MORWELL caused the biggest upset of the season, toppling the previously unbeaten Sale in a thriller.
Coach Damian Kerr was thrilled and said it was a relief.
“It was the longest week of my life after playing so badly against Moe,” Kerr said.
“During the week we spoke about where we wanted to be at.”
Sale coach Matt Ferguson said after the game that his side had no excuse for the loss.
Sale opened up a 20-point lead early in the first quarter with Mitch Davis presenting well at half forward, while Jack Brown was strong in defence for the Tigers.
Late goals to Adam Bailey and Michael Duncan saw Morwell only seven points down at the first change.
Mitch Davis kicked his third and Ryan Pendlebury saw Sale get back on top, but two goals to Duncan and one to Jeff Ryan put Morwell within a point at half time.
The Tigers were getting beaten in the aerial duels but showed greater determination at ground level.
The pressure was right on Sale, and both sides missed opportunities through turnovers midway through the third term.
When Ferguson kicked his fifth late in the final term it looked like Sale was going to keep its unbeaten record intact, but Robert Michaelides snatched the lead back for the Tigers with five minutes to play.
The next five minutes saw Morwell hang on for a meritorious win and more importantly resurrected its season.
Morwell’s only injury was a “corkie” to Jeff Ryan, who should be available for the next match against Wonthaggi Power in a fortnight.
Sale added Lachie Todd (hamstring) and Brendan Rathnow to its injury list.
Tom Crosby played ruck and was the Tigers best along with Jack Brown and Robert Michaelides.
Sale’s best players were Corey Scholtes, Kane Martin and Chris Laverty.
Josh Dunkley, son of former Sydney Swans player Andrew, is a fantastic prospect at just 15 years old.
Traralgon v Wonthaggi
Despite inaccurate kicking by Traralgon, the Maroons proved too strong for Wonthaggi in an entertaining game.
Dan McKenna was dangerous up forward and despite carrying an injury, kicked five goals while Lee Stockdale kicked three goals in five minutes.
Josh Jennings and Jackson Hall were giving the Maroons plenty of drive in the midfield and newcomer Jayden Steers excelled in his first senior game.
Wonthaggi midfielders Lucas White, Lee Warnett and Nathan Jones tried hard all day and Jack Blair kicked two excellent goals.
Maffra v Moe
Moe coach Jason Macfarlane made a one-game comeback against Maffra when Jamie Ferguson was a late withdrawal, but the Eagles were simply too good winning by 45 points.
Macfarlane said he took a reasonable mark early and then missed a sitter.
“I sat half the game on the bench and probably had a dozen possessions but the team played pretty well,” Macfarlane said.
“The scoreline did not reflect how well we played.
“We ran them off their legs in the last quarter and got within four goals before they kicked the last three.”
Adrian Burgiel was unavailable and Jack Tatterson was out injured, but Daniel Bedggood kicked five goals for Maffra.
Sam Tudor was best for Maffra along with Bedggood and Patrick Walker.
Warragul v Bairnsdale
Warragul claimed its second scalp of the season, this time beating Bairnsdale by 12 points.
The Gulls were eight points down at the final change, but with a 5.3 to 2.1 last quarter were too fit for the Redlegs.
Led superbly by Mark Bradley and Matt Gray, the Gulls trailed at every change.
Bradley and Gray were the best for the Gulls along with Clinton Rowe and Ben Hughes while James Gibbs, Cam Streeter and David Waddell played well for Bairnsdale.
Hughes kicked five and Gray four while Gibbs kicked four for the Redlegs.
Leongatha v Drouin
Leongatha went to outright favourites for the flag, thrashing a disappointing Drouin by 81 points with Dwayne Holt (eight) and Jake Best (six) kicking 14 of the team’s 20 goals.
The Parrots were ruthless against the Hawks which had no answer for Holt and Best.
Chris Verboon was Leongatha’s best player.
Pat McGrath played his usual honest game for the Hawks along with Damian Carmody and Bob McCallum.