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No. 3 Denver Bulldogs dominated the Portland Invitational Tourney on Saturday June 14 with decisive wins over the No. 8 Seattle Grizzlies, the host Portland Power and the Vancouver Cougars. The only team to get within 30 points (in tournament competition) was the host team the Portland Power.
It was perfect footy weather in Portland, the sun was shining and it was in the mid 70's. Everything came together for a great day with over 100 players ready to play some quality football.
Game 1 - Portland Vs Denver
The biggest test by far for Portland Power this year. Denver traveled with strong numbers and Portland weren't far behind. The key factor in this game was experience. Denver came flying out of the blocks with hard at the footy play, from the first bounce. Portland was taken aback at this new level of intensity, akin to the reserves taking on the seniors. The first 10 minutes were dominated by the National Champs with crisp ball movement from the middle and strong marking down at full forward. There was too much experience for the Portland defense to handle. Goals piled up in a hurry. To their credit Portland rallied in the second ten minutes of the first half, as they found their feet. The power players tightened up across the field and managed to get the ball down forward for a solitary point.
Half Time
Portland 0.1.1
Denver 6.2.38
The Portland coaches encouraged their troops to keep playing hard and not drop their heads. They showed they could match it with Denver when they were switched on. A few key changes were made to stem the flow of Denver goals. Run came out of defense from Glen Green and Todd Jackson, linking up with the likes of Mark Bartlett on the wing. The Power finally broke through after a precision pass from Bartlett on the boundary, to Coventry who had floated to the forward pocket. Coventry lined it up and threaded through a goal. Luminato was flat out at the ball as usual and kicked another on the run. Denver kicked two for the half. Portland outscored the national champs 17 to 12 in the second half, a great effort from the local boys. But with the likes of Rich Mann and the Ellis brothers the Bulldogs were not to be denied.
Portland 2.6.18
Denver 8.2.50
Game 2 - Seattle Vs Vancouver
Bound to be a top game with these two teams knowing each other very well after years of rivalry in the NWPAFL. Seattle were short a few senior players, making room for some of the new talent. Vancouver were only a week off a tournament in Kelowna, BC. Vancouver looked the goods in the first half, putting the pressure on and kicking well for goal. Seattle had plenty of the ball, but couldn't convert. Vancouver kept their necks in front at the half.
Half Time
Seattle 1.4.10
Vancouver 2.2.14
Both teams came out fired up in the second half. The game could go either way with both teams hungry for a win. Vancouver made the most of their opportunities, but it wasn't enough to hold Seattle back. The experienced Seattle players worked their way into the game. Inaccuracy hurt them, but it was enough for Seattle to come out on top. Vancouver's Stu Grills was circumspect about the loss. "Seattle and us always battle hard and I think it really came down to them being a more settled team and more experienced as a playing squad"
Final Score
Seattle 4.9.33
Vancouver 4.2.26
Game 3 - Seattle vs Portland
The third game of the year between these long term rivals, with one a piece. Portland were hoping to take advantage of the weary Seattle in their back to back game. It would be a tight tussle. Luminato had his hands full with the Seattle speedster Justin Peel. The first time all year anyone kept up with him. Mark O'Brien was proving very handy at center half forward for Portland, with Michael Roberston as illusive as ever on the flank, taking marks under pressure. Greeny and Bartlett stepped it up a notch giving run and making good position. New player Kevin O'Hara strutted his stuff with a great goal from the boundary. Portland was up at the half after accurate kicking for goal.
Half Time
Seattle 2.3.15
Portland 3.1.19
As often happens with new teams, Portland had their noses in front, but didn't keep the pressure on. The start of the second saw Seattle take the upper hand with run off the half back line. They quickly added 3 goals in the first 5 minutes and Portland was reeling. Continual encouragement from the senior players kept Portland's heads up and they fought there way back into the game. Rookies Kevin O'hara and Calon Russell were getting a taste for it running hard and getting in for the hard balls off the wings. Robertson and Bartlett continued to play solid on the flanks and Mark O'brien put through a goal. Luminato, Coventry and Green kept the run going through the middle. Portland would not give up and with their third goal for the quarter from Tyler Barratt with a beautiful snap, they were almost there. The siren came first and Seattle came out winners by 3 points in a fantastic contest.
