FOOTBALL
GIPPSLAND
In their 200th meeting in organised competition, Moe have stunned Warragul at Western Park in a commanding last quarter to storm home winners in round three, 15.19 (100) to 5.12 (42).
The Gulls had the bulk of play in the first term and had seven scoring shots for three goals to Moe’s four from four to trail by three points at the quarter-time.
The Lions kicked into gear in the second term and made the home side pay for yet more missed shots on goal.
Warragul had another four shots but converted just one to let the Lions lead out to 16 at main break.
The woes continued for the Gulls in the second half and they weren’t without their chances, but Moe were unforgiving and stacked on eight goals to blow the game open and record a 68-point win.
Ashleigh Dugan scored five for the Lions in the win to take his tally to eight for the season and Scott Van Dyk booted four in a best-on-ground performance.
Lachlan Rees was also a standout for Moe in the win, as was Darnell Grech and Tyson Biffin.
Bairnsdale v Drouin
Bairnsdale have made the most of the home advantage in round three to do away with Drouin with ease, 23.17 (155) to 10.8 (68).
There was just two points in it at the first break but the Redlegs hit form in the second and stacked on six goals to the Hawks’ two to lead by 29 at half-time.
It was more of the same in the third quarter and Bairnsdale continued to hit the scoreboard with purpose to give themselves a 50-point buffer at the last break to put the result beyond doubt.
But the Redlegs were not content with a nine-goal lead and buried Drouin’s spirits even deeper in the run home and scored another eight goals to run out 87-point victors.
Russell Cowan was the lead goal scorer for Bairnsdale in the win with five while Brayden McCarrey and Josh Kiss both scored four.
Leongatha v Morwell
A Chris Dunne-led Leongatha have romped to their second win of the season with a 95-point demolition of Morwell in round three, 19.12 (126) to 4.7 (31).
Dunne was always going to be a cause of concern for Morwell and he proved just that with a six-goal haul taking him to 13 for the season.
Will Kennedy had the unenviable task of lining up on Dunne in the first quarter and struggled to contend with the pace of the defending premiers.
The well-oiled machine that is the Parrots backline, commanded by Colin Sanbrook and Josh Schelling, were at their best in the first half and let just three solitary behinds through to hold the Tigers goalless and reeling at half time.
The third term was the nail in the coffin for Morwell and the reigning champions stacked on eight goals to one to lead by 98-points at the last break.
The fourth quarter was a mere formality but the Tigers were allowed three goals to narrowly avoid a 100-point shellacking.
Harrison McGannon was awarded top votes for best on ground for Leongatha while Sanbrook, Schelling and Cade Maskell all received plaudits for their work in the backline.
Maffra v Wonthaggi
Maffra are the only team to remain undefeated in the Gippsland League after they recorded the biggest win of round three at the expense of Wonthaggi, 24.27 (171) to 5.5 (35).
An astonishing 14-goal opening quarter by the Eagles put the results beyond doubt with a 74-point lead at the first break.
The Eagles had a phenomenal 51 scoring shots to Wonthaggi’s 10 in the 13-6 point drubbing and have certainly sold their case for front-runner in the early stages of the season.
Eleven Maffra players hit the scoreboard, with Mitchell Bennett the most prolific of the lot with five goals.
This week’s performance takes Bennett’s season tally to 18 to top the league goal-scoring list after round three.
Andrew Petrou was also handy and bagged four goals and Daniel Bedggood snagged three.
Traralgon v Sale
Sale have rained on the early season parade of Traralgon at the weekend, upsetting the home side under lights on Saturday night, 13.14 (92) to 9.16 (70).
Two goals to Jarrod Freeman in the opening quarter helped the Magpies off to a flyer and a two-point lead at quarter-time.
Traralgon returned fire in the second and scored four goals to Sale’s two to make up ground and lead by nine at half-time.
The Maroons squandered shots on goal in the third and scored just one major from six scoring shots to relinquish the lead and trail by 17 at the last break.
Sale had a chance to blow the game open in the final quarter but misfired in front of goal to notch two goals from nine scoring shots to seal the 22-point win.
