By Erika Allen
MAFFRA’S tough round 16 loss to Traralgon has firmly ruled the Eagles out of contention for the Gippsland League finals.
The Eagles turned the tables on the Maroons in the second term, with Rachel Weatherley and Tilly Fox combining for a 16-goal to seven-goal period to put the home team a goal ahead at half-time.
But Traralgon’s centre Indiana de Dios, who was best-on-court for her side, along with goal keeper Bronwyn Tebb and shooter Hannah Smith, helped the visitors punish the Eagles in the third and fourth terms as the visitors surged to a 16-goal victory.
Maffra defender Jayde Parsons was hard to go past as the club’s best player on Saturday, continuing her consistent form throughout the season. Zali Wheatley again put her name among the best with a commanding performance against Traralgon shooter Lara Noblett, while Elle Weatherley, the third member of a top-notch defensive group, also impressed.
Traralgon has now moved two points clear of the Eagles on the ladder, pushing Maffra into seventh, clearly ahead of Sale.
The Maroons could still sneak into finals if they win their next two games against Morwell and then Wonthaggi, the team they will be hunting down for fifth spot, in round 18.
The Power defeated the Magpies by 10 goals on Saturday, with Chelsea Bowman netting 33 goals in a best-on-court performance.
The match evened out through the middle stages, but Wonthaggi bookended it with a 14-8 first term and 14-11 fourth term to create some distance.
Eva Lindsay was strong in goal defence, while wing attack Ellie Bates impressed through the midcourt, with both joining Bowman in the home side’s top players. Sale wing attack Tash Beddgood, goalkeeper Ashleigh Keefe and centre Olivia Stothers were the visitors’ best.
Moe maintained its lead at the top of the ladder with a convincing 79-35 victory over Bairnsdale.
Jordan Pyle was the top-rated Lion for her role in goal defence against Bairnsdale’s Chloe Felsbourg.
Sally Deller was Bairnsdale’s best, holding down defence in the goal third against Moe shooter Ashlea Mawer.
The Redlegs have been a consistent third-best side this season, but with Moe and Drouin now holding a 12-point or greater lead over Bairnsdale, fourth-ranked Leongatha is closing in just two points behind.
The Parrots defeated Warragul by 46 goals on Saturday, recording the biggest winning margin of round 16. Centre Taylah Brown was the best player for the home side.
Mikaeli Hilliar, Gemma Thomas and Amy Scott, who added 44 goals to the overall tally, were too hard to stop under the ring, with the Parrots posting two quarters of more than 20 goals.
Warragul goal attack Amelia Henry and goalkeeper Olivia Barr were the Gulls’ best players.
Drouin also won big against Morwell, 75-52.
Ella Henderson, centre Stacie Gardiner and Lainey Downie were the visiting Hawks’ top players. Mwai Kumwenda Mbwana returned to the circle and scored 46 goals, while Charlize Traumanis added 29.
Morwell goal shooter Isabella Bettridge scored a strong bag of her own with 41 goals, taking out top honours among her teammates. Centre Chloe Radford and Courtney Garth were the other Tigers to impress.
There are now just two rounds left in the regular season, with round 17 carrying plenty of weight for Leongatha as it chases Bairnsdale and Wonthaggi as it tries to hold on to the top five.
The Parrots and the Power will meet in Leongatha on Saturday, while Maffra hosts Drouin and Warragul hosts Moe. Traralgon has an important clash against Morwell as it looks to stay in touch with Wonthaggi, while Bairnsdale will be looking to maintain its gap over Leongatha with a win against Sale.
Run to the GL finals
1. Moe — 60 points, 173.37 per cent
Warragul (away), Sale (home)
2. Drouin — 58 points, 138.32 per cent
Maffra (away), Leongatha (home)
3. Bairnsdale — 46 points, 124.79 per cent
Sale (away), Maffra (home)
4. Leongatha — 44 points, 116.91 per cent
Wonthaggi (home), Drouin (away)
5. Wonthaggi — 34 points, 99.32 per cent
Leongatha (away), Traralgon (home)
6. Traralgon — 26 points, 97.09 per cent
Morwell (home), Wonthaggi (away)
