
By Nicholas Duck
Five became four in the Gippsland League as one side farewelled their hopes of September glory.
Meanwhile, one of the league's best held on for the grittiest of victories – at a cost.
Here's what you may have missed this week.
Traralgon vs Moe
Moe have set up a date with Leongatha next week courtesy of a hard-fought grind of a win over Traralgon.
The 6.7 (43) to 5.9 (39) victory came at a cost however, with Moe coach and key tall Declan Keilty failing to play out the day beyond the second quarter following a leg injury. Keilty will reportedly miss two weeks with the injury, meaning he would be available only for the grand final should Moe qualify.
The Lions did it tough for much of the day and particularly late as the Maroons dominated the inside 50 count for vast stretches, leaving the Moe backline under siege. In the final minutes it seemed a matter of if and not when Traralgon would score the all-important goal to move ahead. Instead it never came, the Lions' defence holding firm even without their leader to send their side through to a second semi final clash with Leongatha.
Backmen Scott van Dyk, Luke Mulqueen and Ben Maslen were all immense for Moe, standing up when required.
Riley and Trent Baldi, the latter on return from injury, were equally as effective through the middle, going toe to toe with Traralgon's engine room, while big man Chris Prowse played a steady hand in the ruck.
Traralgon will be left to rue a missed chance here. Blustery conditions didn't help their case, but had their taken some of their opportunities in front of goal or been able to generate shots late they wouldn't have to fight for their lives next week in a sudden death final with Wonthaggi.
Tye Hourigan starred for the Maroons in roles both back and forward. If they could clone him to have him at both ends at once, boy would they be tough to beat.
Luis D'Angelo, Jackson McMahon, Tristen Waack, Jordan Cunico and Chance Doultree rounded out their best.
Wonthaggi vs Sale
Wonthaggi's premiership hopes are alive following a wild and windy win over Sale in Sunday's elimination final.
Spectators parked near the goalposts at Bairnsdale City Oval may have been a tad worries about their cars, such was the strength of the breeze that the posts were seen swaying fairly vigorously throughout the day.
It led to a game that wasn't one for the replays, but Wonthaggi likely couldn't care less as they powered through the Magpies 6.13 (49) to 3.6 (24).
Despite the torrid conditions and the low scores that followed, the Power looked fairly in control for much of the day, keeping their opposition to just one goal until halfway through the final term.
Star midfielder Ryan Sparkes was the main driving force behind this, putting on a genuine virtuoso performance as he racked up a scarcely believable 50 disposals, as well as contributing on the scoreboard with a goal in the third term.
At times he looked even faster than the wind when he had the footy. That's just how dominant he was.
Outside of Sparkes it was the likes of Shannon Bray, Fergus O'Connor, Joshua Bates, Isaac Chugg and Jarryd Blair getting the job done in a fairly comprehensive performance.
They're a genuine smoky now, the Power, and you'd have to say they're every chance of sending Traralgon out in straight sets next week should they keep up their current form.
For Sale it's a real 'almost' kind of a year.
The Magpies showed glimpses of excellent footy throughout the season. In equal measure, however, they had games where they struggled to put it all together.
A loss here feels like a fair ending for them. Magpies fans can't really be blamed if they've been left wondering what could have been if not for the wind though.
Their best were Hudson Holmes, Shannen Lange – who appears destined for another Trood Award and Rodda Medal – Derek Eggmolesse-Smith, Andrew Campbell, Will Leslie and Patrick Tainsh.
Article provided by the Warragul & Drouin Gazette
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