FOOTBALL
GIPPSLAND LEAGUE
There were some big winning margins in round two of the Gippsland League, but none bigger than Morwell’s.
The Tigers slammed on 31 goals to beat Drouin by a whopping 187-points.
Two rounds into its campaign for back-to-back premierships, Morwell has once again stamped its authority on the competition.
The first team to score more than 200-points in 2014, Morwell sits at the top of the ladder more than 300 per cent clear of any other team.
“We played the minutes and we are glad to get the four points,” Morwell coach Harmit Singh said.
Scoring five goals to one in the opening term, the Tigers had a relatively slow start.
Morwell improved on that with six in the second, however the damage was done in the second half, which saw the reigning premier kick 20 goals to one.
“Difficult conditions but the boys were pretty clean. They executed the plans we put in place and we were glad to get the four points,” Singh said.
Premiership forward Dean Macdonald was among the Tigers’ biggest contributors with eight goals, equalling Russ Peachey’s 1961 record for Morwell against Drouin, while Mannon Johnston finished the afternoon with a bag of seven.
“It was a pleasing performance by the group of 21 contributors who all played their roles,” Singh said.
The coach was particularly impressed by the performance of two Tiger debutants.
“Former Gippsland Power and Traralgon under 18s player Doug Grinning was sensational in the ruck alongside fellow debutant Al Jenkin,” Singh said.
Moe v Warragul
Last year it took Moe 11 rounds to get its first win of the season, but this year the Lions sang the team song in round two.
Not only did Moe post its biggest win in a long time in the seniors, by 135-points over Warragul, but the new look club won all of its football and netball games.
“Absolutely incredible, all grades won. It was a big thrill,” Moe president Manny Gelagotis said.
“We have been working hard since December, all our players were good, our recruits were brilliant,” he said.
Moe kicked off its first home game with an eight goal opening term and led by 47-points at the first change.
The Lions did not look back, putting together a four quarter performance which comprised 23 majors. Tom Long booted eight of those goals, while former Trafalgar player James Blaser kicked six.
Coach Adrian Burgiel is among a trio of players still to come into the Moe outfit.
The club is also looking forward to showing off another two recruits from neighbouring Trafalgar; former coach Chris Kyricaou and Michael Farrell, both Bloods premiership players.
“Chris is working away at the moment but he is fit and very keen and he will add a lot of experience to our side,” Gelagotis said.
And Moe’s depth goes further than that.
“We have a number of kids playing in the thirds that are seniors material .. that’s where our X-factor is going to be,” Gelagotis said.
Off field, Moe has enlisted the help of some former AFL players.
“Three of the four people on our coaching panel have AFL experience,” Gelagotis said.
AFL legend Kevin Sheedy is the Lions’ number one ticket holder and dual Brownlow Medallist Greg Williams is also helping behind the scenes, along with assistant coach Troy Makepeace.
Wonthaggi v Traralgon
Traralgon’s hopes of a win on the road against Wonthaggi were dashed, when it suffered its second consecutive loss of the season.
Returning home from an opening round loss to Morwell, the Power got off to the dream start.
It booted five goals to the Maroons’ two in the first to take an 18-point lead into quarter-time.
The margin was 19-points at the half after a more even second term. The Power won another low scoring third term, to lead by 29-points at the last change.
Traralgon managed three goals to Wonthaggi’s two in the last, but it was too little too late for the visitor, as the Power won by 21-points.
Earl Shaw was among Wonthaggi’s best with four goals.
Sale v Leongatha
Sale came from behind to win its round two clash against the much improved Leongatha.
Having travelled to Sale to take on last year’s runner up, the Parrots had the upper hand early.
After a stern talking to from coach Matt Ferguson at quarter-time, the Magpies came out firing in the second, booting six goals to the Parrots two to lead by eight-points at the main change.
The home team managed just one major in a low scoring third term, however kept the visitor goalless and took a 13-point advantage into the last change.
The experienced Magpies managed to extend their lead in an inaccurate final term.
Sale booted three goals seven to two goals two, to run out a 24-point winner.
Marc Truscio was named best on ground for the Parrots with three goals.
Bairnsdale v Maffra
Crowds were treated to a close one at Bairnsdale yesterday afternoon, with the home team fighting off a defiant Maffra outfit to win by 14-points.
The Redlegs got the jump on the visitor early, with a six goal to two opening term.
But Maffra had the answer in the second. The Eagles slammed on six goals to Bairnsdale’s one to lead by a point at the main change. The tables were again turned in the third, which saw the home team boot four goals to Maffra’s two, to lead by 13-points at the final change.
Both teams added another six majors to their tallies, but it was the less accurate Redlegs ahead when the final siren sounded, the tune of 13-points.
James Gibbs (Bairnsdale) and Darren Sheen (Maffra) were the stars up forward, with five goals apiece.
Brad Caldwell also booted four for the Eagles.
Trivia
Morwell’s 31.22 (208) is its second biggest score ever against Drouin, behind the 34.16 (220) they scored in 2006. It’s winning margin of 187-points is a club record for matches against Drouin, beating the 162-point margin from that 2006 match.
By beating Leongatha, Sale has extended its unbeaten run on its home ground to 21 successive victories, their last loss at home being in round 15, 2011.
