By Nick Duck
Warragul vs Wonthaggi
The Gulls are off to a flier in 2025 after holding on for a wild and windy thriller of a one-point win over 2024 finalist Wonthaggi.
In an absolutely wild day weather-wise at the Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve the swings in momentum were equally as crazy before the Gulls were ultimately able to hang on 12.6 (78) to 11.11 (77).
Silky skills and precision kicking weren't exactly top of the agenda as a powerful wind favoured one end of the ground. You may have heard of a four or five goal breeze before. How about a seven-goal breeze?
After kicking with the wind in the first the Gulls had booted a scarcely believable seven goals to none to lead by 45 points at the first change of ends. Yes, you read that right. Seven goals.
But then it was Wonthaggi's turn to cash in as they struck back with their own seven-goal run to reduce the margin to just one at half time. Yes, you read that right as well.
Just one goal was kicked against the wind for the day, meaning if you'd gotten in for an early parking spot and picked the wrong end you may have been wishing you had binoculars.
A less than ideal third term had the Gulls in front by only 24 points headed into the last before they were forced to defend for their lives, dealing with inside 50 after inside 50.
Despite not registering a score for the quarter they were able to just barely pull it off, the siren sounding with Warragul in front by a single point.
It's the second time in as many years the Gulls have knocked off the Power in round one after they did the same last year.
It's worth noting though the match was one, a home game for Warragul and two, featured a heavily depleted Wonthaggi team that struggled to make much of an impact early in the year. This time it was a different story, and for Warragul a vitally important scalp as they develop.
Most of the work was done in the midfield as contested bulls Isaac Wallace (eight contested possessions) and Tom Hobbs (17 contested possessions) took no prisoners. They also found a partner in crime in recruit James Harrison (21 disposals), giving the Gulls a brutally tough group through the middle - especially with the welcome return of ruck Sam Whibley, who missed all of 2024 through injury.
Young forwards Tom Stern and Vinnie Caia (two goals each) were lively, as was up and comer Riley Senini.
For Wonthaggi big man Shannon Bray fought the good fight all day, as did Jye Gilmore and midfielder Joshua Bates. Superstar Ryan Sparkes (31 disposals) was a major factor, as were Jarryd Blair and Joshua Schulz.
With the wind at their backs at the first bounce, it didn't take long for Warragul to strike the first blow. A Power kick out of the backline landed straight into senior debutant Keenan Boi's hands as he manned the mark, the young goal sneak making his opponent pay as he sent it sailing through from just inside 50m.
It was an early sign the Gulls could do no wrong in the opener as they rained goal after goal, many from some ludicrous spots.
Boi especially wasn't done pumping up his highlight reel as he at one stage paddled a loose ball hard against the boundary line just inside 50 before picking it up, slipping a tackle and threading the needle from an absurd angle.
Wonthaggi could hardly make any territory when they had possession and as the Warragul midfielders ran rampant, the gale had the Gulls well on top. Nothing made that clearer than a set shot goal from Jack Casson, who launched the ball from inside the centre square only for the ball to almost clear the fence.
Come the second quarter, however, and the shoe was on the other foot.
Now it was Warragul struggling to make an impact as Wonthaggi launched their own onslaught, Joshua Bates getting them off and running with a major from the pocket.
By half time the Gulls had seen their lead cut to just one point as they knew they were going to need a big effort in the third.
The Power were out to make sure the sequel wasn't quite going to be like the original though.
While the Gulls clearly had the better of the term they only found five goals this time and even conceded the only goal of the day booted up the other end when Cooper McInnes found space to run one in.
Poor discipline didn't help the Power's case at times, like when a frustrated shove after a holding the ball call handed Tom Stern a 50-metre penalty and the easiest of finishes.
Still, the Gulls went into the final change of ends just four goals up – seemingly well short of what they would need.
As expected the Power came hard in the last though wasted some opportunities plus grim defending from the Gulls made life harder for them.
It wasn't until close to 30 minutes had expired that a snap from Jai Williams drew them to within two points with the Gulls holding on for dear life.
More than five minutes of tense football played out to finish the game in a fairly extended quarter it must be said. A late shot from Harry Dawson threatened to steal the game for the Power but it wasn't to be, the Gulls holding on for a famous win – not that they knew it at first.
It was a rather muted reaction from Warragul at first after there was some confusion as to whether the scoreboard was right or if the scores were actually level. It wasn't until the Gulls were assured that yes, they were in front, that they were able to finally celebrate.
