Round 8 – Port Adelaide v St Kilda: Membrey’s acrobatic goal of the century highlights a pulsating win
Port Adelaide v St. Kilda
7.10 PM Saturday 25 July
Adelaide Oval
Well, we had one of those unbelievable moments; a moment of derring-do which has never been witnessed before and will probably never be seen again. It occurred late in the final quarter with the Saints well in command, about to record a hard fought and meritorious win over ladder leaders Port. It involved Tim Membrey, who was playing his hundredth league game (99 of them for the Saints). Apparently Tim has been watching films of soccer stars, such as Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, Ronaldo (both of them) and Pele. We had a foretaste of what was to come when Tim soccered a goal off the ground just before halftime.
Now we come to the moment. Jack Steele booted the ball forward with the ball to land in the goal square. Membrey pivoted his body in an attempt to guide the ball with his foot over the goal line. His body was parallel to the ground, possibly four feet or more above the ground, with his right leg extended vertically at a 90 degree angle; at its peak it was six to seven feet above the ground. Tim had a Port defender hanging all over him who was trying to punch the ball through for a rushed point. Watching the play I thought Tim had kicked the goal. The goal umpire signalled a touched behind. The field umpire held up play for a score review. The replay showed that Tim had missed with his attempt and the ball had been punched by the Port defender onto his boot for a goal. The difference between the punch and the ball hitting his boot was a fraction of a second. This goal, which may be the BEST goal ever scored in the history of Aussie Rules, is not something that players train for and practice. It was a response by a player to something that occurred in the spur of the moment and is a tribute to his athleticism and skill in reading the play. Well done Tim. But this is an accolade I accord to all players across the league and over the years.
This was a highly entertaining and hard fought game. It was only in the last quarter when the Saints took command and piled on five goals to nothing that the game was decided. The first quarter saw only three goals scored – two to Port, one late in the quarter, and one to the Saints. The Saints had the better of the second quarter; four goals to two. Three of the goals were scored in the last few minutes of the quarter. A 50 meter penalty to Nick Hind, who landed a bomb from on the 50, provided the Saints with a three point lead at the main break.
Port dominated the first half of the third quarter. They kicked a quick goal at the start and at one stage had 10 inside 50s in a row. The Saints steadied and added two goals in the second half of the quarter, which was followed by a late goal to Port. The Saints were up by a point at the last change. They took command in the last quarter. A turnover by Port near the midpoint of the quarter which resulted in a goal to Dan Butler, and a crumbing goal by Paddy Ryder almost straight after, sealed the win. Tim Membrey’s heroics and another by Max King from a high mark (he has long arms) were icing on the cake.
There were three ingredients to the Saints victory. First, they kicked straight; 12 goals and only one point (though there were two out on the full and a couple that bounced across the goal) and Port did not. Second, they were superior in contested play and won the tackle count. Third, when the game is static and they have the ball the Saints are more inclined to kick the ball long and make use of their talls’ marking ability. If a mistake is made at least it will be further away from goal.
This win over a top side is something to celebrate. Onto the Swans next week. Hope springs eternal.
Go Saints!
PORT ADELAIDE 2.1 4.4 6.6 6.8 (44)
ST. KILDA 1.1 5.1 7.1 12.1 (73)
GOALS
Port Adelaide: Powell-Pepper, Gray, Georgiades, Marshall, Dixon, Duursma.
St. Kilda: Marshall 2, Butler 2, Membrey 2, Ryder 2, Hind, Kent, Gresham, King.
BEST
Port Adelaide: Byrne-Jones, Ladhams, Houston, Wines, Powell-Pepper.
St. Kilda: Marshall, Steele, Jones, Clark, Gresham.
Crowd: Approximately 20,000 plus Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, Ronaldo (both of them) and Pele.
Our Votes: Marshall 3(St. Kilda), Steele 2(St. Kilda), Jones 1(St. Kilda).
Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.
Do you enjoy the Almanac concept?
And want to ensure it continues in its current form, and better? To help keep things ticking over please consider making your own contribution.
Become an Almanac (annual) member – CLICK HERE
One-off financial contribution – CLICK HERE
Regular financial contribution (monthly EFT) – CLICK HERE
Love the crowd well played,Brabham