FOOTBALL
GIPPSLAND LEAGUE
By LIAM DURKIN
GIPPSLAND League players might still be finding mud in weird and wonderful places.
Mothers collected the real three votes after Round 13, as most players presumably handed in their jumpers and have since found them magically clean, dried and folded.
Moe 7.11 (53) def by Traralgon 16.10 (106)
YES, it did rain in Moe. The cricket square was a mud bath as well. The rest of the ground was also heavy under foot. And it was so wet the netball games had to be moved indoors.
Despite all that, Traralgon still put up more than 100 points, on their way to an ominous victory at Ted Summerton Reserve.
The Maroons made an absolute mockery of the conditions, registering 16.10 (106) to the Lions’ 7.11 (53).
For a match between second and third, the contest turned into anything but, which was made all the more bewildering considering Moe kicked three of the game’s first four goals in the opening 11-and-a-half minutes.
Even more so when Traralgon only led by 22 points at the 20-minute mark of the third term, and then went into the last change 40 points up.
With the Maroons ahead by eight points at the main break, a 10.3 (63) to 3.3 (21) second half well and truly blew the margin out.
Those three goals to Moe were nothing more than consolations either, all coming in the last 10 minutes of the game.
If football can be compared to a tug-of-war contest, there are generally two ways to win: either quickly by sheer brute force, or by wearing down the opposition until they gas out.
Traralgon did the latter in the third quarter last Saturday.
While the Maroons tumbled a goal through in the first minute, it took until the 16-minute-mark for them to register their next.
From there, three further goals were added well into red time, with two coming only seconds from the three quarter time siren.
That flurry of majors gave Traralgon reward for dominance, as they had three times as many inside 50s for the term (18 to six).
Traralgon found marks from the likes of Dan McKenna inside 50, while at the other end, Moe was unable to find an equal from the opportunities it got.
McKenna has come out of retirement the last two rounds to provide a similar target to the injured Tye Hourigan for Traralgon.
McKenna kicked two goals at the weekend, and having also appeared on the reserves team sheet a couple of times this season, is now qualified for finals. Whether or not he is part of longer term plans for Maroons coach Troy Hamilton remains to be seen, although it is one extra quality player they won’t have to find if it does come to the crunch.
Compounding the third term fadeout for Moe was the fact the Lions gave away a goal from a 50-metre penalty, another from a downfield free kick, and one right on the three quarter time siren to best-on-ground Jackson McMahon.
This meant the Lions went from potentially still being in the game at three quarter time, down by 22 points, to having the match dead and buried, down by seven goals.
Moe players copped an old-fashioned tune-up at three quarter time as a result, and with the game lost, spun a couple of magnets around.
Usual defender Scott Van Dyk spent some time forward, although goals kept leaking at the other end of the ground.
Traralgon added another five majors in the last quarter, taking the tally past the ton.
McMahon was busy, and seemed to always be on the move, which perhaps came as little surprise to see him named best-on.
While traditionally known as an accumulator across halfback, his overhead marking was a feature at the weekend, with a couple of telling grabs making it look as though he was playing with a dry footy.
His teammate in big man Max Jacobsen did some good work in the air, while his opposite number Liam Willaton was equally effective at ground level.
Others to play well for the winners were Lucas Tripodi, Connor Ambler and Dylan Loprese, who slotted three goals.
Better players for Moe were Brock Smith, Ben Maslen, Nick Prowse, Ben Daniher, Tom Matthews and Matt Heywood.
Although the result wasn’t enough to dislodge the Lions from the top three, it continued their Russian Roulette-type season.
At their best, Moe has looked like world beaters at times, rolling flag favourites Leongatha and smashing other teams by more than 100 points. On the flipside however, there have been results such as this, and a loss to Sale’s third string team that have meant the phrase ‘consistently inconsistent’ isn’t too far off the mark.
What happened after halftime will undoubtedly leave the Moe coaching staff with questions to ponder, although for spectators at least, it provided a clear demonstration of what Traralgon are capable of.
While premierships aren’t won in July, if the Maroons play this well in September, not even Leongatha are going to stop them.
Drouin 5.13 (43) def by Morwell 6.12 (48)
BATHING has benefits, just not when it consists of 95 per cent mud.