Warragul senior coach Jed Lamb said it was "probably the best win I've been involved in since my time at the club."
"We've been involved in a few close ones against good teams without getting one. It was nice to get one to go our way," he said.
"In those last few minutes a minute felt like 10. I was just wanting the siren to go, like please just go already. I couldn't be happier. The belief it gives the young group is just huge."
Drouin vs Morwell
Drouin's 2025 tour of Gippsland is off to an inauspicious start following a sizeable loss to Morwell.
The noticeable younger Hawks unit's first match under new coach Leigh Horsburgh began promisingly with three first quarter goals to the home side's one.
As the day wore on, however, the more experienced Tigers took control around the ground and on the scoreboard, the floodgates opening late as Drouin were downed 7.11 (53) to 22.10 (142).
With the Hawks forced to rejig their senior side following an exodus of their star talent over the off-season it was a vastly different side to the one they last named.
Twelve players in the side's starting 22 had played fewer than 10 games, with five of them on debut in the Gippsland League's top flight.
And it showed at times as Drouin's mistakes were happily accepted by a ruthless Morwell team that refused to take the foot off the throat once they found the ascendancy, kicking 11 goals in the final term alone.
There was a bit of Jekyll and Hyde about the Hawks. If you just watched their first and third quarters you'd think they were going alright. If you tuned in only for the second and fourth though? Not so much.
Too often past quarter time Drouin's execution was found wanting as they missed targets with the blustery conditions likely playing a role.
A kick slightly too short here, a handball slightly too wide there and it added up, with the Tigers cashing in on their turnovers to full effect.
The third quarter saw them stem the flow on the scoreboard but without that reward up the other end, some heads dropped by the time the final term rolled around.
Aden Quirk (31 disposals) put in a power of work through the middle to be Drouin's best for the day, refusing to give an inch even when things were at their most dire.
Young Zachary McMillan got the full tour of Morwell Recreation Reserve as he was deployed everywhere from the wing to the backline to even the ruck at times, putting in a strong effort wherever he went.
Two-time reigning best and fairest Kye Quirk was his usual quality self with 34 touches, as were Caleb Quirk and Box Hill Hawk Seb Amoroso, while new backman Ben Tranfield was solid.
For Morwell big man Isaac Abas was everywhere, giving the midfield silver service while also floating forward for two goals.
Playing coach Boyd Bailey (28 disposals, four goals) was lethal with ball in hand, as was spearhead Brandon McDonald (four goals).
Cody Macdonald, Tyler Hillier and Brandon Mcauliffe were all strong as well.
The gulf in experience between the named sides was a major factor in the final result, but based on the way the game began you wouldn't have known it.
Despite conceding the first goal early through Tiger Tom Gray, the Hawks were up for the fight, limiting Morwell's attacking ability before striking their own blows.
New Hawk Riley Wierzbicki got them going, grabbing a loose ball before turning and letting one through from distance on the run before Max Williames and Kyron Smith capitalised courtesy of 50-metre penalties.
Heading into the second term there was plenty of reason for optimism from the Hawks – before it was quickly snuffed out.
Five straight Morwell majors in the first 10 minutes of the quarter had the visitors scrambling for answers. The Tigers kicked two more before the Hawks found a desperately needed steadier from Amoroso on the eve of half time from a free kick.
A much better effort in the third had its moments for Drouin as they sought to work their back into the game but too often that final kick inside 50 let them down.
By the time the fourth term arrived the young Hawks didn't have much left in them as the Tigers ran rampant, McDonald in particular enjoying the term with three goals by himself.
Speaking post-game Horsburgh said the loss was a good experience for the club's younger players.
"It's a learning curve for the guys. They've had a taste, they know what they need to compete at that level," he said,
While disappointed with his side's drop-off late, Horsburgh was taking positives away from the match.
"The things that we did wrong are things that we control and we can fix. We had six goals against from free kicks, 12 directly from turnovers. We had 10 or so set shots from 40 to 50 metres that just fell short or missed. If we can fix some of that we'll be much better off.
"Overall we showed glimpses of what we want and what we want Drouin to look like."
A grand final rematch highlighted week one of the Gippsland League while a fierce rivalry enjoyed another storied chapter.
Here's what you might have missed this week.
Traralgon vs Leongatha
It was a case of early season revenge for Leongatha as they claimed the chocolates against Traralgon in their grand final rematch.
While a round one win can hardly compare to the glory of a premiership, the Parrots will no doubt be happy to have ticked off their first challenge of season 2025, kicking the first four goals of the day en route to a 9.11 (65) to 7.6 (48) victory in Saturday's twilight fixture.
