by Nicholas Duck
A barnstorming final quarter surge has seen Warragul claim a vital victory over Maffra at home on Saturday.
Trailing by nine points at the final change of ends, the Gulls came home with a wet sail, using the breeze at Western Park to their advantage and ramming home five unanswered goals to prevail in an arm wrestle of a match.
Part of that dominance late had to do with an ugly incident halfway through the last quarter in which Maffra forward John Butcher found himself yellow carded, leaving the Eagles a man down on the field when the game was in the balance.
Butcher, who to that point had enjoyed a solid day with three goals, didn't appreciate some treatment from Gull Tom Hillard and lost his calm, swinging his arms and even a leg with reckless abandon as Hillard's teammate Sean Masterson got involved.
The nearest umpire, perhaps a bit blindsided by Butcher having his back to him, let the players walk away before another clash resulted in Masterson dropping moments later, and Butcher sent from the ground.
The 12.13 (85) to 9.8 (62) result sees Warragul improve their season record to three and four and keep in touch with the top five.
Tom Hobbs was the standout for the home side, battling his way well through three quarters before exploding in the last in a powerful display to finish the day having 30 disposals and 20 contested possessions. He also helped himself to one of the goals of the year late in the day, bursting from the middle and baulking around several Eagles defenders before driving it home from long range to get the Gulls fans roaring.
Riley Senini once again showed his class around the ground, as did defender Sean Masterson, who copped more than a few hits in another hard-fought performance.
The versatility of Isaac Wallace and James Harrison around the midfield and forward line had them exerting plenty of influence and Tom Stern stood tall with several strong marks.
Danny Butcher was best on for the Eagles, bringing some composure and experience to the Eagles' back half.
Teenager Harper Walker showed plenty, while defenders Jonathan Boyd and Thomas Scott had their intercept game going.
Archer Watt and Harry Stables rounded out the visitors' stronger players, enjoying solid performances despite the late fade-out.
Momentum went with the wind throughout most of the day as both sides found scoring much easier headed towards the freeway end of the ground.
It still swirled plenty, making accurate kicking an issue and ensuring the game was going to be a fair old scrap.
Also contributing to the day's stop-start nature was the umpiring. If you're a fan of free kicks you had plenty to cheer about as the men in green were more than happy to make their calls and award 73 free kicks over the course of the day.
Frees flowed aplenty, especially in the first half, with plenty of 50-metre penalties as well much to the chagrin of both teams and, at times, the fans.
A tight first term had the Gulls' running game up and about, overlapping and spreading the ball nicely but lacking polish going inside 50.
The Eagles pushed their advantage early in the second, livewire Caleb Calwyn presenting some challenges for the Warragul defence.
The frustration wore through for the Gulls as coach Jed Lamb gave away a 50 for umpire abuse, leading to Maffra youngster Thomas Phillips' first senior goal.
More chat to the umpires led to another Eagles major and had the Gulls teetering before they fought back when a long bomb from Vinnie Caia gave them a much-needed spark.
Feeling they had the momentum, Warragul pressed hard, further ground level goals to Brayden Fowler and Luke Garner giving them the advantage at half time.
The lead was short-lived, however, when Maffra star Alex Carr broke from the first centre bounce of the second half to drill a magnificent goal.
Two more to the visitors had them again threatening to run away with the match before Lamb benefitted from a dump kick landing in his lap, nailing his shot to keep the Gulls in touch at three quarter time.
It's a position the Gulls have found themselves in numerous times over the past few years only to let their chances slip.
This time they flipped the script, first through a towering mark and goal to Stern followed soon by a similar effort from Senini.
It was at this point John Butcher was given his marching orders and, sensing their moment had come, Warragul pounced.
They were simply imperious for the rest of the term, giving Maffra no chances at a response while putting distance on the scoreboard.
A wonderful goal out of a pack from Kai MacLean just about sealed things before Hobbs put his exclamation mark on the match, driving home his shot to ensure the Gulls were going to walk away winners.
Speaking post-game, Lamb said he had felt confident his team would stand up in the fourth quarter.
"We knew it was going to be scrappy, we knew it was one of those games where the team that makes the most of their opportunities that wins the game. It was a tight tussle all day but to the boys' credit we ended up running away with it," he said.
"Blokes made the ground really big and really wide, just the work rate was enormous. When you're a young side, you get a bit of confidence and it's funny what happens,
"The last couple of years we've been in that position multiple times against sides below us and end up getting run over in the end. I think it just shows good character and we're on the right track to improving."
In the only other senior match of the split round fans were treated to an early dose of finals action as Wonthaggi held off Traralgon in a photo finish at Terry Hunter Oval.
The Power trailed by as much as 23 points partway through the day and led by as much as 17 late before a fast-finishing Maroons outfit threatened to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat thanks to four last quarter goals from Dylan Loprese.
Despite the scare, however, Wonthaggi were able to hold their nerve, coming out on top 13.6 (84) to 11.13 (79) and surge to the top of the ladder – at least for now.
The win has come at a cost however, with serious looking injuries to both Jakeb Thomas and Fergus O'Connor marring what was otherwise a brilliant win.
Ruck Jasper Shone starred for Wonthaggi, giving his teammates some silver service as he shouldered a heavy workload and exerting his influence around the ground.
Jaxon Williams (five goals) did damage up forward for the visitors while usual suspects Kyle Reid, Noah Anderson, Kaj Patterson and Joshua Schulz all among the best.
For Traralgon Tristen Waack again showed his wares at half back before a late stint in the ruck helped almost get his side over the line.
Former Geelong Cat Jordan Cunico was strong along with Connor Ambler, Tye Hourigan, Jackson McMahon and Luis D'Angelo.
The Maroons will be left to rue some wasted opportunities as the swirling breeze combined with some questionable kicking had them leaving some goals out on the park.
A tremendous second term saw the reigning premiers break clear, kicking 4.3 to no score and giving them a 22-point lead at half time.
Not to be denied, the Power worked their way into the match and thanks to Williams creating havoc in their forward 50 found themselves in front by 17 points 20 minutes into the last after Williams' fifth.
A free to Dylan Loprese gave him his third for the term and cut the deficit before a mark on the lead had him up to four and brought the lead back to five.
Traralgon pushed late, including a kick from Kade Ruyters that just barely floated over Loprese's head and rolled through for a behind.
In the end the Power hung tight, securing their sixth consecutive win of the year in a tense finish.
That streak will really be put to the test across the Power's next two matches against Leongatha and Moe. Win those and the premiership favouritism might just have a tinge of teal to it.
Photo: Shaz Caia
