FOOTBALL
GIPPSLAND LEAGUE
By LIAM DURKIN
TRARALGON is just one win away from a second successive grand final, and with the chance to defend its crown.
For Moe and Morwell meanwhile, it does not get much bigger than this: a sudden death semi-final, at Moe if you don’t mind.
This is without doubt the biggest game between these two clubs this century – and could honestly be one of the biggest in league history.
Moe and Morwell have not met in the second week of finals since 1998, and have not played in a final of greater magnitude since the 1967 preliminary final (Moe’s last flag season). Amazingly, the two teams have never played each other in a grand final.
The Maroons hold immunity by way of a second chance, but will hope it does not come to it when playing Leongatha this Saturday.
Traralgon steps onto the field where dreams came true last September, and will hope to produce similar against the Parrots once again at Morwell.
QUALIFYING FINAL
Traralgon 7.14 (56) def Moe 6.11 (41)
STORIED rivals, the Maroons and the Lions both lived to fight another day in the Gippsland League.
One just seemingly has a lot more to be confident about.
Traralgon defeated the Lions in an arm-wrestle qualifying final, 7.14 (56) to 6.11 (41).
Blustery conditions made for an ugly spectacle at Maffra – not that the Maroons will care in the slightest.
The reigning premier is now just one win away from a second successive grand final, and still has insurance up its sleeve by way of a double chance.
Moe meanwhile will have to take the long road via a Sunday sudden death semi.
The qualifying final itself was not one for the highlight reel, yet the number of subplots that emerged generated plenty of discussion.
For Traralgon, another gutsy finals performance. For Moe, just another finals let down.
The Lions have won just two of their last seven finals. The Maroons won more finals last year alone.
Combatants, conditions and the venue were identical to last year’s qualifying final, as was the game for large portions of Saturday’s play.
A strong breeze heading toward the netball courts meant goals were at a premium going the other way, yet Traralgon’s third term was arguably where the game was won.
The Maroons kicked a handy twos goals kicking into the gale, and then peppered the goal face in the last, adding 1.6 (12) while the Lions failed to convert.
Granted conditions meant the margin was always likely to be tight, Traralgon’s performance of character could not have been higher.
It is 20 years since the Maroons won their greatest premiership, defeating a rolled gold Maffra on the back of 45 consecutive wins.
Traralgon of today might have channelled some of that at the weekend.
Traralgon was forced to make seven changes, four more than selected last Thursday night.
Hamstring tightness ruled excitement machine Harvey Neocleous out of action during the warm-up, while veteran Dan McKenna succumbed to an injury perhaps befitting his age – somehow injuring himself taking on gardening duties.
Key interceptor Tristan Waack was already out with a PCL, which undoubtedly threw things into disarray structurally, meaning skipper Tye Hourgian had no option but to play purely in defence.
Hourigan had saved the day for Traralgon against Moe earlier in the season, kicking three final term goals after swinging forward.
He still played an exceptional game at the weekend, pressing high to drive the ball inside 50.
The Maroons had a team of all local players. Only one, Liam Willaton, was worth more than one player point, and he is as local as you can get.
Flynn Kennedy played just his second senior game for the season, after spending the entire year (bar one game) in the reserves. He even played a game for Woodside in North Gippy twos during the year.
Such was the situation, coach Troy Hamilton reportedly confessed he wasn’t entirely confident about his side’s chances.
But, as they have proven time and time again, Traralgon, and especially any side coached by Hamilton, is a different beast come finals.
Like the Australian cricket team, there must be an underlying reason why the Maroons win finals all the time. After some reflection, it is clear Traralgon generally are never satisfied (in a good way). Whether it’s footy season, or Ex Students in cricket season, Traralgon are just never satisfied, which over time has meant premiership after premiership.
Joel Scholtes has had a remarkable return from the shoulder injury that kept him sidelined from last year’s flag, and was best afield for the winners.
The running halfback was ably supported by Hourigan, Luis D’Angelo, Jackson McMahon, Connor Amber and Hugh Dunbar, who kicked two crucial goals.
Gippsland Power players Max Woodall and Liam Masters were productive for the Lions, as was Harri Sim, Scott van Dyk, Aaron Paxton and Myles Poholke.
