A passionate Ben Kenna encouraged his players to harness the feeling after holding off a spirited Port Fairy 13.13 (91) to 11.15 (81) at Terang Recreation Reserve on Saturday.

It was Kenna's first victory in charge after the coronavirus pandemic wiped out the 2020 season.

Kenna, a three-time Kolora-Noorat premiership coach, was rapt with the Bloods' response after the Seagulls, who were 37 points down at half-time, crept to within five in the final quarter.

"This has been two years in the making for this win. I am proud to coach a win here. We're going to make more wins going forward, we've got to want to win in here," he implored in the rooms post-game.

Terang Mortlake, coming off a deflating loss to premiership favourite Koroit, started positively against Port Fairy.

The Bloods, through forwards Lachie Wareham and Will Kain, looked threatening as they took a 21-point lead into the first break.

A five-goal to two second quarter had the Seagulls, also winless in 2021, on the ropes before a Shane Savage masterclass propelled them back into contention.

The Seagulls slotted six goals to one in the third term.

Savage finished the game with six majors. Both teams kicked four goals in the final term. Kenna told The Standard post game it was a step in the right direction.

"This club hasn't been the strongest club in the last few years and you want to make ground, you don't want to be easy-beats," he said.

"Last week was pretty hard because you come off a serviceable game in round one against Camperdown and then you run into Koroit who you know are going to handle us pretty well."

Kenna was pleased with the Bloods' first half and how they responded to the Seagulls' third-quarter dominance.

"I think if the game rolls along the way it did (in the first quarter) you don't get as much out of it so to get challenged like that and respond is pleasing," he said.

Kain finished with five goals after a strong aerial display for the Bloods.

Kenna is bullish about what he can do in the Hampden league.

"He's a bit of a natural. He reads the game well, leads well and even if a kick is not a perfect kick, he seems to just have that quick (thought) 'oh that's dropping short' and gets in front of his man," he said.

Port Fairy coach Winis Imbi said the Seagulls took positive steps.

"I liken it to a baby giraffe. Even though a baby giraffe can walk when it's born, it's still growing and that's like us," he said.

"It is taking the boys time to adjust to what we want to do. As much as the scoreboard hurt, we hurt ourselves with our composure."

Imbi, who has a new-look team in 2021, said the Seagulls' fightback was a step in the right direction.

"It was really encouraging signs that the boys are really picking things up and want to invest as well," he said.

"That could've been a different score line today. The boys are sticking to the process and we talked about faith as well - wins aren't coming but it will if they keep believing in the way we want to play.

"I am walking away much happier than the last two weeks."

Imbi was happy with second-gamer Jack Carter and debutant Riley Riordan.

"Jack trains regularly and he's invested so his name got called," he said.

"There were times he got beaten today but he held his own on occasions as well which we're really proud of.

"Riley, like others, there's things he needs to improve on but he'll get another go next week.

"We're not going to chop and change. He needs time to grow and his debut looked good.

"He had some real dangerous moments there, he was sounds defensively at times."

Port Fairy spoke about the spirit of the ANZACs pre-game.

"Today we felt like Port Fairy, our club, became a team and that we're developing a soul," Imbi said.

Terang Mortlake finished with sore bodies - Jarryd Hay, in game 150, played with a severe corkie, Ryan O'Connor hurt his ankle, Will Tickner hyper-extended his knee and Mitch Carlin suffered a shoulder complaint.

Hay, Tickner and Carlin played the game out and O'Connor was hurt late in the match.

Port Fairy got through the match unscathed.

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