FOOTBALL
GIPPSLAND LEAGUE
A seven-goal-to-none opening term paved the way for Moe’s demolition of Drouin on Saturday, leaving the Lions top of the Gippsland league table after two rounds.
Boom recruit Spencer White led the way on the scoreboard with four majors on the back of three in round one to help Moe to the win, 19.16 (130) to 5.8 (38).
The Hawks managed just two goals from seven scoring shots to half-time to trail by 61 points and were listless as the Lions’ barrage continue in the second half, blowing out to 92 points at the final siren.
Lachlan Macleod and Ash Dugan helped head the charge and finished with three goals each while Jordan Ceppi, Trent Baldi and Jacob Wood each bagged two.
Lions’ star backs Mitch Stanlake and Tyson Biffin, with assistance from Bernie Vince, were at their restrictive best in defence, limiting Drouin to just five majors for the day.
Both Moe and Drouin will break over Easter for the split round three and return next weekend.
Leongatha v Traralgon
Leongatha held off a late surge from Traralgon on Saturday to notch their second win of the season.
The defending premiers led by 19 points at the main break but were reined into a 14-point buffer at the last change.
A string of three Traralgon goals in the final term had the Parrots on the back foot but, with time on their side, they managed to stem the flow and hold on to record a three-point victory, 11.10 (76) to 11.7 (73).
League-leading goalkicker for 2018 Chris Dunne proved characteristically troublesome to contain for the Maroons back, returning to his indomitable best with a five-goal haul.
On the back of three majors to kick-start his 2019, James Lloyd chipped in with two goals for the Parrots while singles went to Cameron Olden, Pat McGrath, John Ginnane and Travis Nash.
For Traralgon, Dylan Loprese was dominant up forward and finished with three goals while Troy Forrest and Cameron Whiteoak each nabbed two and singles went to four others.
Leongatha will travel to take on Wonthaggi in the first half of the split round on Friday and will Traralgon will face arch rivals Moe next weekend.
Morwell v Wonthaggi
In a fitting tribute to stalwart Joel Soutar in his 250th game, Morwell belted out the Tiger anthem in style after a 59-point thrashing of Wonthaggi at home on Saturday.
The win, also the first for coach Denis Knight, came courtesy of no less than 13 individual goal-kickers, 16.14 (110) to 7.9 (51).
Power scored just one goal to the Tigers’ five in the opener and were down by 58 at the final change.
They had opportunities to cut back the deficit in the final term with seven shots on goal but only converted three.
For Morwell, Kuiy Jiath, Zac Cantrill and Tyler Hillier all kicked two majors each while 10 others hit the scoreboard for singles.
Patrick Ryan was the only multiple goal-scorer for Wonthaggi with two.
Morwell will break for Easter and play in the second half of the split round next weekend while Wonthaggi will face defending premiers Leongatha at home on Friday.
Warragul v Sale
After a disappointing start to season 2019, Sale returned from their long westerly trip to Warragul with an impressive win.
The Magpies set the tone from the first bounce, scoring four goals from eight scoring shots to Warragul’s one goal and one behind to lead by 21 points at the first break.
They extended the buffer to 35 points at half-time and 45 at the final change and, despite losing the final term, hung on, 13.16 (94) to 9.9 (63).
A quartet of goal-scorers led the way for Sale with Mitch Dowse, Brad Dessent, Jarrod Freeman and Daine McGuiness finishing with two majors each.
For Warragul, Nick Mulqueen, Mason McGarrity and Matt Rennie scored two goals each while singles went to Will Cole, Ben Hughes and Luke Di Ciero.
Sale will face crosstown rivals Maffra in the first half of the split round three this weekend while Warragul will host Drouin.
Maffra v Bairnsdale
Maffra successfully hosted Bairnsdale at the weekend with a seven-goal third term paving the way for a 26-point win.
Kade Renooy and Andrew Petrou were the main culprits and finished with three goals each while Thomas Jolly was the other multiple goal-scorer with two.