While a game is not decided on one decision, there was a pivotal moment in the third quarter when the ball came in high and Sim was penalised against Matt Northe with Moe ahead by five points.
Sim clearly had eyes only for the ball, and did not lay a hand on Northe, yet the umpire put the former Maroons skipper 15 metres out from goal.
Even former Traralgon player, Rob Popplestone, calling the game for TRFM, was mystified.
“No way,” he said.
“A bit over-officiated then,” co-commentator, Nick Leechino added.
This considered, there was still no escaping the missed opportunity for Moe.
Lions playing-coach Leigh Poholke looked incensed afterwards, and could be heard countless times during the match castigating players.
Such was the volume, he could be heard clear as day from centre half forward to the far visitors coaches box, screaming at someone to move the ball “back and across”.
In one of the more brave and equally stupid things this writer has seen in media, a radio presenter approached Poholke as he walking off, getting him to pose for a photo with the ‘goal of the day sign’.
Poholke promptly took the sign and forcefully turfed it into the bin.
If there is any positive for Moe, it will be the fact the Lions have a home final this Sunday.
It should also be noted Traralgon lost last year’s qualifying final.
The Maroons suffered a most unfortunate fate in the thirds elimination final the next day, with a shot after the siren failing to register a score.
A goal would have tied the match, sending it to extra time.
ELIMINATION FINAL
Morwell 9.6 (60) def Warragul 7.13 (55)
NO need for the black eyeliner, just some tissues maybe to wipe away the tears of joy after
Morwell won its first senior final in 11 years on Sunday.
The Tigers held off a fast-finishing Warragul by five points in an epic elimination final, 9.6 (60) to 7.13 (55).
Perhaps fittingly, the result was in keeping with the countless close margins that have beset Morwell under playing-coach, Boyd Bailey.
In the past, it has been close losses, but with a close win now coming in a final, the tide could well be turning.
The result was met with raptures from the Morwell faithful who travelled to Wonthaggi.
Even team manager, Michael Henderson could be seen giving a fist pump as he walked off. That’s what footy can do – it’s even enough to make accountants show some emotion.
Amid the euphoria in one change room however was heartbreak in the other.
There was no denying the fact Warragul was desperately unlucky, after a set shot from playing-coach Jed Lamb straight in front sailed wide with little more than a minute to play.
The Gulls fought back from a five-goal deficit, and certainly had multiple chances to snatch its own fairy tale finals win – in what would have been its first since 2008.
This writer had wished Warragul defender, Sean Masterson good luck before the match. Evidently, his ran out.
Best wishes were also conveyed to Morwell defender, Harri McColl.
He clearly didn’t need any luck, playing just about the game of his life on the last line.
On countless occasions, the wirily tall either won crucial one-on-ones while engaged in close checking, or cleared the ball from danger by coming forward to defend.
Bailey was surely thanking himself afterwards that his decision to play cricket for Raiders during previous summers, mainly to get McColl’s signature, paid off.
The Tigers themselves could hardly put a foot wrong in the first quarter, slamming on five unanswered goals.
Warragul was perhaps a little too pumped up about playing in its first final since 2016, handing Morwell a goal from a 50 metre penalty, and losing possession following an off-the-ball indiscretion.
Usual antagonist, Tom Hobbs was up to his physical tricks, bumping and needling Morwell players around the contest.
The ultimate physicality however came from Anthony Rosato, who kicked just about the most team lifting goal imaginable.
After receiving a handball on the edge of 50, Rosato literally ran through Warragul ruckman, Sam Whibley (who would have to be at least 120kgs), before slamming through a goal on the run.
(It is well worth the watch. Skip to the 24 minute mark on the replay).
Rosato let out a warrior-like roar after the ball sailed through – a seemingly appropriate response for a goal that left everyone utterly speechless.
Even his old man could only muster a wry smile and disbelieving shake of the head when asked about it at the quarter time break.
Having looked like being a case of ‘Traralgon all over’ (Morwell kicked five goals to none in the first quarter against the Maroons during the season), Bailey instructed his troops to adjust kicking into the breeze toward the entrance end.
