FOOTBALL
GIPPSLAND LEAGUE
A four-goal-to-one final term helped defending premiers Leongatha run over the top of a resistant Traralgon, 12.12 (84) to 7.5 (47) in round 11.
Parrots coach Paul Carbis said the third quarter was “a bit of a battle” but was pleased his charges “stuck to the task”.
“We put a few things in place and generally if we can stick to our game we get the result,” Carbis said.
“In the third quarter the game was played in our half and I mentioned that to the group.
“We doubled their scoring shots so we were doing something right, and I keep talking about if we grind away at our opponents we’ll break them down eventually and we did.”
The Maroons forwards were limited by the shutdown efforts of Josh Schelling and Sean Westaway, who once again played crucial roles down back for the Parrots.
“Sean [Westaway] is a real leader for us and with Josh [Schelling], I just keep it simple with him and tell him to back himself,” Carbis said.
Schelling went down with a rolled ankle late in the third quarter but was able to play on.
“The game was still in the balance but Josh is so vital for us and thankfully he was able to keep playing and give us another 20 minutes,” Carbis said.
Kyle Cooper was also among the best for the Parrots and has made the transition from forward to back with ease while Sam Forrester had a blinder between the wing and half-forward and kicked two goals.
Josh Hopkins kicked three for Leongatha and Cade Maskell was the other multiple goalscorer with two.
Carbis said Schelling’s ankle injury was “not too bad” and listed him as a likely starter for the Parrots against Morwell this weekend in round 12.
Chris Dunne will also return to the side after a trip to the Northern Territory, as will Brock Davidson, but Julian Lockwood is still a while off with a broken thumb.
Moe v Sale
A two-point win over an in-form Sale side has helped Moe move a game clear in fourth spot on the Gippsland League ladder, 11.8 (74) to 10.12 (72).
Coach James Blaser said the Lions “didn’t have a great first quarter” but were able to regroup to secure a critical win over a classy opposition in the run towards finals.
“I was really pleased with way we bounced back and managed to play to the instructions given,” Blaser said.
“All 22 players were on the same page for the day, which I think was half the reason we won.” In “greasy” conditions at Moe Recreation Reserve, Blaser said the conditions played into the Lions’ hands.
“It was a bit of a congested game and when we were able to get the ball on the outside I think we were a bit too quick for them,” he said.
Dylan Farrell and Mitch Stanlake “were great” for the Lions, according to Blaser, while Jacob Wood and Tom Long “led from the front”.
“It’s great to have the senior guys and more experienced guys showing the way,” he said.
“We had three under 18 players [on Saturday] and the kids are really starting to find their feet at senior level.”
“We’re a very young [team] so it’s exciting when we have a win like that and can celebrate in front of a home crowd.”
Morwell v Bairnsdale
Morwell burst out of the blocks in the opening term in round 11 with a seven-goal first term to set up a 74-point win over Bairnsdale, 19.7 (121) to 6.11 (47).
Brandon McDonald bagged six goals to lead the Tigers to their third win of season 2018 and was helped out by Ryan Tatterson, Jack Callaway and Tyler Hillier, who all scored three each.
For the Redlegs, Link Robinson and Ethan East were the only multiple goalscorers with two each while singles went to Tomm Bryan and Russell Cowan.
Despite the loss, Bairnsdale are a game clear of the Tigers in fourth spot.
The Redlegs will travel to take on Drouin in round 12 action this weekend while Morwell will look to carry momentum forward into their clash with defending premiers Leongatha.
Maffra v Drouin
Powerhouse Maffra have bounced back from a round 10 loss to Sale and continued their march towards the 2018 post season with a clinical 65-point win over Drouin, 13.11 (89) to 3.6 (24).
Ten players hit the scoreboard with majors for the Eagles, led by league leading goalscorer Mitch Bennett who snared three to take his tally to 43 for the season – two ahead of Leongatha’s Chris Dunne. The Hawks managed just three goals in the drubbing – two of which went to Jeb McLeod.
The win is the Eagles’ 10th for the season and puts them a game clear of Leongatha.
Warragul v Wonthaggi
Warragul have recorded win number five for the 2018 season at the expense of Wonthaggi in round 11, 10.13 (73) to 3.5 (23).
The Gulls’ backline, commanded by Matt Rennie and James Davidson, limited Wonthaggi to just a single goal to three-quarter-time.
Brayden Fowler and Luke Di Ciero led the way on the score board for Warragul and finished the day with three goals each while Tom Kelly kicked two and Nathaniel Paredes one.
The win puts Warragul just outside the top five, a game off the pace of Traralgon, while Wonthaggi languish in ninth with two wins for the season.
