Portarlington likely to take first step to retaining their title against The Heath

FOR the second year in a row, The Heath face the daunting task of taking on Portarlington in the opening round of the Senior Football Championship, a game Portarlington won on their way to retaining the county title.

Portarlington enter the championship as the team everyone wants to beat. They have dominated senior football in recent seasons, claiming five county titles in six years and establishing themselves as the benchmark in the county.

With proven scoring threats, championship experience and a winning mentality, they will be strong favourites. Their ability to control possession around midfield and punish turnovers has been a hallmark of their success, while their big-game experience is unmatched in the county.

The Heath arrive as underdogs but certainly not without hope. Having had a decent run in ACFL Division 2, where Portarlington beat on the way to claiming that title, they possess enough quality to trouble any side on their day.

The Heath's challenge will be converting scoring chances when they arise and matching Portarlington physically for the full 60 minutes. If they can keep the game tight into the final quarter, pressure could begin to shift onto the champions.

Championship openers can sometimes be cagey affairs, but Portarlington's depth, experience and recent pedigree make them deserved favourites. The Heath should be competitive and might make life difficult for periods, but over the course of the game the champions' quality should tell.