By Nicholas Duck
A rollercoaster final round finally gave us our five finalists on the weekend as one team had to settle for sixth place.
Here's what you might have missed last week.
Wonthaggi vs Moe
It's official: watch out for Wonthaggi come finals.
The Power officially stamped their pass to the post-season thanks to a hard-fought victory over top three side Moe at home.
Goals came at a premium for both teams in a tough, finals-like battle, before it was the home side who prevailed 8.8 (56) to 7.4 (46).
Win and you're in was the equation for the Power, who stepped up to the task with plenty of grit.
Neither team was able to create much of a break scoreboard-wise – 16 points Wonthaggi's way in the fourth was the largest deficit of the day.
The Power's return of 3.5 to 2.0 in the third term proved to be decisive as they were able to maintain their advantage in the final quarter, holding off any potential challenges from the Lions.
Former-Collingwood rookie Isaac Chugg combined effectively with current Collingwood VFL player Ryan Sparkes, giving the Power the edge over a Lions engine room sorely missing Riley Baldi.
Skipper Joshua Bates threw himself at everything, as did the crafty Jack Blair.
Wonthaggi, having lost four of their first five games this year, are suddenly primed to be a dark horse in the race for the flag.
They might not have a double chance, but with eight wins from their final nine matches they're one of the form teams of the competition. Keep an eye on them in weeks to come.
Moe won't be sweating a loss too much given they had a top three spot locked up, though there may be concerns with a few injuries to worry about.
Their best on the day were Lucas Forsato, Scott van Dyk, Ben Daniher and Luke Mulqueen.
Traralgon vs Morwell
It's a brutal game sometimes.
Morwell's finals dreams ended in tatters on Saturday after a 19-point loss to Traralgon, combined with other results not falling their way, saw them finish the season in sixth position.
In a replay of their game of the season earlier this year that ended in a draw, the Maroons were much more clinical this time around, booting eight goals to three across the second and third terms to seal a 12.11 (83) to 9.10 (64) victory and head into finals full of confidence.
Their season on the line, the Tigers tried their best to launch a final quarter comeback. In the end, however, the 31-point deficit was enough to ensure they'll be watching this year's finals from the sidelines.
Traralgon vice-captain Luis D'Angelo was the main man for the Maroons, playing a commanding hand through the middle.
Backman Mitch Membrey was resolute, repelling the Tigers' attacks at every opportunity.
Ex-Geelong on-baller Jordan Cunico and big man Max Jacobsen were both effective.
Morwell's luck had to run out some time. The Tigers had benefitted earlier this year from two different last-gasp potential game winners missing the mark, handing them two draws – and four points - that could have easily been losses.
Still, it's hard to argue they would have been undeserving finalists. One team breathing a sigh of relief is Leongatha, given the Tigers knocked them off twice this year.
It'll be another long off-season for the yellow and black. Let's see how they handle it.
Burkeley Macfarlane, Zachary Anderson, Judah Leak and Aidan Quigley fought the good fight for them on Saturday.
Sale vs Bairnsdale
Sale sealed their spot in finals courtesy of a thumping 10-goal win over Bairnsdale.
Needing to win and hoping that either Wonthaggi or Morwell lose, the Magpies did exactly what was required of them, crushing the Redlegs 19.10 (124) to 9.10 (64).
With the Tigers failing to get up, it means the Magpies will feature in an elimination final next week against Wonthaggi.
Five goals to one in the first term set the home side up for the big win, before a further six goals to two in the second had the game practically sewn up by half time.
For much of the day it was clear who had something to play for and who didn't, the Redlegs officially ruled out of a finals appearance after two sizeable defeats over the past fortnight.
The usual suspects led from the front for the Magpies, with midfield maestro Shannen Lange putting on a clinic alongside partner in crime Hudson Holmes.
Jonty McGuinness and Derek Eggmolesse-Smith contributed nicely, while Jack Leslie and Thomas Campbell (four goals each) did the damage on the scoreboard.
