FOOTBALL
GIPPSLAND LEAGUE
By LIAM DURKIN
WHEN asked to surmise Round 13 of the Gippsland League, the word ‘funny’ came to mind.
Results were funny is as much as they were somewhat surprising, given how rare it has been to see a competitive weekend of footy across Gippsland this season.
In a nice return to the usual ‘no easy games in the Gippy League’ image though, three matches were decided by less than two goals.
Much as games aren’t meant to be easy in the major league, some decisions aren’t either.
Brace yourself for a possible grand final venue change. It is understood the Gippsland League is less than pleased the North Gippsland Football-Netball League has chosen Traralgon Showgrounds to host its grand final a week before the showcase competition.
Weather pending, the added foot traffic could leave the oval in a less than desirable state.
Morwell 11.10 (76) def Maffra 9.14 (68)
HE’S like Jimmy Recard.
Everything he touches turns to gold.
Morwell, with the assistance of Harmit Singh in the coaches box, recorded its best win for the season, defeating Maffra by eight points 11.10 (76) to 9.14 (68).
The result was fitting for the Tigers of old gathered for the club’s 1996 premiership reunion.
The Eagles also famously won a premiership on the Morwell ground in 2009.
John Butcher couldn’t kick straight then (1.7), and he couldn’t on the weekend either.
While his goal-kicking didn’t cost Maffra the 2009 flag, it arguably cost them at the weekend.
He kicked two goals, but also played on from the top of the goal square, only to have the ball smothered at a crucial stage in the last quarter.
Scores were level at quarter time, before the Tigers got up and running the second term.
The home side added 4.6 (24) to just 0.2 (2) to go into halftime with all the momentum.
Maffra hit back, adding four goals of their own in the third, to set up a 12-point ballgame with one to play.
An all-in scuffle broke out on the siren, resulting in a Morwell player being yellow carded.
The Tigers scored via a goal line scramble in the last, as the game became a battle of desperate defences.
Maffra pressed, but the siren rang out, much to the delight and relief of those wearing yellow and black.
Tyler Hillier was best for the winners, followed by Cody Chapman and Zac Cantrill.
Others of note were Hugh Dunbar, who kicked a Peter Daicos-like goal, Campbell Blewett and Zac Anderson.
The result put a big dent in Maffra’s finals aspirations. The Eagles are now a game off Traralgon in fifth.
Given Maffra defeated top side Moe three weeks ago, and fell just five points short against Leongatha two weeks later, a loss to Morwell will be viewed as very much a case of ‘one step forward, two steps back’.
Thomas Scott played well, as did Alex Carr, Danny Butcher, Judd Burgiel, Coby Burgiel (back from the WAFL) and John Butcher.
Amazingly, the Eagles had five sets of brothers playing: Thomas and Darcy Scott, Max and Archer Stobie, Coby and Judd Burgiel, Harry and Will Burgiel, and John and Danny Butcher.
Coach Hayden Burgiel (Coby and Judd’s dad) has reportedly been using the electronic scoreboard to show match vision during training (genuis).
He was however defeated at the weekend by a man who has a few more tricks up his sleeve.
Singh (who oversees AFL club Richmond’s academy) has only been available to coach Morwell in person a couple of times this season.
When he has however, it has made all the difference (down by just 15 points against Moe at three quarter time in Round 6), and provided co-coach and Tigers captain Aidan Quigley with the best possible mentor.
Leongatha 14.7 (91) def Traralgon 12.8 (80)
TRARALGON again showed its true colours.
While the Maroons lost to Leongatha, the manner in which the game played out suggested Traralgon is following a similar path to previous years:
Tip toe through the home-and-away season, and hit form come September.
Leongatha won a back-and-forth affair 14.7 (91) to 12.8 (80) at Terry Hunter Oval.
The final margin was only extended after Jenson Garnham kicked truly after the final siren.
Taking out the second quarter, during which the home side conceded seven goals, Traralgon went the distance with the reigning premier.
The Maroons trailed by 24 points at the main break, but got it back to four points with one to go.
Matt Northe played a blinder for Traralgon, while opposite number Kim Drew did likewise for the Parrots.
It was a day for key position players.
Garnham kicked four in the win, and was helped by Jackson Harry, Jack Sheridan and Patrick Ireland, along with midfield bull Tom Marriot.
Traralgon’s tall timber delivered four goals each to Tom Hamilton and playing-coach Dylan Loprese.
Fellow big men Mitch Membrey, Tye Hourigan and Frazar Brouns also played well, as did Connor Ambler and Kade Thorley.
The Maroons will go into the last part of the regular season confident, following good showings against Moe and now Leongatha.
Elsewhere for the Parrots, there could be more to come from the C Grade netball match that was called off against Maffra the week before.
It is alleged a Maffra player started a scuffle without realising Leongatha had a couple of semi-professional boxers in its team.
As they said, don’t bring a knife to a gun fight.
Moe 13.13 (91) def Wonthaggi 8.5 (53)
LIKE most things in life, perspective is needed.
Moe defeated Wonthaggi in a South Gippy mudpit.
Drainage issues unfortunately left the ground a Heavy 10, making for an ugly game.
Screw ins wouldn’t have made a difference. Gum boots would have hardly done so either.
The Lions led at every change, with two late scrambled goals just before halftime proving decisive.
Jarryd Blair showed all his knowledge in the third term, successfully milking three free kicks in front of goal to keep the home side in the game.
Moe however went into three quarter time with a 33-point lead, and then played out the last term by getting repeat stoppages.
Declan Keilty clunked everything inside 50 for Moe, while Myles Poholke racked up touches at will. Nathan Scagliarini kicked two goals, working in close quarters with Blake Mullane and Chris Prowse.
Prowse and Mullane combined for play of the day, with the ruckman tapping it down perfectly to Mullane coming through on the fly at half forward during the last.
Trent Baldi took goal of the day honours with a neat left foot snap.
Spectators will hope these two teams meet in a final, in conditions more befitting a game between one and two.
A famous name appeared in the Wonthaggi social rooms after the game – none other than Newborough’s own Doc Wheildon.
IN other games, Warragul survived a huge scare, beating Bairnsdale by 12 points at home.
Drouin showed just how big the gap is between second-last and last, smashing Sale by 68 points at Sale Oval.