Morwell had their turn sliding around in the Drouin mud at the weekend, and did what they had to do, coming away with a five point win.
While a 6.12 (48) to 5.13 (43) scoreline might not have appeared all that convincing, the Tigers led at every change, and in the context of the conditions, would have been more than happy to simply take the four points on the drive back home.
Morwell kept Drouin to a single goal in the first half, and led by nine points at three quarter time.
The Hawks cut the margin back to two points at the 21-minute mark after James McKellar (I think, by then the mud had made it impossible to tell who was who) found front position directly in front and slotted the goal.
The next score did not come until the 28-minute mark, as stoppage after stoppage ensued.
With his side ahead by two points, Tyler Hillier found a rare opening to send a long ball inside 50 at the northern end of the ground, where it was met by Cody Macdonald, who used the outside of his right boot to soccer the ball to the goal square.
The ball was taken over for a behind, meaning Drouin had to go hell-for-leather in order to try and win.
That they did, with a kick straight down the middle from the kick out. The Tigers however won the ball back, and chewed up enough time to see themselves to victory.
Their victory was confirmed and then extended when Josh Galea was found unattended in the pocket and kicked a point after the siren.
Brandon McDonald was best-on-ground, kicking three goals, which may well have been worth double on a dry deck.
Morwell playing-coach, Boyd Bailey was also prominent, as was his brother Brandon.
Others to attract votes were Zac Anderson, Aidan Quigley and Charlie Burr.
Jordan Kingi was best for the Mud Crabs, followed by Mitch Cotter, Kaidan Walmsley, Caleb Quirk and Max Williames.
Drouin were without Will Papley, who it is understood will be added to Frankston’s VFL list.
The surfaces in the VFL will surely offer a stark contrast to what he has become accustomed to – an unfortunate reality for someone graduating from a ‘premier’ league.
With the Traralgon Recreation Reserve facility the way it is (third season with portable rooms) and the Drouin oval in its current state, the Gippsland League certainly isn’t being showcased in its best light (through no fault of their own it must be said).
While people’s hands on club committees can often be tied when dealing with shire facilities, the need to level the playing field at Drouin takes in figurative as well as literal meaning.
Drouin would be unable to train during the season on their home ground, and would find the going tough to recruit to their home ground out of the season.
It can be little surprise then that the Hawks have collected the wooden spoon in the last two seasons.
Not to get too precious, but there is a duty of care element as well.
If a pitch is too dangerous in cricket, the game is called off.
The mud however could soon be ploughed and turned into grass, with Baw Baw Shire Council setting aside $4.1 million to upgrade the surface at Drouin Recreation Reserve.
That might come with a caveat, as there is every chance it will take up to two years to bring the surface up to scratch.
Whether or not that timeframe is accurate remains to be seen, although the Express understands Lang Lang has been identified as a potential home ground for Drouin while their ground is being redeveloped.
The Lang Lang facility has two pristine ovals, although given it is nearly 30 minutes and a whole other shire (Cardinia) away, its practicality could be called into question (Bairsndale to Lang Lang, now that is a bus trip).
Adding another layer to the story, Trafalgar Recreation Reserve lost out in the $4.1m allocated to Drouin, although the Trafalgar project, (to construct a second oval at the reserve) has since received a slight reprieve.
Baw Baw Shire has committed to quarantining any money raised from the sale of the Trafalgar Business Centre (former Narracan Shire Offices) into the development of the second oval.
Word around Trafalgar is it could be an ideal structure for a long awaited public library.
In any case, Trafalgar locals will be hoping there are some big bidders come auction day ($3m would be very nice).
Morwell meanwhile might actually not be too fazed by playing in the mud.
The Tigers had a pretty memorable day in the mud in 2013…
Warragul 10.9 (69) def Sale 9.8 (62)
DID Sale just cost themselves finals?
The Magpies went from fourth to sixth on Saturday night after dropping the bundle on the road during Round 13 of the Gippsland League.
Warragul in the wet at Western Park again proved to be a dangerous beast, with the home side edging ahead 10.9 (69) to 9.8 (62).
It was the Gulls’ third major scalp at home this season, following a similar victory over Moe in Round 8 and reigning Grand Finalist Wonthaggi to start the season.