It's a tough pill to swallow for the Redlegs, who after being in contention for most of the year ended 2024 with three consecutive heavy defeats.
On a more positive note, three goals to Brayden McCarrey ensured he would finish the year as the league's leading goalkicker, despite a late-minute challenge from Leongatha's Jenson Garnham.
Will Mitchell, Logan Austin – in his final game at the club - Matt Corbett and Randall Stewart were among Bairnsdale's better performers.
Warragul vs Maffra
Not a bad way to go out.
Warragul have put a nice full stop on a season of improvement with a commanding 41-point win over Maffra.
The Gulls were largely in control throughout the day despite some challenges from the visitors, before a four-goal-to-one final term saw them head into the off-season on a high, the final score 13.11 (89) to 6.12 (48).
Mitch Smart capped off a brilliant year on return from injury with another masterful performance in the ruck while also providing a target closer to home with two first quarter goals.
Four goals to Bayley Paul was his best return of the season, including several long-range bombs to keep his side rolling.
Riley Senini was damaging both around the forward line and through the middle while young big man Daniel Smart looked like he was finally finding his feet at senior level, more than holding his own in the ruck and allowing his brother to be more versatile around the ground.
Small forward Vinnie Caia's pressure was sky-high at times and Jesse Siddle held up nicely across half back.
In general the Gulls looked the more dangerous of the two sides, taking their chances at vital times to keep the Eagles at bay any time they threatened a comeback.
Despite being a dead rubber between two of the league's bottom teams the desire and pressure was there to see, particularly from the home side, who at their best were absolutely suffocating.
For Maffra recruit Henry Anderson led the charge, fighting admirably against a weight of Warragul numbers, as veterans Alex Carr and David Adams refused to give an inch.
Darcy Gray, Jonathan Boyd and Zach Felsbourg rounded out their better players on the day.
Despite some early territory for Maffra, it was Warragul who got the ball rolling in the first term with Riley Senini claiming a solid contested mark and goaling.
The Eagles struck back through Brayden Monk, before consecutive goals to Mitch Smart – a man not exactly renowned for his kicking – had the crowd up and about.
His first was especially notable, the ruck roving a marking contest and putting it through as footy's largest ever small forward.
A great intercept mark at half forward to Sean Masterson, who played the day in the offensive end, allowed Isaac Wallace out the back and opening up a buffer on the scoreboard.
Henry Anderson snapped a red time major to keep the Eagles in the hunt, clearly annoying Gulls senior coach Jed Lamb as he addressed his troops at quarter time.
The home side pressed their advantage in the second term, booting four more goals to Maffra's one.
Their advantage was largely built off the back of their intense pressure around the ball, forcing the Eagles into mistakes and then swooping when given the chance.
It was a style best exemplified by the final play of the quarter, as some excellent tackling saw Luke Garner pounce on a loose ball at 50 metres, running in a major as the siren sounded with Warragul 29 up at the half.
The third term was easily the Eagles' best for the day as, despite losing two players to injury, they slowly fought their way back into the contest.
Warragul didn't help their case at times, overusing the ball and being too cute by half.
The result was their lead being cut to a gettable 20 points at three quarter time – something that Lamb refused to cop.
The Gulls coach ripped into his players at the final change, letting them know exactly what he thought of their efforts.
For what it's worth, they listened.
Warragul went bang-bang to begin the final quarter, a distant set shot from Paul quickly followed by Caia putting through another moments later.
With Maffra tiring Warragul capitalised, dominating the forward half territory while their under 18s squad pumped up the tunes with a win all but assured.
Speaking post-game Lamb said he was pleased by his side's response in the final term.
"Our good's really good but we haven't earnt the respect to play sexy footy. We've got to do what works for us which is to play our role and stick to the basics which we went away from," he said.
"I gave them a rev up and they responded really well."
The victory, Warragul's fifth of the season, sees them improve on their three wins last year.
More impressively, their percentage saw a significant jump from 42 to 77 – something that speaks to how much more competitive they were this year.
In 2023 the Gulls lost 10 games by 50 points or more, six of which were by 90 or more, including one thrashing by 147.
