A Grade

CLEVE v PORTS…Cleve played their best football for season 2009 in accounting for an undermanned Ports outfit by 149 points at Cleve.

In previous weeks the Bombers had been ordinary in disposing of the ball, but on Saturday their was a complete reversal.

Their foot skills improved markedly all over the ground and once inside their attacking arc were consistently able to ‘square-up’ before taking shots on goal; 31 goals and just nine points on the scoreboard is indicative of the number of relatively easy shots on goal being taken.

Dylan Jenner topped the list of 14 individual goal kickers finishing the game with a disputed nine goals.

He led, marked and converted better than he has done all year and had a hand in a couple of others that he could have quite easily taken himself.

Burger Claxton even bagged one; his Peter Hudson-esque mongrel flat punt from 18 metres out, dead in front, managing to clear the goal line by just millimeters.

As the score-line would suggest the Bombers had many good players. Rick Leonard easily had his best game for the season, he had the stats guru’s re-sharpening their pencils several times as he accumulated impressive numbers.

Jess Kenny positioned himself brilliantly to win many possessions and then he disposed of it very effectively.

Jason Perkins used his pace and balance to be first to the ball or a space creating many opportunities (hen kicked two goals and missed a couple that Burger’s short-haired, short-eared, short everything, dwarf pet rabbit could have squeezed through blindfolded).

Jacko Kirvan was busy around the ground and drifted forward often enough to kick three goals, Dan Hornhardt was an effective link man, Kym Leonard imposed himself on the game from very early on, Kane Schubert should audition for the 2010 series of Dancing With the Stars, the way he waltzes through traffic defying would-be tacklers is itself worth paying to see, Travis George, ‘Digger’ Donahue, Tyson Jenner, and so the list goes on.

Ports who were missing several first choice players in Wade Ramsey, Levi Bell and Evan Hunt were best served by Ryan Helling who was busier than Sergeant Schultz plugging holes in de fence, as well as Cade Hartwig - who had an interesting battle with Nathan Gillings, Aseri Raikiwasa in ruck and Ashley ‘Mullet’ Masters who threatened across half forward and finished with three goals.

Cleve 31-9 (195) d Ports 7-4 (46)