FOOTBALL
GIPPSLAND LEAGUE
By LIAM DURKIN
THE Gippsland League’s slightly confusing Round 6 split round was completed at the weekend.
Confusion came for some attendees, who when asking for a copy of the Record, were handed the exact same issue as the previous week.
Only adding to the confusion, Moe’s game against Drouin was technically a Round 5 match, but was entered into PlayHQ as a Round 6 game.
Traralgon, Warragul, Maffra and Wonthaggi enjoyed a split-round break, while Bairnsdale, Drouin, Leongatha, Sale, Morwell and Moe took to the field.
Moe 16.11 (107) def Morwell 9.8 (62)
HAS Morwell uncovered Moe’s kryptonite?
If you bait them enough, there’s every chance they’ll retaliate.
While a 45 point Lions win appeared convincing on the scoreboard, the manner in which the game played out certainly suggested Moe isn’t going to completely waltz through the competition as many expect.
In an at times spiteful contest, the visitors broke away in the last term, kicking six goals to one to win 16.11 (107) to 9.8 (62).
Moe entered the match wanting to make a statement by way of a commanding victory. By three quarter time however, the message had changed completely to ‘get out of here with the four points’.
In dull conditions for Round 6, the Lions led at every change, but had to stave off a Tigers outfit that refused to go away.
Morwell announced its new coaching structure the day before the match, marking the official start of senior captain Aidan Quigley’s tenure as captain-coach.
He has the perfect mentor in two-time Tigers premiership coach Harmit Singh.
Singh took an AFL job as head of Richmond’s academy during the week. He was present at Morwell last Saturday, and will be on the sidelines when his schedule permits.
His opposite number, Moe coach Leigh Poholke, is well-known for his sprays, and many were expecting him to tear paint off the walls at halftime when his side led by just two goals.
By all accounts however, it was Singh who was the most vocal in the rooms next door, delivering a sledge that apparently inspired the players in an instant.
Whatever was said worked, as Morwell went into the last change only 15 points behind.
The third quarter was especially heated, and at many times it looked as though things were going to boil over.
If you touch Moe midfielder Blake Mullane, expect Riley D’Arcy to fly the flag.
The key forward was yellow carded after he rag-dolled a few Morwell players, and was given 15 minutes in the naughty corner.
The Tigers accepted a goal from a double 50 metre penalty, to go with a host of downfield free kicks paid during the day.
Morwell was certainly ‘up and about’ after a passionate Blake Couling goal, jumper tug and victory lap on the approach to three quarter time.
Poholke remained surprisingly calm as he spoke to his players, presumably knowing an angry outburst would only incite them further.
Instead, he called for his troops to take some sting out of the game and not fall for any “blood in the water”.
Moe only had two inside 50 stoppages in the third term, and in the context of how low-scoring the game was, Poholke felt increasing that number would help the side dramatically.
The Lions put the game beyond much doubt relatively early in the last term – their greater experience arguably a decisive factor.
Ruckman Chris Prowse kicked the sealer from a standing start, and celebrated with a unique hand gesture across his forehead.
New dad Declan Keilty was a clear best-on-ground for the winners, virtually intercepting everything that came his way.
Had he not played, the result may well have been different.
Mullane was also busy, as was Nathan Scagliarini, Myles Poholke, who kicked six goals, and Max Woodall on return.
Best players for Morwell were Lachie Cloak, Hugh Dunbar, Blake Couling, Zac Cheffers, Quigley and Zac Anderson.
Tarkyn Shankland provided the highlight of the day, silencing the Moe crowd tossing a barrage of distractions over the fence with a clinical set shot in the pocket opposite the scoreboard.
Moe veteran Tom Long provided the lowlight of the day, after sending Morwell midfielder Burkeley Macfarlane off on a stretcher in the first quarter.
Macfarlane had his head over the ball in the middle of the ground, only for Long to come charging off the line and collect him with a full blooded bump head-high.
Morwell players rightly remonstrated, while Long was immediately yellow carded.
“Piss weak,” was one comment hurled from the grandstand.
“You’re too old for that Tom,” came from ground level.
Poholke hit back, telling Morwell officials to “worry about your bench”.
Macfarlane has reportedly been cleared of any serious neck injury, but will require surgery for fractures to his face.
That the bump did not spark an all-in brawl perhaps showed everyone on the ground was more shocked at what had occurred above anything.
There was no noticeable tension in the social rooms after the match either, with players from both teams mingling.
