Finals football delivered everything over the weekend – heartbreak, jubilation and a reminder of just how fine the margins are in September. Morwell survived a furious Warragul comeback to claim a five-point elimination final classic, while Traralgon’s premiership defence stayed on track with a gritty nine-point triumph over Moe in the qualifying final.
By Nicholas Duck
Morwell vs Warragul
Sometimes it's all over in a flash.
Sunday's elimination final ended in devastation for Warragul as they were defeated by Morwell in heartbreaking fashion by just five points.
After trailing by 30 points at quarter time at Wonthaggi the Gulls clawed and scraped their way back to within a goal, knowing there was no tomorrow if they lost.
Missed shots and wasted chances ultimately cruelled their comeback however, ending their season with a gut-wrenching 7.13 (55) to 9.6 (60) defeat.
Warragul's first quarter was what ended up costing them. There were clearly plenty of nerves surrounding the club's first final since 2016 and the Gulls were eager – over eager.
A combination of ill-discipline and structural breakdown made the first term a breeze for the Tigers, who found way too much space on the outside of contests and were waltzing the ball away as they pleased.
So rattled were the Gulls that at one centre bounce they lined up with one too many forwards and didn't have a wing.
As the day wore on Warragul settled, winning key contests through the middle and down back even as they were untidy in front of goal.
The Gulls had a chance to even the scores late when outgoing coach Jed Lamb marked a rushed kick 45 metres out straight in front.
Lamb's shot went wide, the siren sounding minutes later much to the anguish of the Warragul players and supporters.
Nobody can say they didn't fight it out.
Leading that fight was Isaac Wallace, whose efforts in the midfield and up forward were more than commendable.
Wallace was a one-man wrecking ball, at times a necessary one after VFL recruit Will Hayes left the ground hobbling on an injured leg in the second term. Add to that a relatively quiet day from star on-baller Tom Hobbs, who never quite looked at ease after leaving the field sore during last week's Western Derby, and a lot was put on Wallace's shoulders.
Helping him out was ruck Sam Whibley, who bounced back from being well held in the first half to exert plenty of influence in the second.
High-flying backmen Lucas Carter and Sean Masterson played major roles in keeping the scoreboard from blowing out, particularly early.
Riley Senini and Koby Grass rounded out Warragul's top performers, helping Wallace pick up the slack in the middle after quarter time as the Gulls made their run.
For Morwell it was Harrison McColl down back who was the standout, putting in the work alongside Aidan Quigley to keep Gulls spearhead Jordan Stewart quiet.
Anthony Rosato was a human wrecking ball wherever he went, kicking one of the goals of the season early when he gathered the ball, bounced right off a Warragul opposition player and slotted a beauty in open play.
Burkely Macfarlane showed plenty of class, as did Blake Couling and Sam Walsh in a famous win for Morwell.
It's been a long time since the Tigers have tasted victory in a final, dating back to the 2014 grand final.
The ferocity they displayed, especially in a pressure-filled first quarter, should hold them in good stead in one of the more open premiership races the Gippsland League has seen in recent years.
From the first bounce the Tigers' intent was clear, cheered on by a raucous travelling contingent of fans.
Conversely, alarm bells were ringing in the Warragul camp at the ease with which Morwell were able to find space to put their lethal kicking skills to work.
Macfarlane began the scoring for the day, the Tigers opening up the Gulls on transition several times and getting some quality looks.
Tiger tough man Tyler Hillier went back-to-back from close range and Sam Walsh added to it with a classy finish.
Warragul weren't overly in the umpires' good graces for the term but were clearly not helping their own cause, worrying about playing the man more than the ball on more than one occasion.
By the time Rosato let out a roar following his sterling effort, there was a sense of panic from the Gulls as the scoreboard read 5.1 to one behind.
Lamb brought his troops in at quarter time, urging some calm and to go back to the processes that had brought them this far.
Clearly they listened, a quick Hobbs clearance from the first centre bounce of the second landing in Zac Stewart's lap for Warragul's first major.
Hayes departed the game after coming down on his leg awkwardly in a tackle and was seen limping around gingerly at the end of the game.
Outside of a Lamb goal the Gulls peppered the big sticks for much of the rest of the quarter, finally looking threatening when they took the game on through the middle.
Those missed chances looked set to haunt them when Joshua Galea threaded the thinnest of needles from the boundary to start the second half.
From there the teams went back and forth, Warragul twice goaling minutes after Morwell put one through.
Tom Stern enjoyed a highlight when he claimed possession, shrugged a tackle and ran one in.
A misguided kick out of full back by Patrick Mulqueen gave Isaac Abas a chance to give the Tigers some breathing space before three quarter time, despite some late shots by the Gulls that missed the mark.
Trailing by 15 at the final change it seemed like curtains for Warragul when a floating Joshua Galea set shot was called good by the goal umpire, despite the protests of the Gull defenders.
Now 20 points down nobody would have batted an eye if Warragul had rolled over, but the 2025 edition hasn't been one to call it quits.
Lamb clunked a strong mark and converted inside 50 and five minutes later a holding the ball decision went Warragul's way, allowing Jordan Stewart to take advantage at point blank range.
Rory Nettle launched a goal-saving tackle on Cody MacDonald when it looked like the latter was going to run one in, allowing the Gulls to rebound and hit up Jordan Stewart in the pocket.
Stewart's shot went wide, putting the deficit at one straight kick and bringing on dreams of an extra time classic.
As time ticked down, Koby Grass rifled one forward into Lamb's hands, the Gulls coach not quite able to put things back on level terms.
It wasn't long after that the siren sounded on a short 26-minute quarter, putting the Morwell players into jubilant celebrations.
The Tigers will rate their chances against Moe next week, having knocked them off in round 16.
For Warragul it's a case of what might have been. Their best could challenge anyone, but it's now time to head to the off-season and plot what comes next as Lamb steps down as coach after three years.
One thing's for sure - if the Gulls can keep this squad together and add some pieces, it shouldn't take another nine years for them to play finals again.
Traralgon vs Moe
Traralgon moved a step closer to defending their premiership thanks to a gritty nine-point win over Moe in Saturday's qualifying final at Maffra.
Playing off for a shot at Leongatha in this week's second semi, the Maroons and Lions played out a hard-fought contest where neither side gave an inch.
A comfortable lead escaped both teams throughout the day as they traded blows, the Maroons eventually walking away winners 7.14 (56) to 6.11 (47).
Heading into the final term Traralgon led by a solitary point, having trailed by as much as 13 earlier in the day.
Stoppage after stoppage followed in the last along with a few behinds, until Hugh Dunbar flew for a towering mark inside Traralgon's forward line, kicking truly from 20 metres on an angle to give his team some breathing space.
That would end up being the only goal of the quarter, giving the Maroons safe passage through.
Prior to that it was a starring effort from defenders Joel Scholtes and Tye Hourigan, whose aerial exploits made easy routes to goal nigh impossible for the Lions.
Luis D'Angelo, Jackson McMahon, Dunbar and Connor Ambler were the other Traralgon players lifting them to victory.
Now on a five-game winning streak, the Maroons' grand final rematch this week promises to be a cracker.
Moe turn their attention to a do-or-die home final against Morwell, who they were beaten by just weeks ago.
A few of their returning players looked underdone, meaning an eight-day break won't be the worst thing in the world for them.
The pacey Max Woodall was their top performer, along with Harrison Sim, Scott van Dyk, Aaron Paxton, Myles Poholke and Liam Masters.