Sale appeared to have the game under control in the early stages, kicking six goals (including the first four of the game) to three in the opening term.
The Magpies however added just three more majors for the game, as Warragul slowly but surely made their way back into the contest.
The Gulls, who are clearly better than their current position of ninth indicates, kicked four goals in the second quarter to take a handy eight-point lead into the sheds.
Sale possibly kicked themselves out of it in the third, adding 1.4 (10), while Warragul fared better with less scoring shots, kicking 2.2 (14).
Rain and drizzle persisted, potentially playing into the Gulls’ hands, and come three quarter time, the Magpies were two goals down.
Warragul only managed one goal in the final quarter, coming from playing-coach Jed Lamb soccering in the goal square after getting goal side from a high ball.
That goal came with around 10 minutes left, and gave the home side enough breathing space to hold on.
A follow-up goal to Sale captain, Jack Leslie from a set shot straight in front proved to be too little too late.
Derek Eggmolesse-Smith was best for Sale, followed by Hudson Holmes, Shannen Lange, Jarrod Freeman (three goals), Harry Tatterson and Nathan Whitford.
Lamb kicked four goals, and received good support from Liam Serong, Riley Senini, Mitch Smart, Oliver Wilson and Patrick Carpenter.
In the race for a top-five finish, this was a result the Magpies couldn’t afford.
Sale are now equal-fifth with five rounds to go, and there is every chance their last game of the season against Bairnsdale will determine who plays finals between the two sides.
Maffra 12.7 (79) def by Bairnsdale 15.10 (100)
BAIRNSDALE stayed on track for a finals berth.
The Redlegs got past Maffra in a competitive match, winning by 21 points.
The visitors broke away late to eventually raise the bat, 15.10 (100) to 12.7 (79).
For most of the match, it was a back-and-forth affair. Scores were level at quarter time, before each team enjoyed a break with their noses in front.
Maffra led by two points at halftime, and Bairnsdale by eight at three quarter time.
A four goal to two final term gave the Redlegs victory, which keeps them inside the top five for now.
Warragul did Bairnsdale a favour by rolling Sale, and might be receiving a Christmas card as a thank you at the end of the year.
Brayden McCarrey continued what is turning out to be one of the greatest years a small forward has put together since Maffra’s own Mitch Bennett ended the 2017 season with 60 goals.
McCarrey kicked seven at the weekend, taking his season tally to 43. He has shown a liking to playing against Sale and Maffra, kicking eight goals in the game against the Magpies, and 11 goals in the two games against the Eagles.
Helping McCarrey was Lachlan Cloak, Tom Blenheim, Tyran Rees, Will Mitchell and Lachlan Byrne-Jones.
Best for Maffra was Ashton Wright, Jett Killoran, Alex Carr, Andrew McKenzie, Zach Felsbourg and Caleb Calwyn (four goals).
Leongatha 7.8 (50) def Wonthaggi 4.12 (36)
LEONGATHA withstood Wonthaggi.
The Parrots recorded an unspectacular 14-point win, in a result that is likely to give no cause for celebration or concern for either side.
In what was an arm wrestle for the most part at Leongatha, the home side held a lead around 10-15 points throughout the day, winning 7.8 (50) to 4.12 (36).
Young gun Max Donohue was best for the Parrots, followed by Jenson Garnham (four goals), Sam Forrester, Jackson Harry, Travis Nash and Guy Dickson.
Isaac Chugg, Shannon Bray, Josh Bates, Jakeb Thomas, Hunter Tiziani and Noah Anderson did well for Wonthaggi.
Leongatha captain Tom Marriott played his first game in four weeks, and is likely to be joined by a few other seasoned veterans over the next few rounds.
Few clubs know how to peak as well as the Parrots do, and a staggered approach could see the likes of Cade Maskell, Sean Westaway, and Luke Bowman ready to explode come finals time.
Wonthaggi on the other hand will need to take a different path.
The Power are currently a game out of the top five, and therefore don’t have the luxury of resting players.
Instead, Wonthaggi will aim to build up a head of momentum on the run home and hope they don’t run out of petrol tickets during September – if indeed they get there.