While Warragul got on the scoreboard within the first few minutes, the Tigers managed to restrict the damage to just 2.4 (16).
Key forward, Nathan Noblett, who has certainly changed Morwell’s dynamic since returning, was unselfish in laying off a pass to Bailey inside 50, and had a say in a number of crucial shots on goal during the second half.
Warragul’s possible finals nerves meanwhile continued. At one stage, Whibley and Jordan Stewart were both on their own and one of them could have marked unopposed, yet they let the ball bounce near centre wing.
Even the long-sleeve wearing and usually super-composed Masterson decided to let fly with a torp. While he did have the wind behind him, it hardly appeared a tactical move.
Morwell by contrast did at least have some finals experience, with more than 10 players having featured in the 2022 elimination final.
There was also plenty of positive side stories to the day.
First-year player Maclan McInness, who struggled to get a game at Trafalgar only two years ago, has played an important lockdown role since coming into the Morwell senior side this year.
Sometimes, all anyone needs is an opportunity.
Someone who generally takes their opportunity in front of goal is Josh Galea.
The half-forward, who has an uncanny ability to pull off miraculous deeds, demonstrated such early in the third term, dobbing a goal from deep in the pocket after appearing to ‘call it’ from the set shot.
Warragul however hit back, and when Tom Stern spun out of traffic and kicked truly, the margin was suddenly only 11 points.
A steadying goal from Noblett, following an equally smart lead that blindsided Masterson, regained some ascendency.
Hobbs kicked the next goal after duping Brandon Mcauliffe into giving away a 50m penalty, the first of two misdemeanours from the Tigers.
By now it appeared Warragul had momentum, yet a horrendous turnover out of defence saw the ball blindly kicked straight to Noblett, who in turn passed to Isaac Abbas.
The ruckman slotted the set shot, and duly approached some spectators on the fence who’d obviously had some choice words.
The Gulls again had chances, with a soccer off the ground going wide of goal, but went into the last break three goals down.
One last Warragul effort was needed, yet they would have to do it without arguably their best player, Will Hayes, who did not return after halftime.
The VFL player and horse trainer was brought down in a tackle as he kicked, appearing to have his leg trapped underneath.
Morwell skipper, Aidan Quigley was animated at the huddle, calling on his charges to “get aggressive” with their ball movement.
Bailey had the final address, urging discipline “stop worrying about the umpires”, and to “back in the person with the handball”.
Morwell only kicked 1.0 (6) in the last quarter, but it certainly proved valuable. For that, they have Galea’s vice-like hands to thank.
Despite the greasy conditions, he took a genuine one grab contested mark with Warragul defender, Patrick Mulqueen on his hammer early in the final quarter.
Kicking into the breeze, Galea booted the leather off the ball from around 40 metres out on a 45 degree angle.
Warragul players maintained it was touched, yet from this writer’s vantage point at least (in the grandstand), it cleared the line by a good metre.
Galea’s celebrations were haltered while the umpires conferred, before the all clear sent him on a wild celebratory run toward the Tiger army.
When asked how he was feeling before the game, his mother told this writer “he doesn’t give us much”. He certainly gave them a lot in that moment.
Up by 20 points at the five minute mark and with the game seemingly under control given the conditions, Warragul went for broke, and very nearly pulled it off.
McColl however could not be denied, saving at least two shots on goal.
Lamb scored at the 12 minute mark to make it 14 points, and before too long, the difference was only one goal into red time.
Extra time certainly loomed, as did the case of ‘next goal wins’.
Had Morwell scored, it may well have been enough; had Warragul scored and gone back to the centre with scores tied, there may have been enough time still.
A huge holding the ball decision led the ball to find Lamb inside 50 at the 26 minute mark.
If ever there was a time for a playing-coach to go clutch, it was now.
Lamb, from straight in front, but kicking from right on 50, had no trouble making the distance, yet his kick sailed to the left hand side.
The siren sounded not long after, extending Morwell’s season by at least one more week.
McColl was a colossus down back, while Rosato, Burkeley Macfarlane, Blake Couling, Quigley and Sam Walsh were all prominent.
Wallace was best for Warragul, followed by Whibley, Lucas Carter, Masterson, Riley Senini and Koby Grass.