Final Score
Seattle 5.6.36
Portland 5.3.33
Game 4 - Denver Vs Vancouver
Rumour had it, some of the Vancouver players are on the Canadian National team and wanted to have a crack at Denver. They may have gotten more than they bargained for as Denver hit their stride in their second game of the day. Denver were fully switched on in this game and were incredibly accurate with 6 goals straight. The Vancouver forwards only had a couple of sniffs and managed 2 behinds.
Half Time
Denver 6.0.36
Vancouver 0.2.2
The second half was more competitive. Vancouver scored their only goal for the game. They were more accountable in defense and Denver missed a few, but still bagged 5 for the half. Setting the bar very high with the highest score of the day. Still they young Canadian's impressed Denver Head Coach and former Revo Head Coach, Tom Ellis. "Vancouver has a couple of Canadian players that I think are going to really open some eyes in Australia this year. I have them picked as my dark horse to make it in the top three this year."
Final Score
Denver 11.3.69
Vancouver 1.3.9
Game 5 - Portland Vs Vancouver
With both teams still to get a win, this game would be an all out affair. Portland were struggling for experience with key players out injured. Lucky the new guys were stepping up, Kevin and Calon starting on the wings and producing gutsy efforts from the first bounce. The Portland back line continued to play solidly with Paul Spencer, Atkins, Johnson and Jeremy Cover leading the way. Morgan Will was on fire in the middle, giving second and third efforts on the ball. The game could have gone either way in the first half, but Vancouver made the most of their opportunities and Portland struggled to get clear down forward. The one highlight a goal from Robertson, despite the constant manning up from Vancouver.
Half Time
Portland 1.2.8
Vancouver 3.2.20
Portland were determined to fight it out and were asked to leave it all out on the field in this final 20 mins. They did just that. Vancouver were hungry for that win and gained the advantage early. Several forward thrusts were repelled by the solid defense from Cover and Spencer. Spencer's accurate kick outs were crucial as he hit Coventry, Green and Luminato. Portland would not lie down and continued to run the ball out of the back line linking up with Bartlett, O'Brien and Robertson at half forward. Robertson earned 2 more goals as the sole provider for Portland down forward. Weariness crept up on both teams and despite every effort, Portland couldn't close the gap. Vancouver came out on top in a hard fought victory. Northwind Squad members Clayton Holmes and James Maitland did a terrific job for Vancouver.
Final Score
Portland 3.2.20
Vancouver 5.7.37
Game 6 - Seattle Vs Denver
Seattle, the Division 2 runners up were to take on the Division 1 champs. This would be a big test on where Seattle would sit in the top ten. Seattle struggled from the start, missing key mid-fielders through injuries, babies etc. Denver never missed a step from game 2 and went on their merry way. The Seattle defense did a good job manning up and kept Denver to their lowest first half tally. At the other end, however, it was a shut out as Denver, again kept the opposition goalless.
Half Time
Seattle 0.1.1
Denver 3.5.23
Seattle continued to be accountable on the defensive end in the second half. Manning up and hard tackling are prided amongst the Grizzlies. Unfortunately the mid-field and forwards couldn't match it with the Denver boys and Seattle only managed one goal. Denver played out the game hard, but were kept to their lowest score of the day by the Seattle back men. Seattle can now see what it takes to make it in Division 1. Denver's Ellis was very impressed, "Seattle have some fantasitic players with 2 coming from San Diego's team last year. They have some outstanding Americans that I think could make the Revolution on the next go round. If they keep it together they will be a Division One squad soon."
Final
Seattle 1.1.7
Denver 7.6.48
It was a great day for footy in the U.S. and the Northwest in particular.
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