While the adage of ‘what happens on the field, stays on the field’ might have rung true, for Long, the equal adage of ‘do the crime, do the time’ is unavoidable.
Given the action (rough conduct, high impact) and the outcome, Long is most likely looking at a minimum four game suspension.
The sticking point for the tribunal will be to deem whether his action was careless or intentional.
Long can accept an early guilty plea, although Morwell has the right to appeal, which one imagines they will given recent history.
The two clubs were involved in a local footy courtroom stoush last season, after Lions midfielder Trent Baldi had his jaw broken by Anthony Rosato in the semi-final.
Adding to layers of the story, Baldi played his first game since Round 1 at the weekend.
Long returned to the field later in the game to some jeers from the crowd.
Audio from the livestream by Morwell and Moe supporters going back and forth can be heard clear as day.
Given how Moe players were seemingly riled up during the game, the match against Warragul in a fortnight suddenly carries extra interest.
Historically, the Gulls are the masters at needling opponents and producing roughhouse tactics.
That the Lions played poorly at the weekend and still won by eight goals was another key takeout.
In what would surely rock the establishment, Moe actually used less player points than Morwell as well (32 to 33).
Leongatha 32.21 (213) def Sale 3.5 (23)
LEONGATHA won by a record margin against Sale.
The Parrots defeated the hapless Magpies by 190 points, 32.21 (213) to 3.5 (23).
The margin, whilst a sorry sight, was not totally surprising.
Not to kick a horse while it’s down, but I did say Sale was predicted to be one of the worst teams the league has seen in a long, long time during preseason.
Leongatha led by five goals in the first five minutes at the Aviary, and continued on its dominance from there.
The Parrots kicked 10.5 (65) to 0.1 (1) in the final term alone.
Jenson Garnham helped himself to 11 goals, as Leongatha easily eclipsed its previous record margin against Sale of 132 points – recorded only three years ago.
That however was not the most shocking statistic – the Magpies had two hit outs for the entire game.
Bairnsdale 15.12 (102) def Drouin 14.16 (100)
BAIRNSDALE survived a heart-stopper against Drouin.
The Redlegs won by two points at home, 15.12 (102) to 14.16 (100).
A Drouin goal to Noah Lafrantz with 10 seconds to go kept everyone on edge, but Bairnsdale won the next centre clearance.
Some siren-gate madness saw the timekeepers hit the button early, meaning the ball had to be brought back to the middle.
THE Maroons have a danger game coming up against Maffra, who are coming off a promising showing against undefeated Warragul.
The Gulls clash with Leongatha this week is unquestionably match of the round.
League pundits should get a good indication as to whether or not Warragul is the real deal against the league powerhouse.
Traralgon meanwhile is nursing an extensive injury list, headlined by a broken collarbone to rebounding defender Joel Scholtes, who is likely to miss up to eight weeks.
While all the talk last week was deservedly around Sale’s Scott Pendlebury breaking the all-time AFL games record, his Collingwood teammate, Tim Membrey, has also entered some local discussion.
It is merely a suggestion at this point, but given Membrey is out of contract at the end of this season, it would not be totally surprising if he did in fact return home next year.
The 31-year-old has a house in Traralgon surrounds, and played in the Maroons’ 2011 senior premiership.
Sale’s current troubles are self-evident, and while Pendlebury looks set to play on, the trump card is always there in the back pocket.
Most footy clubs have at least one famous name they can fall back on.
Thorpdale had Jason Winderlich, Trafalgar had Brian Leys, and Wonthaggi has Jarryd Blair.
All three took their respective clubs deep into finals after being appointed coach.
While the thought of Scott Pendlebury coaching Sale is a very romantic notion, it will most likely remain in the realms of fantasy.
As one Sale pundit with his finger on the pulse told this writer “Dipper (Pendlebury) will never coach Sale”.
If they can’t get Scott, his older brother Kris is currently the head coach of Gippsland Power.
The Magpies would be mad not to at least ask the question.
Closer to home, forgotten AFL export Leo Connolly might yet be thrown a lifeline.
The former Moe footballer is currently playing VFL for Richmond. The Tigers have an astonishing injury list at AFL level, with literally 25 fit players left.
Should a few more go down, the club will have no choice but to dip into its VFL squad.
Back in the local leagues, all clubs are now on notice, with AFL Gippsland announcing integrity officers will soon be deployed to crackdown on any salary cap rorting.
For some, it may be time to say their prayers:
Now I lay me to down to sleep,
I pray that our compliance isn’t weak.
If we’re caught before we wake,
AFL Gippsland, our points they’ll take.
