By Nick Duck
Saturday's action saw a team spring one of the biggest upsets the league has ever seen while another sent a message to the rest of the league with a brutal takedown of a powerhouse.
Here's what you might have missed this week.
Maffra vs Traralgon
Now who could have seen that coming?
Maffra has pulled off one of the most remarkable upsets in recent Gippsland League history after taking down Traralgon on their home turf.
Last year's wooden spooners kept the reigning premiers to just one goal past quarter time en route to an almost unbelievable 8.10 (58) to 5.9 (39) win.
Even more unbelievably, that lone goal came right on the final siren from a 50-metre penalty, meaning that Maffra, who were coming in off a 99-point shellacking from Moe the previous week, kept last year's premiers goalless for close enough to three quarters.
And that was after conceding four goals in the first quarter alone.
It's a truly stunning result in the context of the league, proving that old adage of you're never going as poorly as you think and vice versa.
There were echoes of last Friday's Ross Lyon masterclass against Fremantle in the Eagles, refusing to give an inch defensively and being more than happy to play out a low-scoring slog.
Down early thanks to a Maroons onslaught, the home side gritted their teeth and got to work, slowly creeping their way back into the game before taking control of it on the scoreboard.
Alex Carr was immense for Maffra, putting the Eagles on his back at times and showing what a difference he makes when he's in the team.
Defender Samuel Richards deserved his plaudits, as did big man Andrew McKenzie, Noah Christy, Archer Watt and Wil Ross.
Having already equalled their wins from last season, the rebuilding Eagles will be a handful for a few sides this year.
Questions are going to be asked of Traralgon, however, as the Maroons now sit eighth after one of their poorest performances in some time.
Tristen Waack, Mitch Membrey, Hugh Dunbar, Liam Willaton, Luis D'Angelo and Cooper Brown were their best on a dirty day.
Moe vs Leongatha
Moe have staked their claim for premiership favouritism with a commanding 47-point win in enemy territory against Leongatha.
Wins at Parrot Park have been few and far between for visiting teams in recent seasons. But the Lions stood tall when it mattered most, kicking seven goals to two after half time to prevail 15.13 (103) to 8.8 (56).
It's the win they needed to stoke belief, especially given on paper this was one of the strongest sides the club has named in recent memory.
While the early goings had Leongatha in the match up to their eyeballs, past the main break they looked a step behind their opposition, who put them to the sword late.
Moe had nine individual goalkickers, last week's hero Ben Crocker and livewire Harrison Pepper the best of them with three each.
Trent Baldi was the pick of the pride while Chris Prowse, Luke Cheffers, Pepper, Alex Djikstra and new recruit Nathan Scagliarini all impressed.
It's back to the drawing board for Leongatha, whose first loss of the year exposed them in several areas.
The Parrots' loss means there are no teams on four wins and zero losses in the seniors, reserves or thirds – a first for the league.
Their better players were Kim Drew, Jenson Garnham, Mitchell Bentvelzen, Timothy Sauvarin, Nicholas Argento and Tallin Brill.
The rest of the competition should be taking notice now. Moe haven't won a senior flag since 1967, but the sleeping lion may just be waking up.
Morwell vs Wonthaggi
Wonthaggi are up to second on the table thanks to a hard-fought two-goal win over Morwell.
The Power benefitted from a fast start which saw them kick five goals to one in the first quarter before they held off a determined Tigers side 10.8 (68) to 8.8 (56).
The Tigers refused to die wondering, clawing their way back to within two points early in the last.
When the game was there to be won, however, it was the Power surging to a vital victory, booting two of the final three goals of the day to escape Morwell Recreation Reserve with the four points.
Jye Gilmour continued his sparkling run of form to be named best on for Wonthaggi – his fourth time in as many games being among their top players.
Star ball-winner Ryan Sparkes was fearsome through the middle, Noah Anderson once again performed under pressure and Jarvis Harvey, Ethan Dickison and Jakeb Thomas all played well.
Morwell have now let slip consecutive chances to knock off esteemed opposition, making their match with Leongatha – a side they beat twice last year – all the more interesting.
Stephen Mills, Max Linton, Harrison McColl, Anthony Rosato, Boy Bailey and Joshua Galea were their stronger players on Saturday.
