Port Melbourne hosted the Bendigo Bombers for its Round 13 clash at TEAC Oval. 
 
Bendigo, looking to bounce back from losses in the previous two rounds, faced a confident Port side which was looking to cement its spot in the top four.  The Bombers have struggled on the road all season and came in as underdogs against a confident Port Melbourne side which had won its previous six games and was undefeated at home.  Mal Michael was welcomed back for another game with Bendigo and Ricky Dyson and Courtney Johns were also included in the line up.

 

The Bombers started the stronger team in the opening five minutes but couldn’t make the most of their opportunities. Port Melbourne took advantage of this and managed to register the first couple of goals to signal their intentions.  Essendon listed Jarrod Atkinson showed his class, running through the middle of the ground then brilliantly hitting Brent Hartigan who finished the play with a goal.  Bendigo grabbed another when James Bristow slotted the goal after being awarded a dubious 50 metre penalty.  The Bombers showed great endeavour, they attacked the ball positively to show the Borough they were here to play.  Port Melbourne however was up to the task and took full advantage of the strong breeze blowing to its end of the ground and grabbed the last three goals of the quarter to take a 20-point lead into the first break.

 

Bendigo took full advantage of the breeze early in the second term when Grant Weekes scored in the first 30 seconds of the quarter to put a dent in Port’s quarter time lead.  Anthony Bonaddio, who before the start of the match was sitting third in the goal kickers ladder, kicked two goals in the quarter against a man many consider to be the best full back of the last few years, Mal Michael.  His efforts weren’t enough to stop Bendigo outscoring Port five goals to three in the quarter and Bombers coach, Adrian Hickmott, would have been happy with they way his young side was keeping pace. 
 
The major talking point of the first half was the serious knee injury to Essendon player Courtney Johns who landed awkwardly after flying for a mark and immediately crumbled to the ground.  This hurt Bendigo in the second half as it lacked a tall target up forward.
 
The third quarter was a disaster for the Bombers, Port Melbourne kicked seven goals to Bendigo’s one and took the match away from the visitors.  Bendigo would have been disappointed considering it had stayed with its opponent for most of the first half.  The Bombers couldn’t contain Anthony Bonaddio up forward; he grabbed another two goals while the other five goals were shared among five different players.  The absence of Johns left a massive hole in Bendigo’s forward line structure and this was evident as Port Melbourne were able to clear from defence before Bendigo could get a shot off. 
 
Heath Hocking scored Bendigo’s only goal for the quarter and Hayden Skipworth was a stand out for the Bombers, collecting possessions left, right and centre.  Port Melbourne went into the last quarter holding a comfortable 39-point lead.

 

The fourth quarter was horrible for Bendigo. 
 
Despite kicking into the wind, Port Melbourne piled on eight unanswered to goals to seal the contest. Poor disposal and inaccurate goal kicking cost the Bombers, ending up losing by 85-points.  The win means Port climbs to second on the ladder, while Bendigo now sits in 11th spot.  Anthony Bonaddio was among Port’s best with 6 goals, while Bendigo’s best were Captain James Flaherty and Hayden Skipworth.