LIAM DURKIN
FOOTBALL
GIPPSLAND LEAGUE
By LIAM DURKIN
GOD Moe did well.
The Lions made the hour-long trip to Wonthaggi, for what was seen as their first big test of the Gippsland League season.
The result from that test was an A+.
On the scoreboard, that was victory to the tune of 28 points, 12.10 (82) to 8.6 (54).
Those familiar with the film Old School might recall the scene where Will Ferrell’s character instantly becomes a debating expert, to which the opposition can only come back with “we have no response”.
That was Wonthaggi in the second half.
The Power genuinely looked clueless at times after the main break, as Moe piled on nine goals to two.
Coming into the Round 3 match, Wonthaggi had defeated 2022 grand finalists Sale, and got within three points of handing reigning premier Leongatha their first loss since 2021.
By contrast, while Moe did come in with a 2-0 record, those wins had been against a young Morwell and a depleted Warragul.
From the outset, the contest had the makings of one that would give pundits an insight as to whether or not Moe would be a genuine challenger this season.
Taking down Wonthaggi on their home deck is rarely easy. Even more so when they have someone who played AFL last year.
That the Lions managed to do it without Tom Long, Trent Baldi, Kristian Jaksch, Ben Maslen or Charlie Rieniets only adds to the merit of what they were able to achieve.
With the Wonthaggi ground looking immaculate in readiness for the VFL game they are hosting, the opening term saw the home side take advantage.
Moe tidied up their disposal in the second, and were able to add three goals to two as both teams traded momentum. Although the Lions trailed by 14 points at the main break, they had registered 10 scoring shots to nine.
Moe flicked the switch at the start of the third term, and immediately set about clawing their way in front.
They were able to do this in small way thanks to the aerial dominance of Nick Prowse, who kicked three goals in 10 minutes. He was just clunking everything.
The Lions raised their pressure level to elite, which forced Wonthaggi to become handball crazy around the contest. These weren’t constructive handballs mind you.
It was evident the Power were rattled by the sudden change in momentum, which was also causing them to shift away from their structure. Wonthaggi midfielder and captain Aiden Lindsay could be heard quite clearly shouting at his defenders to “Get up here!” to pick up Moe forwards emptying out.
Wonthaggi was able to peg a goal back through Tom Davey at the 13 minute mark, but this was followed by Prowse nailing his third for the quarter.
Such was Moe’s pressure, even Isaac Chugg, who played for Collingwood last year, was turning the ball over by foot.
Chugg’s emotions got the better of him during the third, as he had a decision reversed, giving Moe another chance to go forward.
Needing a steady head amid all the carnage, Power coach Jarryd Blair provided just that, weaving his way through traffic and finding Davey inside 50 with a kick that just went the required journey.
The other Blair, younger brother Jack, showcased similar class to find Cooper McInnes inside 50, only for him to do as Davey did and miss a set shot.
Inside red time, Moe had a few nervous moments to negotiate. Some desperation from Lions vice captain Harri Sim to smother the ball out of bounds was timely, as was a spoil from Tyson Biffin on Wonthaggi key forward Troy Harley, preventing a certain shot on goal.
Moe’s backline held strong under incredible duress as three quarter time approached, and when the siren sounded, most wearing the maroon and blue would have been thinking ‘it’s come at a good time for us’.
Wonthaggi was still clearly frustrated by how things were panning out, with cries of “pay the free kick!” directed at umpires.
A grandstand finish was on the cards as just one point separated combatants at the final change.
Moe coach Declan Keilty praised his sides willingness to compete, and reiterated that the “contest has to be strong” during the final term.
For some unknown reason, the non-entrance end of the ground had been the scoring end all day, despite there being hardly any wind to speak of.
In the reserves match, all 12 of the games goals were kicked at that end.
If there was a scoring end, Moe made full use of it in the last – kicking five goals to one.
Harry Pepper gave the visitors an ideal start, getting goal-side and outmuscling Jarryd Blair in the goal square to slam through the Lions first within the first two minutes.
Another grab and conversion from Prowse at the five minute mark took the lead to 13 points, before an incredible snap from Lions skipper Jacob Wood extended the lead.
Without over exaggerating, it was like the Harlem Globetrotters had come to Wonthaggi at the start of the last.
Despite the dream start, Moe had to stay calm, as their flurry of goals meant there was still plenty of time left for Wonthaggi to mount a comeback.
But it’s hard to score when you can’t get the ball inside 50.
Wonthaggi did not have an inside 50 in the last quarter until the 14 minute mark.
Their only highlight came when Jack Hutchinson snapped a goal off one step from 45 metres and it went through post height.
Speaking to Wonthaggi supporters, Hutchinson is that type of player. He won’t touch the ball for three quarters, and then do something like kick three in the last when the game is on the line.
This game however wasn’t on the line after the 15 minute mark.
Best afield Ben Daniher set up the sealing goal, hitting Pepper on the chest with a beautiful left foot pass.