Warragul vs Bairnsdale
Warragul were left to rue another wasted opportunity to press their case in season 2025 with a disappointing 17-point loss to Bairnsdale.
A poor first quarter proved to be the culprit for the Gulls, leaving them behind the eight ball early and being unable to make up the ground as they went down 10.8 (68) to 12.13 (85).
It's the second time this year Warragul have been brought undone at home courtesy of a poor early showing after they were thumped by Morwell in round two.
The result leaves the Gulls on two wins and two losses in sixth position on the ladder, while Bairnsdale moves into the top five for the first time this year with the same record.
Given how close things are looking this year in the Gippsland League, these are the kinds of games that could mean a lot by the end of round 18.
Backmen Sean Masterson and Patrick Mulqueen were the pick of the bunch for the home side, fighting hard and keeping Bairnsdale at bay long enough to give further up the field their teammates a chance.
Midfielder Tom Hobbs (26 disposals) played a lone hand through the middle at times, having been cleared to play after his report last week against Sale.
Utility Jake Hughes was solid, as were James Harrison and Isaac Wallace.
In general Bairnsdale had far more winners across the ground, chief among them Tom Blenheim.
The skillful midfielder used every bit of his class to his advantage, winning 27 disposals and combining magnificently with ball magnet Will Mitchell (40 disposals) to give the Redlegs the ascendancy around the ball – an area that Warragul holds in high esteem.
Tyran Rees (35 disposals) and Jamie Dore (23 disposals) caused plenty of headaches for the Gulls defence with three goals each, wingman Cooper Harvey was effective with 30 touches, and Matthew Hamilton also put in the hard yards.
The Redlegs were far too strong in most statistics, including inside 50s (48-36), contested possessions (163-133) and clearances (46-31).
Having easily thumped Sale the week before, there was plenty of anticipation around Western Park that this would be the week the Gulls could finally string together two good performances in a row and get some genuine momentum.
Things looked alright early when forward Tom Stern kicked things off with a strong mark and goal. Though the Redlegs responded through Lachlan Byrne-Jones and Rees, Hobbs got things back to an even keel halfway through the first.
That's when the Redlegs made their move.
Bairnsdale were able to spread the ball nicely, racking up uncontested marks and possessions to sweep it forward and catch the home side unawares.
With the footy living in Bairnsdale's half their smalls went to work, chaos being the name of the game.
A pair of crafty ground level goals to Jesse Bills gave the visitors the ascendancy, which was only reinforced when Kael Frith and Rees hit the scoreboard.
Staring down a 25-point deficit at quarter time, the Gulls got to work in the second.
The contests that were going Bairnsdale's way early on began to turn, with Keenan Boi, James Harrison and Caleb McIntosh all striking truly.
As was to be a theme throughout the day Bairnsdale had the answer, another crumbing goal to Max East in this case.
From there the margin hovered around the two-to-three goal margin for a lot of the day.
The Gulls made another charge partway through the third after a wonderful running goal from Boi, the skilled young gun showing more of his wares every week.
That was followed quickly by a nice snap from coach Jed Lamb, the difference just three points.
Just like before though the Gulls couldn't sustain the rage – something that's becoming a theme of their year.
The Redlegs got back on top with four consecutive majors, two on each side of the three quarter time break, and by then the game was gone.
A couple of late consolation prizes kept the margin closer, but it was too little too late.
Bairnsdale have plenty of reason for optimism following the much-deserved win. They're proving to be a tricky opposition, having challenged Leongatha the week prior and now scored a great victory on the road.
Few teams in country footy have to travel further than the Redlegs, but based on what we've seen they're going to surprise a few sides.
For Warragul it's another week of reflection after once again failing to back up their good work.
Western Park has strangely become a bit of a bogey ground for them, with both of their wins this year coming away from home.
Their best footy is very good but lapses, especially early, have cost them in both of their losses. A match-up with reigning premiers Traralgon next week, a team desperate to bounce back after a disappointing defeat, will be telling.
Drouin vs Sale
You've got to take the good with the bad sometimes.
Drouin fans got a taste of both on Saturday afternoon at the Trafalgar Recreation Reserve as the Hawks were handed a 30-point loss by Sale.
