A RELENTLESS display of pressure football has lifted Traralgon to a bruising 77-point victory against Drouin on the Hawks’ home turf on Saturday.
Despite a slow start, the Maroons kicked it up a gear to storm home 19.16 (130) to 7.11 (53) and moved to second on the Gippsland League ladder.
Traralgon coach Mark Collison attributed the victory to his team’s pressure.
“The pressure across the park and the high levels of contested football was pleasing. The player attitude was good,” Collison said.
“The boys have been playing well and putting in some good form. We started slow (against Drouin) but as the game wore on we moved into it nicely.”
Collision was quick to highlight the excellent performance of 19 year-old Jacob Vucenovic.
He said Vucenovic had shown promise in his first three games for Traralgon, polling well in all three, as well as kicking two goals in Traralgon’s round two victory against Latrobe Valley rivals Moe.
Collison also pointed out Hayden Hector’s positive influence in the team after coming over from the North Gippsland Football-Netball League in the pre-season.
“Hayden’s had a good start to the year and is fitting well into the team,” he said.
Hector was one of 10 individual goal-kickers on the day against Drouin, a statistic Collison was happy to see.
He said this stat was standout because he had instilled a philosophy into the team to share the goals around so “we don’t become one dimensional”.
“We’re always trying to spread the goals,” Collison said.
He said he was happy with the team’s overall performance so far after the first round loss to reigning premier Leongatha, but was looking forward to the challenge posed by Sale in Traralgon’s next match.
They have a new coach, play a little differently so they are going to be a challenge for us,” Collison said.
“But hopefully we keep implementing our training on game day and we should stay on track.”
Morwell’s 100th victory over Moe will have to wait for another day after the Lions recorded a 33-point victory yesterday.
The Tigers opened with the first goal of the game but from there on out Moe asserted its dominance across the park to overcome Morwell in strong display of football.
The final score was Moe 16.10 (106), Morwell 10.13 (73).
The loss leaves Morwell winless and languishing at the bottom of the ladder.
Leongatha remains perched at the top of the table after easily disposing of second-placed Maffra by 61 points.
The Eagles could only muster four goals for the game and none in the final quarter as the Parrots piled on the misery to record a 13.11 (89) to 4.4 (28) victory.
Christopher Dunne added four goals to his name, taking his season tally for Leongatha to 12.
The Parrots have yet to be tested and are already laying down their credentials as the team to beat this season.
Sale was never troubled in its match against Wonthaggi Power following a blistering five-goal opening quarter.
The Power were held to a solitary goal in the first term and could only add another six goals for the match as Sale ran out winners, 13.9 (87) to 7.14 (56).
Poor accuracy in front of goal cost Wonthaggi as it was made to rue the missed opportunities.
The Magpies continued their good form after last round’s thumping of Morwell and will enter this weekend’s match against Traralgon brimming with confidence.
Bairnsdale held off a fast-finishing Warragul to win 13.12 (90) to 11.11 (77).
Despite a five-goal-to-one first quarter, the Redlegs were unable to finish the Gulls off, with Warragul kicking five goals to two to trail by eight points at the main break.
It was goal-for-goal in the third with Warragul reducing the deficit to six points, but Bairnsdale held on to record a 13-point victory.
