By Nicholas Duck
One side broke into the top five for the very first time this season on Saturday as a mini-elimination final turned into one-way traffic.
Here's what you might have missed this week.
Wonthaggi vs Bairnsdale
Wonthaggi has put Bairnsdale's season on life support and resuscitated their own in the process with a thumping 79-point win at home.
The Power are into the top five for the first time this season following the 17.10 (112) to 4.9 (33) pounding – their sixth victory in seven matches.
There was plenty on the line for both sides given they came into Saturday sitting at eight and seven. And now following the result you'd have to say the Power are the odds-on favourite for another finals appearance.
Wonthaggi kicked nine goals to none across the second and third quarters, Bairnsdale stuck on one major until the final term as they looked utterly shellshocked.
Power big man Jakeb Thomas reigned supreme for the home side along with Cooper McInnes (five goals), Isaac Chugg and Jye Gilmour.
The longest road trip in the Gippsland League is going to feel that much longer for the Redlegs, who have now slid to seventh.
With Leongatha on the horizon next week, it's safe to say their hopes of breaking their finals drought are all but gone.
Hugh Longbottom, Lachlan Cloak, Cooper Harvey and Ethan East tried hard for them all day.
Sale vs Leongatha
A 10-goal head start ensured Leongatha wouldn't be dropping a second consecutive game as they swept aside a spluttering Sale side.
Coming off their third loss of the season last week, the Parrots thumped through the first 10 majors of the day, allowing them to ease their way to victory 12.17 (89) to 7.11 (53).
With their finals chances on the line, the Magpies were left to lament their wayward kicking in front of goal as they wasted chance after chance to leave them suffering death by a thousand behinds.
The Magpies kicked into gear in the second half where they outscored the Parrots 6.3 to 2.9, but the size of the deficit meant it was all for naught.
They've now slipped back outside the top five thanks to Wonthaggi's resurgence, making next Saturday's match against Morwell a true blockbuster.
Leongatha will happily take a win in champion Tom Marriott's 200th game for the club as they once again showed that they just don't lose two in a row.
Cade Maskell, Jenson Garnham, Timothy Sauvarin and Benjamin Willis were all excellent for the Parrots, while the Magpies were well served by Jarrod Freeman, Hudson Holmes, Derek Eggmolesse-Smith and Will Leslie.
Moe vs Maffra
Moe have maintained second position on the ladder after a hard-fought win over a persistent Maffra.
The Lions certainly didn't have it all their way throughout the day as the Eagles refused to go away before the home side eventually prevailed 13.18 (96) to 11.5 (71).
A third quarter burst pushed the Lions out to a 27-point lead at three quarter time and looking safe after a fierce first half from the visitors.
Maffra weren't done though, kicking the first three goals of the final term to draw within 11 points. That was until Moe steadied with the last two of the day to breathe a sigh of relief at the final buzzer.
Big man Nick Prowse (four goals) was instrumental up forward as Jacob Balfour, Brock Smith, Trent Baldi and Harrison Sim all had days to remember.
They're not bad, those Eagles.
Certainly better than their two wins would suggest and, compared to the bottom sides in other local leagues, are more than competitive.
Give them some more time and they'll like their chances of moving back up the table.
Zach Felsbourg, Alex Carr – enjoying a stellar run of form – Jett Killoran and Seth Smith were their best.
Traralgon vs Drouin
Defence is overrated, anyway.
Drouin has gone done swinging against Traralgon in one of the wildest matches in recent Gippsland League history, with 40 goals kicked between the two teams.
It was a forward's paradise at Terry Hunter Oval as the ball pinged around at high speed, offering plenty of time, space and, most importantly, scores.
At the end, a match of violent swings in momentum finished with Traralgon on top 22.7 (139) to 18.5 (113).
Drouin were made to lament a slow start where they conceded the first five goals of the day, leaving them to try and work their way back into the game from the get go – something they did with surprising aplomb more than once.
The Hawks actually trailed by 50 points or more on multiple occasions, pegging back the lead before being blown out again by a rush of Maroons majors.
Seb Amoroso was the most threatening player for the Hawks, moving though the midfield and forward line to win 26 disposals and boot a career-high four goals, making him a genuine threat no matter where he was on the field.
Drouin fill-in coach Eddie Morris, subbing in for Brent Clinnick due to illness, was similarly electric, winning the ball through the middle before booting three goals in the final term.
Big man Jacob Sandman gave his midfielders consistent first use in the ruck, Jordan Kingi's sublime form off half back showed no signs of slowing down and Dan Clebney played an effective role on Maroon Chance Doultree, keeping him to one goal.
Traralgon was well-served by half back Joel Scholtes, who was the starting point for many of the Maroons' signature slingshots from the backline.
Sammy Hallyburton played well off a wing, while Daniel McKenna (five goals), Jordan Cunico and captain Dylan Loprese fought well.
An early injury to Traralgon ruck Jacob van Iwaarden left the Hawks with a rare advantage in the ruck against part-timer Loprese, giving them plenty of say at the clearances which they won by 14 across the day.
