Camperdown defender Brett Ryan, in just his third senior game, laid a game-saving tackle deep in defence in the dying stages of the Magpies’ thrilling 10.9 (69) to 9.11 (65) win against Portland.

Ryan corralled dangerous Tiger forward Jay Moody and was awarded a free kick for holding the ball, staving off one final yellow-and-black assault.

Click here for photos from the match

His effort gave Camperdown coach Phil Carse a reason to smile after the former Redland skipper missed a gettable set shot which would have sealed the result a minute earlier.

Carse praised Ryan, who was part of a steadfast back six which included the rebounding Jack Williams, recruit Daniel Seehusen and veteran Daniel Baker, for his calmness under pressure. 

“He’s only played three senior games and he’s just been a standout every week,” he said.

“We’re just so happy with the way he’s going.”

Camperdown trailed at every change but a four-goal to one final term against the breeze proved the difference.

The Pies only hit the front 15 minutes into the final quarter after a dancing Jacob Mahony, Sam Cardinal and Karl Dunn hit the scoreboard.

First-gamer Henry Bradshaw was mobbed by his ecstatic teammates when he slotted a goal on the run shortly afterwards to put the Pies 10 points clear.

“He is only 17 and there is not much of him but he’s got beautiful skills and he can read the play really well,” Carse said.

Moody kicked Portland’s only goal of the final term — a clever snap from the pocket 22 minutes in.

The Tigers had ample opportunity to hit the front but squandered gettable chances — a bugbear which has plagued them for the best part of 12 months. 

Injured Portland coach Luke Crane lamented the Tigers’ forward woes and their lack of accountability in the down-to-the-wire finish. 

“(I’m) frustrated, shattered — any of those emotions you can throw in there,” he said.

“We should have had the game done and dusted two or three times and simple little mistakes cost us every time. 

“It is the same every week — the ball seems to spend a lot of time in our forward half but we just don’t seem to make the most of our opportunities. 

“Nathan Haylock, I am not going to blame him, but he runs into an open goal and hits the post and all of a sudden it changes the feeling of the whole place.”

Portland started strongest, kicking the first goal after a courageous Moody mark, and it held Camperdown at arm’s length for most of the first three quarters.

It switched the play well at times and tried to start attacking thrusts from defence but poor forward entries, which were also a problem for the Pies, hurt.

Tiger midfielder Jake Dignan helped offset Crane’s absence, using his run and carry to great effect, while North Ballarat Rebels-listed teenager Jake Edwards did his chances of a TAC Cup call-up no harm.

Daniel Falcone was another Portland onballer to win his share of the ball and ruckman Ben Malcolm, who kicked a goal, was important. Cam Mather’s presence was evident — the injury-prone key defender vital to the Tigers’ long-term prospects, as he straightens up their back six.

Both teams will hope to add to their midfield brigades next weekend, with Crane and Pie Luke Clarke expected back from minor injuries.