By Nicholas Duck
A titanic top three battle saw the league's upper end cop another shake-up in a big week of footy while the Gippsland League donned a splash of orange to battle violence against women.
Here's what you might have missed this week.
Sale vs Leongatha
Leongatha did a number on Sale away from home.A clash between one of the league's top and bottom sides went pretty much as expected, the Parrots far too good 19.12 (127) to 7.4 (46).After taking a narrow lead into quarter time Leongatha broke the shackles from that point on, kicking eight goals to one in the second and piling the pain onto a Magpies team that has experienced their fair share this year.It's a nice percentage boost – one that sees them move back to the top of the ladder.Patrick Ireland, Luke Bowman, Nicholas Argento Jay Walker, Aydan Williams and Zavier Lamers all helped the Parrots to their big win.Cooper Whitehill, Thomas Wrigglesworth, Harry Ronchi, Bodhi Walker, Ronan James and Cooper Rand were the Magpies who could hold their heads high.
Traralgon vs Moe
They're the reigning premiers for a reason.
Traralgon have once again reaffirmed their premiership credentials, taking down Moe at home by 21 points.
The 11.15 (81) to 8.12 (60) victory is the second time this year the Maroons have knocked off the highly fancied Lions, whose only losses have come at the reigning premiers' hands.
Traralgon's run and gun style from half back held sway for much of the day, giving them an early advantage as they cut the Moe defence to ribbons on more than one occasion.
The Lions fought back at several stages, cutting the deficit to single digits in the third quarter.
Despite that, it would be Traralgon who finished the stronger of the two, booting three goals to one in the fourth quarter to secure a deserved win.
Confidence would be flowing at the Maroons now following consecutive wins over other members of the top three. They're certainly a far cry from the team that kicked one goal after quarter time against Maffra.
The Maroons put their pace to good use, while also keeping most of the Moe forwards bar Ben Crocker (three goals) fairly quiet.
Liam Willaton did the largest body of work around the ball, taking on one of the league's finest engine rooms with aplomb.
Tristan Waack's drive off half back proved vital, while Harvey Neocleous, Matthew Northe, Tye Hourigan and Dylan Loprese were all excellent.
It's back to the drawing board for Moe, who have slipped to second spot thanks to the defeat.
They'll be thereabouts come the pointy end of the season, but if they want a drought breaking flag they're going to have to figure out how to overcome the speed bump that is Traralgon.
Harrison Pepper, Alex Dijkstra, Crocker, Brock Smith, Thomas Blackshaw and Tahj Eden were their better players.
Wonthaggi vs Maffra
Wonthaggi released the pressure on the season if just a little on Saturday with a vital victory against Maffra.
On a three-game losing streak and suddenly appearing vulnerable inside the top five, the injury-riddled Power did enough to navigate a tricky Eagles opposition 10.8 (68) to 5.12 (42).
Most of the damage was done in a defensively sound first half for the home side where they conceded just one goal while kicking six of their own.
Maffra eased into the day from there, even drawing to within 10 points early in the last, before Wonthaggi booted the last three goals of the day to avoid a genuine disaster.
It keeps the Power in fourth position, one win ahead of Warragul in fifth and with what should be a win against Drouin to come this week.
The Power certainly didn't do it pretty still without a host of their stars, but at this point they just needed the four points. On those terms, it was mission accomplished.
Like many other games this year and the last, Maffra's best patches are good enough to scare anyone, even if they didn't quite get the result.
Hosting Moe this week will be a real test, having been annihilated by the Lions last time around.
Wonthaggi best were Ethan Dickison, Joshua Bates, Kyle Reid, Ryan Sparkes, Andrew McNeel and Jasper Shone.
Maffra's stronger contributors included Daniel Bedggood, Andrew McKenzie, Alex Carr, Jonathan Boyd, Danny Butcher and Jett Killoran.
Morwell vs Warragul
Now that's a big win.
Warragul's hunt for a long-awaited finals appearance took a massive step on Saturday as they secured their third straight win, taking down fellow top five challenger Morwell by 34 points.
The Gulls were harder around the ball for longer and took their chances to walk away from Morwell Recreation Reserve as winners 13.13 (91) to 7.15 (57), moving into the five at the Tigers' expense in the process.
It's a far cry from the last time the two met back in round two, where Morwell practically bullied Warragul at the contest, piling on the first seven goals to have the game done and dusted early.
This time around it was a much different Gulls side finding the edge they needed to get the four points in what could turn out to be a classic 'eight-point game' in the run home to finals.
Six goals to two in the second quarter was especially important to Warragul's win, giving them a platform to eventually lead by as many as 42 points late in the day.
Morwell didn't help themselves with their accuracy of course. The Tigers forgot their kicking boots, missing several simple shots at goal and suffering the full consequences.
Defender Sean Masterson was again at his brilliant best for the Gulls, getting a fist or a mark to a tonne of Tiger kicks and frustrating the Morwell forwards all day.
Jordan Stewart provided an excellent target up forward, clunking several contested marks and kicking four first half goals.
Tom Hobbs connected well with big ruck Sam Whibley through the middle, giving the Gulls an advantage around the ball they failed to have last time, as VFL-listed star Will Hayes and young Rory Nettle showed their class.
It was a down day for plenty of Morwell players, but recruit Maclan McInnes was able to put together one of his finest performances in the yellow and black to date primarily in the backline.