With both sides coming into the clash winless there was a sense of opportunity in the air, both eyeing off a chance to open their accounts for the season.
In the end it was the boys in black and white who took theirs, getting off to a good start before holding off a determined Drouin 16.7 (103) to 10.13 (73).
Having trailed by as much as 38 points midway through the second term, the Hawks suddenly sprung to life in the third quarter, playing their finest footy of the year to get the margin back to under a goal.
A glorious comeback victory beckoned but ultimately wasn't to be, the young Hawks making too many mistakes and allowing Sale to shut the door on them.
It was by some margin the best performance Drouin has put on this season, despite the disappointment of the defeat.
Zayne Atkins (29 disposals) was a standout for the Hawks, showing composure that his teammates lacked at times. His ability to draw high contact was also notable, to the chagrin of his opposition.
Skipper Jarrod Marshall's work rate across half forward was a sight to see, making space and acting as a valuable connector between the midfield to the forward line.
Seb Amoroso was a threat through the middle with 25 disposals and especially up forward, where he bullocked his way into some dangerous positions.
Big man Riley Wierzbicki fought the good fight despite being totally outsized in the ruck, Jack Walsh took some valuable marks across half back and Jack Fraser showed some great endeavour in defence.
For Sale it was ruck and former Gold Coast Sun Jack Leslie who starred, giving his midfield some silver service with 64 hit outs as well as throwing his body around in several marking contests.
Cooper Whitehill's class was evident, star on-baller Shannen Lange enjoyed 36 disposals (23 contested possessions) even after his trip to the hospital last week while Lachie Ronchi, Will Leslie and Jarrod Freeman were all strong.
Playing at what will be their de facto home ground for several games this season, the Hawks were made to rue a slow start to the match after more than a few unforced errors.
Despite early goals from Kye Quirk and Kyron Smith keeping things close, Sale took advantage of the Hawks' untidiness with the ball, pouncing on turnover sand sending it back the other way with interest.
Not helping Drouin's case was the way they had too many getting drawn to the ball, letting the Magpies whisk it away on the outside of the contest and hurt them with their spread.
Drouin coach Leigh Horsburgh let his frustrations be known at quarter time, ripping into his troops with a rare spray.
While the Hawks' intent improved in the second, the signs weren't good early in the term after Lachie Ronchi and Thomas Campbell blew the margin out further, before a throw in the ruck allowed Thomas Wrigglesworth to push it close to 40 points.
Needing some life before half time, the Hawks kept the door ajar with two late goals, the first from Amoroso as he marked and wheeled around immediately for a major and the second a long-range set shot from Wierzbicki.
With the margin suddenly more realistic at the beginning of the third the Hawks suddenly sprung to life, chaining the ball with newfound purpose and dare.
They picked their moments, hit their targets and were much smarter with ball in hand and, bit by bit, the deficit shrank.
By the time Amoroso ran in his second the lead was suddenly down to four points, Sale looking a little shellshocked at Drouin's resistance.
Drouin did well to fight their back into the match but as sides often do when they have to chase a lead early, they just couldn't quite find the goal they needed to move ahead.
A goal to Jarrod Freeman pushed the lead back out before two defining moments in the shadows of three quarter time.
First a big contested mark to Jask Leslie in the goal square allowed the Magpies to land another body blow.
The second occurred at Sale's half forward line after Lange won a free kick. A Drouin player failed to return the ball on the full, giving away a 50-metre penalty in the process and giving Lange the easiest of goals as the three quarter time siren went.
The two majors ended up being the straw to break the camel's back, Drouin unable to mount another challenge in the final term.
Drouin coach Leigh Horsburgh said his side's first quarter ultimately cost them in the end.
"We were poor in the first quarter, that's the only way to describe it. I think as the game progressed we showed we're a really good football side," he said.
"When you're playing from behind, you have to play a different brand of footy. You don't play the way you want to play."
The Hawks now face a tough run with matches against Moe, Traralgon and Leongatha. Horsburgh said his group weren't shying away from the challenge, however.
"We need to play to our best to be competitive. And I think we showed in that third quarter our best is good. But there's a massive gap between our best and our worst, which you're going to get with a young side."
Image provided by Wazshots & Gippsland League
