On their return to first grade and with the game in the balance, the Blacks kicked three late goals to seal an 18-point victory over Nowra-Albatross at West Street Oval. Determined to make a statement, Port piled on six goals without reply in the first quarter.

But with their lead reduced to just 10 at the final change, Port found themselves behind twice in the dramatic fourth term.

Had any demons from last year’s reserve grade grand final, where they were thrashed by a rampant Kiama set in?

Had any lingering doubts about taking the giant leap into the top division crept in?

They answered emphatically, to seal a 14.9 (93) to 11.9 (75) victory over the Vikings. 

It was a family affair up forward too, with the Brights kicking 13 of their goals, Paul four, Steven three, Peter two and Leon two.

Peter Bright said it was a major confidence booster for the club.

“It was great, especially to stand up at the end,” Peter said. 

“They got us a couple of times there in the last term and most of the scoring had been to the other end, but we found the goals we needed.

“(Cousin) Paul took a couple of big grabs up forward for us. 

“You never quite know how you’ll go coming into first grade, so it gives us a bit of a belief.”

Jack Willis, Kye Abben and Robert Worthington were among the Blacks’ best.

And while there are sterner tests ahead for Port Kembla, they prepare for another winnable contest against Northern Districts on Saturday. Last year’s runners-up Kiama fired first-up, keeping the Tigers to just one goal in a 109-point landslide at Hollymount Park. 

There was similar pain for the Bomaderry Tigers, who went down by 118 points against the Wollongong Bulldogs, Jayden Witt leading the charge with five goals.

Premiers Wollongong Lions overpowered Figtree, with Toby Bishop kicking five in a 15.9 (99) to 6.6 (42) win. 

The Lions and Kiama’s recent men’s success translated into the new women’s competition, both recording wins in the first round. 

The Ulladulla Dockers showed they’ll be a force, kicking 15.13 in an 80-point win over Nowra-Albatross.

AFL SOUTH COAST

Round one

Men: Port Kembla 14.9 (93) d Nowra-Albatross 11.9 (75), Wollongong Lions 15.9 (99) d Figtree 6.6 (42), Wollongong Bulldogs 17.19 (121) d Bomaderry 0.3 (3), Kiama 16.24 (120) d Northern Districts 1.5 (11).

Women: Wollongong Lions 10.8 (68) d Wollongong Saints 3.4 (22), Ulladulla 15.13 (103) d Nowra-Albatross 3.5 (23), Bomaderry 8.6 (54) d Wollongong Bulldogs 0.2 (2), Kiama 9.20 (74) d Northern Districts 1.1 (7). 

Round two

Men: WOLLONGONG BULLDOGS v FIGTREE at Keira Ova, PORT KEMBLA v NORTHERN DISTRICTS at Kully Bay Oval, SHELLHARBOUR v BOMADERRY at Myimbarr Oval, WOLLONGONG LIONS v KIAMA North Dalton Park, NOWRA-ALBATROSS bye.

Women: WOLLONGONG BULLDOGS v WOLLONGONG SAINTS at Keira Oval, WOLLONGONG LIONS v KIAMA at North Dalton Park, DAPTO CITY v BOMADERRY at Fred Finch Park, NOWRA-ALBATROSS bye.