Stephen Mills, Zachary Anderson, Dan Musil and Joshua Galea all also flew the flag for the home side on a tough day at the office.
Needing a good start to banish the demons of round two, the Gulls were off to the races within a minute when Jordan Stewart brought down a great grab in the goal square for the day's first.
Morwell set their unfortunate tone in front of goal not long after when ruck Isaac Abas missed a set shot from 15 metres out, only for Stewart to again mark and goal moments later to take full toll.
Vinnie Caia made it three from a holding the ball free kick, pumping his first in celebration and roaring to his teammates.
While Abas made up for his previous miss to get Morwell on the board, goals to Stewart again and Isaac Wallace after the quarter time break gave the Gulls a fair lead to play with.
Morwell threatened to work their way into the game after a goal to coach Boyd Bailey put them within 15 points. But the Gulls responded in turn, consecutive majors from Zac Stewart, Jordan Stewart and Nettle on the run put their lead out beyond 30 points at the main break.
And when Caleb McIntosh and Will Hayes booted the first two of the third term, suddenly Warragul were in the box seat for their third consecutive win.
Morwell gave some resistance, namely through spearhead Brandon McDonald finally hitting the scoreboard in the last.
Despite that, it was Warragul's day, as finals now become a more realistic chance for the club.
With a match to come this week against Sale, who they thumped by 69 points last time around, momentum is building around the boys in red and black.
Morwell, meanwhile, are going to be up against it when they host reigning premiers Traralgon to try and keep touch with the five.
Coach Jed Lamb was delighted with his side's form, declaring it was an exciting position for his team to be in.
"The boys were huge. We spoke before the game about how important it was. We got a big touch up last time in the midfield and clearances and we turned that around to our advantage," he said.
"I've been saying to the boys don't get too high, don't get too low. Don't take for granted the position we're in, it's a really exciting opportunity and it's been a long time since we've had something to play for this deep into a season."
Bairnsdale vs Drouin
A high-scoring affair at Bairnsdale didn't go Drouin's way as the Hawks were overrun by 45 points.
Kicking goals wasn't an issue for either side throughout the day but it was the home side who made the most of their opportunities, consigning Drouin to a 15.6 (96) to 21.15 (141) defeat.
Transition footy was the name of the game as the Redlegs used the width of their home ground to full advantage, punishing the Hawks whenever they turned the ball over.
Couple that with a strong effort from the Bairnsdale engine room that often had the Hawks overcommitting players to the tackle and leaving Redlegs free on the outside and they were able to leave Drouin scrambling despite the Hawks' competitive efforts.
Injuries to captain Jarrod Marshall and Blake Bibby didn't help things, leaving the Hawks a few down on the bench by the end.
Kyron Smith was the most impressive of the Hawks players, taking eight marks and booting three goals in his finest effort up forward for the seniors yet.
Smith has dealt with a number of serious injuries throughout his extremely young career but has gained confidence in recent weeks to leap at the ball when given the chance.
Jacob Obernhumer impressed on his senior debut, having earned a call-up to the wing after just two games in the under 18s.
Kaden Gregg's development in his own wing role took another solid step forward, Ben Tranfield held up well in the backline, Seb Amoroso's tenacity and determination around the ball was on display and Kye Quirk (30 disposals) worked his way into the day despite copping a tag.
For the Redlegs Tyran Rees (29 disposals, eight clearances) was the standout, hurting the Hawks on both the inside and outside.
Will Mitchell (37 disposals, 20 contested possessions) joined in his efforts at the contest, getting in and under and dishing out the ball time and time again as Cooper Harvey ran riot along the wide expanses of Bairnsdale City Oval.
Josh Wykes, Tom Blenheim and Lachlan Byrne-Jones were all equally as excellent in a commanding win for their team.
Bairnsdale took to the field sporting a slightly different look, wearing an orange sash in place of their traditional red one to mark the league's Orange Round, raising awareness around and encouraging people to push back against violence against women in the community.
The two teams traded blows early in the day as the Hawks took a slender lead halfway through the first after a nice checkside goal to big Denver Lund and an accurate shot from Ben Brasier.
The Redlegs took over from thereafter, however, finishing the first term with four consecutive goals to sit 23 points ahead on quarter time.
Goals to Smith and Lund straight after the break put Drouin back in touch only for the Redlegs to resume their assault straight out of the middle, finding a response through Damon O'Connor.
Bairnsdale were gradually able to build a lead despite pockets of Hawks resistance and, trailing by 44 points at the final change of ends, Drouin coach Leigh Horsburgh decided to release the shackles and tell his troops to go all-out attack.
It worked to a degree as the Hawks finished the game with five fourth quarter goals, Bairnsdale the same.
It's a win the Redlegs needed to keep in touch with the top five, however faintly. A trip to Parrot Park this week, however, doesn't promise much in the way of good times on paper.
Speaking post-game, Horsburgh said there was more to take out of the game than the first time the Hawks played Bairnsdale in round two, where they lost by 48 points.
"We wanted to get improvement and we got that, even if it was only slightly in terms of the margin. We actually put a score on the board which was pleasing," he said.
"They were the better side on the day. They moved the ball better, their inside 50s were much more potent.
"For our young guys it's all about experience. The more games they get under their belt the better they'll get...there's a lot more positives for us than there were last time."
Cover Image: Wazshots
