FOOTBALL
GIPPSLAND LEAGUE
By LIAM DURKIN
GIPPSLAND League competition resumes this weekend following the Easter break.
Round 3 action will be split across two days, with Traralgon and Morwell playing a standalone feature for Anzac Day.
Most teams are set to benefit from greater player availability, as Gippsland Power has no games for the next two weeks.
Traralgon v Morwell, Traralgon Showgrounds, April 25
GOT anyone who can play on Hourigan?
Latrobe Valley rivals Traralgon and Morwell meet at Terry Hunter Oval for the first of two marquee bouts.
A healthy crowd is expected for the Friday night fixture, which will see rucks go at it from 6.45pm.
The Tigers come to Traralgon with two wins from as many starts, and will see this game as a huge opportunity to take an early season scalp against the reigning premier.
Historically, ladder position counts for little whenever these two teams clash.
In their nine encounters since 2021, six have been decided by less than 20 points, with a draw the most recent result (match of the century don’t forget).
The Maroons however hold a significant head-to-head advantage 6-2-0, so the challenge for Morwell will be to go from being competitive to successful.
As legendary NFL coach, Bill Parcells rightly said: “you are what your record says you are.”
The only real outlying result in recent years has been Traralgon’s 68 point belting of Morwell under lights in 2023, when the Tigers decided it would be a good idea to leave Jackson McMahon unchecked on the wing.
Tristen Waack and Nathan Noblett didn’t play for Morwell that night, nor will they this Friday.
Waack is now with Traralgon and Noblett injured, which could leave the visitors short a few centimetres in key positions.
That being said, the Tigers arguably hold the ascendency as far as midfield grunt goes, so the likes of Anthony Rosato could be used to help ensure the ball either avoids or bypasses the edge of opposing 50s where Maroons skipper, interceptor, playmaker and all round good guy Tye Hourigan generally sits.
The question of just who or how Morwell plays Hourigan looms as the deciding factor.
Hourigan was sent forward in the last quarter against Moe in Round 2, and ended up kicking three goals to see his side snatch a six point victory.
Despite what unfolded, there was a moment early in the first quarter that could provide Morwell playing-coach Boyd Bailey with his own Douglas Jardine moment.
Jardine was the English Test cricket captain at the centre of the Bodyline series, who devised the tactic purely to curb the influence of Bradman.
“I’ve got him … he’s yellow,” Jardine said as he watched film of Bradman flinching upon facing chin music at The Oval in 1930.
Hourigan might not have flinched, but he did fumble a juggled mark three-minutes into the first quarter against Moe as Lions full forward Ben Crocker breathed down his neck, leading the latter to have a shot on goal.
Moe v Maffra, Ted Summerton Reserve, April 26
MAFFRA makes the journey to Moe.
The young Eagles face another good challenge on their journey, in what has inadvertently turned into a match against two potentially like-minded sides.
While the Lions hold finals aspirations and Maffra is slowly but surely taking steps to return to September, the Gippsland Power situation means there will be plenty of youth featured in both teams.
Moe has six Gippsland Power players, most of whom are expected to come into the starting 22.
Yinnar’s Luke Cheffers, who has joined the Lions this season, could make his senior debut, while Liam Masters and Jordan Shields are likely inclusions.
It is looming as the proverbial good problem to have for Moe, who suddenly have a plethora of senior quality players to choose from.
As any well-to-do football pundit knows however, names on a piece of paper can be worth little. The team still has to play well and still has to respect the opposition presented.
Maffra has certainly earnt respect post-dynasty for its patience and long-term vision, which is mirroring Richmond of the AFL in many ways.
The Eagles snuck a Round 1 win over Sale, and then showed encouraging signs against a Wonthaggi team who has tasted defeat just thrice in its last 13 games.
The contrast in coaching styles also presents an interesting case study in this game, with Maffra under the tutelage of Anthony Robbins, and Moe with new boss Leigh Poholke calling the shots.
As an educator by trade, Robbins speaks to his players in the same way a teacher would students, while Poholke’s employer-to-employee direction fits the more mature list.
Both clubs have used their networks well this season; Moe on the recruiting front, and Maffra in development.
Former Brisbane Lions player and Maffra local Ben Robbins (cousin of the coach), is now Dr Ben Robbins registered psychologist. He is currently Essendon’s Head of Mental Health and Wellbeing, and has been available to help Maffra players on the side.
One thing about Maffra is they just have names: Gieschen, Butcher, Pleming, Burgiel, etc.
As an aside, Robbins was among the best players for Brisbane in the QAFL premiership of 2001, along with Sale’s Dylan McLaren and Shane Morrison – son of current Sale senior assistant and reserves coach, Peter.
A healthy crowd is expected at Ted Summerton Reserve, which should swell due to byes for Newborough and Gormandale in the Mid Gippsland and North Gippsland leagues respectively.
The two clubs have had players filter in and out for Moe over the years.
Byes have come at a very good time for Moe, who should also have Riley Baldi available for the match against Leongatha next week, owing to Casey not having a game in the VFL.
Helping the Lions’ cause even further will be the fact Port Melbourne is scheduled to play that day, meaning they should miss Dyson Heppell.
Sale v Warragul, Sale Oval 1, April 26
ELIMINATION final in April?
That is essentially the reality for Sale.
The Magpies host Warragul, and simply need to win to get their season off and running.
While there is still plenty of time left, Sale runs the risk of falling a long way behind if results aren’t to their liking over the next few weeks.
Following Warragul, the Magpies play Drouin in foreign conditions at Trafalgar, and will then go in as underdogs against Wonthaggi and Moe.
Sale are tipped to win the next two, but should they drop points in either and carry a win-loss of 1-5 with a third of the season completed, 2025 could very quickly turn into a chasing tail affair.
Compounding the mass unavailability issues (reportedly up to 20 last game) for Sale, their best player and star midfielder Shannen Lange was also injured last round.
When you are going through hell – keep going, don’t stop.
A win at Sale Oval this weekend will likely carry plenty of emotion for the home side, not just in morale and relief, but with some reassurance for Jack Johnstone and the coaching staff that things can turn around.
However, after making the Grand Final in 2022, and bombing out in consecutive elimination finals since, the more lingering question eating away at Johnstone could surround whether or not Sale’s group has maxed out and missed whatever premiership window might have been open.
Wonthaggi v Drouin, Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve, April 26
WONTHAGGI welcomes Drouin.
The Power should have little trouble accounting for the Hawks, as Week 3 of their tour commences.
Signs have been pleasing for Wonthaggi across the board this season, with the Power fielding a full complement of football grades (seniors to fourths) for the first time since 2021.
Local players will be treated to a Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve in superb condition this Saturday, with the venue hosting a VFL match between Box Hill and Port Melbourne the following day.
Bairnsdale v Leongatha, Bairnsdale City Oval, April 26
LEONGATHA will trek to Bairnsdale.
The Parrots should continue their unbeaten start to the season, although in full knowledge points taken at Bairnsdale City Oval seldom come easy.
Dyson Heppell played the opening game against Traralgon, and needs three more to qualify for finals.
The Parrots however are still not sure just when the former Essendon captain will be available.
“I don’t know whether we will get four games out of him, I honestly don’t,” Leongatha Coach, Trent McMicking told The Weekly Times.