The return of hometown hero Dyson Heppell was a highlight for the green and gold as the former Essendon captain starred around the ground, joining his brother Aaron for the first time.
Heppell has committed to playing for the Parrots when he isn't required for his VFL side Port Melbourne.
Outside of that one-way onslaught early the rest of the match proved to be quite even, as expected between last year's top two teams.
The Maroons, left on the back foot early, did their earnest to work their way back into the contest, even drawing to within 10 points early in the last.
It was the expected names doing the damage too, as stars Luis D'Angelo and Tye Hourigan did everything to will their team forward. In the end the deficit was too much to overcome as Leongatha picked up an important first four points of the season.
It certainly wasn't the way the Maroons wanted to begin their premiership defence, though they'll take some solace out of their efforts past quarter time where they outscored the Parrots 7.4 to 5.8.
With another challenging fixture to come next week against Moe, a better start will be top of the agenda.
Kim Drew, Tom Marriott, former Warragul and Buln Buln player Patrick Ireland, Timothy Sauverin, Dyson Heppell and Hayden Lindsay were named Leongatha's best.
D'Angelo, Hourigan, Hugh Dunbar, Connor Ambler, Mitchell Mustoe and Thomas McMahon were Traralgon's top players.
Bairnsdale vs Moe
Moe have been left to count the injury cost of an at times uncomfortable 45-point win away over Bairnsdale.
New coach Leigh Poholke, star swingman Declan Keilty and important big man Nick Prowse all failed to play out the day as the Lions kicked away late to see off the plucky Redlegs 13.9 (87) to 6.6 (42) on a blustery day at Bairnsdale.
While they led for the entire day the visitors certainly didn't have it all their, however, with Bairnsdale nipping at their heels at every turn.
It wasn't until past three-quarter time where they led by just 14 points that the Lions were able to flip the switch, booting five unanswered goals to finally put the Redlegs to the sword. Leigh Poholke, despite his late injury, was at least able to exact maximum damage before heading off the field with five goals to lead all comers.
His brother and ex-AFL talent Myles was similarly effective through the middle, ably filling the Riley Baldi-shaped hole in that area.
Joining Myles as a former-AFL player making his debut for the club was ex-Magpie and Crow Ben Crocker, who kicked two goals.
Chris Prowse, Brock Smith, Thomas Blackshaw, Aaron Paxton and Harrison Pepper all played well for the Lions also.
New Bairnsdale coach Kane Ashwood would no doubt have been proud of his side's resolve up until the floodgates opened in the fourth quarter.
At times the Lions looked prime to run away with the game much earlier only to find themselves reeled back in by a steely Redlegs outfit.
Still, they come away having kicked just six goals and will have plenty to work on should they want to challenge for finals after the departure of star swingman Logan Austin.
Their best were Ethan East, Hugh Longbottom, Cooper Harvey, Oscar Pike, Lachlan Cloak and Joshua Lando.
Sale vs Maffra
There was no love lost in Sunday's Battle of the Birds as Maffra scored a great 10-point win to get their season off to a brilliant start.
Last year's wooden spooners were up for the fight – at times literally in a few scuffles – against their old enemy, booting six of the last seven goals to secure a famous victory 13.10 (88) to 10.18 (78).
Things were rather tense throughout the match as neither side could quite shake the other for most of the day.
The Eagles, sporting a young side as they continue to build, showed a similar level of pluck and dare that made them a dangerous proposition last year despite their standing.
Now one off-season later it's looking like they're even more of a threat.
When the Magpies had kicked the first goal of the last the margin was out to 19 and it was looking like game over. If that was the script, however, Maffra didn't read it.
The Eagles overran their bitter rivals from therein, using their fitness to their advantage to pour in goal after goal as an avalanche ensued.
Young star Noah Christy led from the front for Maffra, as did Jack McQuillen (four goals). Both players featured heavily in the club's under 18s side last year as the Eagles put faith in their future.
Lachlan Allman, Thomas Scott, Zach Felsbourg and Judd Burgiel rounded out their best. Sale will be ruing this one and will surely be reviewing how they would be so overwhelmed late in the day.
Shannen Lange gave it his all in a sterling performance but simply needed more help.
Will Leslie, Cooper Whitehill, Ashton Wright (playing against his former club), Lachie Ronchi and Kane Cutler were their better performers.
Article provided by Nick Duck of the Warragul & Drouin Gazette
Images provided by Wazshots