Much of the game followed a familiar story of Drouin winning the ball forward from the contest and either a) scoring or b) turning it over and having Traralgon fling it from back to forward in an instant for a Maroons goal.
Defence was seemingly optional for most of the day as two offensively-minded teams went at it, the Maroons clearly missing Tye Hourigan as their marshal down back.
It made for some very watchable footy – that is unless you're a defensive coach.
The Hawks looked to be in for a long day early, when they could hardly make a dent in the Traralgon defence.
The home side piled on five early majors, the first three of which went to an irrepressible McKenna.
Drouin skipper Jarrod Marshall fired back with consecutive goals followed by a similar brace from Cody Fleming to get the Hawks back into the game.
From there, the Maroons returned fire, eight consecutive goals putting them 56 points up halfway through the second quarter, until Amoroso broke that run with a mark and goal on the lead from 40 metres.
The Hawks refused to go away, four quickfire goals before half time bringing the margin back to 31 at the main break.
It was less a game of footy and more table tennis at times, such was the speed both sides were putting on the ball when they looked to attack.
The Maroons had the better of the third term with five goals to Drouin's one, again pressing their advantage to beyond 50 points.
The visitors again didn't give in, the move of Morris to the forward line paying dividends as they came home with a wet sail, drawing to within 19 points before the time – and a late steadier for Traralgon – beat them.
For Drouin, it was a far cry from some of the dour messes they've had to play on their mudpit of a home ground in recent weeks, Morris even saying post-match that the players had remarked they "remembered how fun footy can be."
Unfortunately for them, they have one more match left at Drouin after this week's bye, against Wonthaggi, before a final match with Leongatha to end Clinnick's time at the helm.
They may not have won the day but hey, if a potential recruit was watching what they can do on Saturday, it may be worth it in the long term.
Warragul vs Morwell
A wasteful Warragul has been made to regret some early misses in a 45-point loss to Morwell at home.
The Gulls controlled large parts of the game early but just couldn't make the most of their chances before the visitors kicked away with 11 second half goals.
Their half time scoreline of 2.8 made for some difficult reading, giving the Tigers plenty of room to pounce.
Young Lucas Carter performed best for the Gulls putting in some massive efforts defensively when required.
Lane Ward's ability to win the ball through the middle was on display while veteran Brad Hefford impressed.
Jack Lewsey racked up disposals off half back and through the middle as per usual, Mitch Smart won hit outs at will and Sean Masterson impressed both down back and up forward.
For Morwell, it was Brandon Mcauliffe getting the job done through the midfield with some impressive efforts at the contest.
Vice-captain Zachary Anderson was a wall in defence as Judah Leak, Burkeley Macfarlane and Blake Couling all helped the Tigers along the way.
In what was a difficult slog for most of the day, the visitors were able to break the shackles late, kicking eight goals in the final term to slam the door on the Gulls after the latter had left it ajar earlier.
Early goals to Lane Ward and Caleb McIntosh had the home fans up and about in the first 10 minutes.
That was until the Gulls began struggling to connect forward of centre, often missing targets inside 50 and resulting in rushed kicks at goal or spoils from Tigers defenders.
A couple of defensive turnovers allowed the Tigers to bite back with goals to Riley Loprese and Boyd Bailey before quarter time and cutting Warragul's lead to three.
Both teams put up the defensive wall in the second, the only goal of the term coming after the Tigers found the overlap handball to allow Cohen Campbell to walk into an open goal.
The Gulls had their chances again but often let themselves down, whether it be through poor kicking, handballing or decision making.
Past half time, Gulls' coach Jed Lamb swung the magnets around, sending intercept marking defender Masterson forward.
It worked a treat, with Masterson swinging around from 50 metres on the boundary line to slot a magnificent goal to regain the lead for Warragul.
Morwell took their turn to waste some opportunities, before consecutive goals to Tom Smith, Cody MacDonald and Brandon McDonald gave them a 14-point advantage.
Masterson popped up again just before three quarter time, clunking a heavily contested mark in front of goal and kicking truly to keep his side in the hunt.
Warragul's hopes of a comeback were quickly dashed, however, when the Tigers burst out the front of the first ball-up in the last quarter to allow Campbell a goal on the run.
Further goals to Tyler Brown and MacDonald quickly put the game beyond reach.
A dangerous tackle on Gull Kai MacLean caused tempers to fray as yellow cards were handed out to both sides.
Emotions ran high until late in the game when the Warragul runner was handed a red card and sent off following words with an umpire.
That anger was matched only by the Tigers' joy at having buried the Gulls late, lifting them back into fourth position with two games remaining.
Those two matches are going to be blockbuster stuff – firstly against Sale, a side desperate to take their spot in the top five, and then Traralgon with whom Morwell played out one of the most thrilling draws in Gippsland League history earlier this season.
No matter how it goes, their destiny is in their own hands.
For Warragul, it's about building for 2025.
Injuries to key players like Lamb and Tom Hobbs have dimmed the Gulls a bit, but they've been a more competitive unit this year.
A week off will do them nicely before clashes with Moe and Maffra end their campaign.
Article provided by the Warragul & Drouin Gazette