In 2024 they went down by more than 50 just once, a 61-point loss to ladder leaders Leongatha away from home.
Not everything went right. There were games the Gulls were right in that they let slip and injuries to senior players like Tom Hobbs and Lamb left them lacking some experience.
Regardless, there's a lot more to be optimistic about at Warragul than there was 12 months ago.
Every rebuild needs to start somewhere and right now, the Gulls have taken some very good first steps.
"We've definitely improved," said Lamb.
"We know where we're at, we're realists, we're not in any fantasy land thinking we're going better than we are. We've got a lot of work to do but we're up for the fight that's for sure."
Leongatha vs Drouin
Sometimes it's a sprint to the finish line. Other times it's a limp.
Drouin got a taste of the latter on Saturday, finishing their season in disappointing fashion with a 123-point annihilation at the hands of Leongatha.
Undermanned and underdone, the Hawks had no answers to the finals-bound Parrots as they were blown away 3.5 (23) to 22.14 (146).
Parrot Jenson Garnham in particular dined out on the Drouin defence with 10 goals. Garnham's double digit feast was almost enough to see him snatch the league goalkicking award only to be denied by Bairnsdale's Brayden McCarrey kicking three.
Missing vital components of their side like contested ball beast Mitch Cotter and key pillar Tim Hancock, the pressure was always going to be on the Hawks as they faced one of the toughest road trips in country footy.
While signs were okay early, they couldn't finish their chances. Do that against other teams and you might get away with it. Do it against Leongatha on their home turf and you're in for a world of hurt.
So it came to pass, the Parrots thumping through the first seven goals of the day and 17 of the first 18 to hammer the Hawks in a manner akin to a heavyweight boxer landing blow after blow on a lightweight.
Kye Quirk was the Hawk who could hold his head highest, putting in another solid performance to cap off what has been a high-quality individual season.
Seb Amoroso was similarly admirable, Jordan Kingi was a steady hand across half back while Eddie Morris impressed in his final game for the club before his move to Garfield next year.
Skipper Jarrod Marshall and Jack Fraser rounded out the best for Drouin, who saw solid showings from their top line players but struggled to get much out of their bottom few.
Garnham was a clear best for the Parrots, the high flier enjoying the clean delivery coming his way and, more importantly, making his opportunities count.
The bullocking work of Kim Drew and Tom Marriott was worthy of praise, the pair taking full advantage of Drouin's underdone midfield.
Jay Walker, Jarrod Stewart and Jack Hume were the other green and gold standouts – and there were plenty of options to choose from.
The Hawks ultimately sealed their own fate early with some wasted chances in the opening term.
They set themselves up on more than one occasion for shots at goal only to have them fly wide, a couple of them not even scoring.
Leongatha were more than happy to capitalise, booting five by quarter time.
Kye Quirk was finally able to get the Hawks going in the second term with a strong contested mark and goal, only for Garnham to strike twice in the next few minutes.
From there the game played out predictably, Kaiden Walmsley and Dan Clebney the only Hawks to find the big sticks for the rest of the day.
"We had a crack early, we just weren't clean enough," said senior coach Brent Clinnick of his final game in the role.
"They got to work on us in the second and we just couldn't go with them. The senior guys played well, they just lacked that support."
It's a disheartening way to end what has been a tough year for the Hawks.
They've made strides, no doubt, doubling their win tally from two to four. But with struggles in player availability – the senior side has gone through 48 players throughout the year – continuity and consistency from week to week was a major issue.
On the other hand, it's meant that more than 10 different under 16s and 18s players have seen senior action as the club hopes the next generation can hold them in good stead.
Despite the difficult end to his tenure, Clinnick said he had thoroughly enjoyed his time in the role.
"I want to thank the club for the last two years. They've been a great support for me," he said.
"Thanks to my assistants, Luke Gilbert, Brody Hoult in the development side and Jordy (Kingi) with our 18s boys playing in the finals."
Article provided by the Warragul & Drouin Gazette
Image provided by Wazshots
