today for what was an absolute cracker of a game. Congratulations Port Melbourne the 2017 VFL premiers.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Port Melbourne fight back to take the 2017 VFL premiership. Port Melbourne have fought back late in the final quarter to take a narrow 4 point win over Richmond in the VFL premiership. Port Melbourne 11.8.74 defeated the Richmond Tigers 10.10.70 in front of a strong Tiger crowd at Etihad Stadium. The Tigers lead for the majority of the day and looked like they would run away with the win in the 4th quarter as they took a 13 point lead into time on, but the Port Melbourne side showed the resilience they have built their squad around this year to over run them. Ben Lennon had a shot after the siren to win the game for Richmond but his shot on goal was wide and the Borough would take the 4 point win. The first quarter was tough affair from both sides with Richmond taking the early 7 point lead. 2 quick goals to Shai Bolton of the Tigers sparked them in that term but the Borough kept the score within arms length thanks to a couple of good goals from Christopher Cain and Toby Pinwill. The second quarter was a low scoring affair with just the one goal for the entire term with Eli Templeton of Port Melbourne being the lone goal scorer, Both teams had goals go begging after a touch off the boot cost Richmond a goal the Borough took it down their end only for the Richmond defence to prevent what could have been an easy goal to Port Melbourne. The third stepped up the scoring with both teams peppering the goals, kicking 3 goals apiece and 9 scoring shots in total. Connor Menadue was impressive for the Tigers in the term kicking 2 goals and being involved in a number of different plays. Shai Bolton left the field throughout the term with a minor ankle injury but played out the game for Richmond. The final quarter was all set to be a cracking affair with the Tigers being up by just 2 points, and when they started the final term kicking two quick goals it looked like the Borough may be running out of legs, but a goal to Dylan Conway his first of three in the term gave the Port Melbourne side a chance. Ben Griffiths who had left the game in the fourth with an ankle injury returned and kicked a goal just before time on it looked like the Tigers had done enough. Port Melbourne though who almost lost their team at the start of the year started fighting back, a 2nd and 3rd goal to the term to Dylan Conway brought the game back to a 1 point lead. With almost no time left on the clock and the Borough down by 1 Richmond threw everything they had at them but this game still had some twists and turns, Mitchell Wooffindin kicked a goal for Port Melbourne to give them the lead and a few more minutes of heart stopping action. Both teams in the final 6 minutes of play tried everything they could to score or lock up the game, Richmond had a few more shots at scoring but the Borough were able to cut them off at every turn and rebound, only for it to return back down the Tigers end. The game had one more twist though as Ben Lennon took a mark just outside the 50 metre mark and went back for a shot at goal, as he was walking back to take the shot for Richmond the siren sounded. Ben Lennon's kick was off line and the Borough would win their 2nd flag in 9 years and their 17th premiership overall. Sam Lloyd of the Tigers was awarded best on ground in a losing effort.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Match report will follow after the Best on ground has been handed out.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
He misses, Behind to the Tigers. Port Melbourne are the 2017 VFL grand final winners in a heart stopper. Final score Port Melbourne 11.8.74 Richmond 10.10.70 What a final quarter that was.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Mark to Ben Lennon of the Tigers 52 out the kick will be after the siren.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
There has to be next to no time left on the clock surely. Port Melbourne in front by 5 points. 31.56 played.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
This is a ripper of a game, Port Melbourne looked gone at the start of time on.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Goal Port Melbourne. The Borough are now up by 5 points. After a ripper of a goal from Mitchell Wooffindin. 3 straight goals to Port Melbourne. Port Melbourne 11.8.74 Richmond 10.9.69 29:24 played 4th quarter.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
I have no clue how much time is left, but Port Melbourne are really pushing hard here. Richmond trying to lift themselves.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Mark to Dylan Conway inside the Port Melbourne inside 50 and he goes back for the goal. Goal Port Melbourne 1 point game. Port Melbourne 10.8.68 Richmond 10.9.69 26:35 4th quarter.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Goal Port Melbourne. They are still a chance late into time on. Port Melbourne 9.8.62 Richmond 10.9.69 23:55 played final quarter.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Sam Lloyd Kicks it long into the Richmond 50 and Ben Griffiths who has just come back after that earlier injury marks it and kicks the goal. 13 point lead to the Tigers. Port Melbourne 8.8.56 Richmond 10.9.69 21:00 final quarter.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Goal Port Melbourne. Much needed goal from Blake Pearson and it is back to 7 points. Port Melbourne 8.8.56 Richmond 9.9.63 18:21 played final quarter.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Port Melbourne have struggled to get a clear mark inside 50 all game and it is now starting to be costly,
Callum Macallister
Guest
Come on the Tigers don't lose
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Behind Richmond. Tyson Stengle misses the shot on goal. A horrible kick in from Port Melbourne and Shaun Mannagh gets the ball and kicks the goal for the Tigers. Port Melbourne 7.8.50 Richmond 9.9.63 13:11 final quarter.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Behind Port Melbourne. Eli Templeton misses the set shot as it slides across the face. Nerves are getting the better of them right now. Port Melbourne 7.8.50 Richmond 8.8.56 9:30 4th quarter.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Behind Port Melbourne. Lachlan Wardell misses the shot on goal. Port Melbourne 7.7.49 Richmond 8.8.56 8:12 4th quarter.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Ben Griffiths of the Tigers is a bit worse for wear right now as he appears to have injured his ankle.
Sam Walker
Roar Guru
Goal Port Melbourne. Much needed reply from the Boroughs through Dylan Conway. Port Melbourne 7.6.48 Richmond 8.8.56 5:57 final quarter