Pepper’s follow up took the margin to 26 points, followed up a short time later by Wood, who dobbed a set shot from 25 metres out to signal a very enjoyable bus trip home.
It was perhaps fitting, and equally synoptic, that the two captains had the last shots on goal for their team. While Wood’s shot went through, Lindsay’s went out on the full.
Pepper was among the best players for Moe. His desperation and football IQ stood out, particularly late in the last term when he managed to pin a Wonthaggi player holding the ball, grabbing the very last inch of his jumper. In the third, he smartly got the ball forward with a number of clever knock-ons.
Prowse kicked five goals, and was supported by Riley Baldi and Grady Cocksedge.
Baldi might be making the trip to Wonthaggi again this Sunday, if selected for Casey.
Chugg, Shannon Bray, Lindsay, Brodie Mabilia, Kyle Reid and Josh Schulz were best for the Power.
While Moe might have forced Wonthaggi to turn the ball over, they didn’t force them to completely change their style – at least not to the everyday observer.
It did appear the Power just kept playing the same way all game.
Whether or not Wonthaggi does in fact have a Plan B is sure to become a discussion point among Gippsland League followers.
Jacob Wood was also in the best for Moe, and enjoyed arguably his most memorable win as captain of the Lions.
Granted he has led the team to victory in finals, but in relative terms, to beat a very good Wonthaggi team in Wonthaggi, four games after they got within two points of making the grand final, would surely mean this one ranks highly.
While there tends to be recency bias in football, this would have to be Moe’s best win on the road in recent memory.
Maybe Traralgon at Traralgon in 2017 is comparable.
Even in 2019 when the Lions made a preliminary final, they lost to Bairnsdale over there during the regular season.
Keilty rated it the best win of his short coaching career to date.
“It was pretty proud, always tough going up to Wonthaggi and playing them, they’re a quality side so to come home with a win was very pleasing, really big positive,” he said.
Keilty paid credit to his troops, particularly for their work after quarter time.
“Allowing them to kick four goals to our three points in the first quarter calls for a bit of motivation in the way we are doing things, but I wasn’t overly panicked at where we were. I felt like we had a fair bit of the ball and we had opportunities we just didn’t capitalise,” he said.
“The message during the game wasn’t so much ‘change the way we go about it’, it was just continue to do what we’ve been doing and capitalise on the opportunities we have and make sure we control the ball when we get it back, and I think the guys did that really well in the second half.
“Our midfielders and high half forwards, they did a really great job.
“You can sometimes have that perceived pressure about you when you think you’re about to get tackled and you’re not, the defence was able to set up a lot better in that third quarter so it put the ball carrier in two minds about their decision making, the pressure was right up and we managed to get the game back on our terms.”
Taking a moment to reflect, the win was rather poignant considering the last time Moe ventured down to Wonthaggi.
On that day in Round 18 last season, with the Lions season done and dusted, the match became a ‘let’s get this over with’ affair.
The seniors lost by 92 points. The reserves plucked players from literally everywhere to put a side on the park.
That day was surely long forgotten last Saturday.
Perhaps most pleasing for Moe was the fact 19 of the 22 that played in that Round 18 game are still with the club.
Additionally, all 21 who played in the reserves last Saturday either played with Moe last season or were previous Moe juniors.
What a difference eight months makes.
MATE, Traralgon are good.
The Maroons took down traditional rival Morwell in brutal fashion on Saturday night, winning 14.18 (102) to 5.4 (34).
While matches are often tight whenever these two teams meet, that was far from the case under the Terry Hunter Oval lights.
A line in the Traralgon song is ‘shake down the thunder from the sky’. The Maroons shook much more than their opposition on Saturday night, sending an ominous warning to the rest of the competition in the process.
Such was the destructive nature of Traralgon’s gameplay – even the siren malfunctioned.
For the neutral observer, that was about the only exciting thing that happened, as the Maroons led by 23, 46, 56 and 58 points at each of the breaks.
A carnival atmosphere and perfect conditions greeted spectators at Terry Hunter Oval.
Music blared from the scoreboard end during the first term, with the Kanye West track Homecoming featuring on a portable speaker brought in by spectators, while a little further away, kids were kept entertained as the film Space Jam 2 played out on the big screen.
Traralgon fans would have been entertained by what took place out on the ground.
The carnival setting was perhaps fitting, as Traralgon played as if it was an exhibition game.
Every player wearing maroon appeared to know when it was their turn to be part of the narrative, and executed their role accordingly.
Traragon opened the game with three goals to none, exerting their dominance with a strong display.
Brett Eddy gave The Deck one for the highlight reel, kicking an insane goal in the pocket right in front of their eyes.
If you told Morwell before the game Eddy was only going to kick three goals for the game, they might have been forgiven for thinking they were a sporting chance.
What they perhaps didn’t plan for was Jackson McMahon running down from halfback and kicking just as many.
McMahon had close to 40 touches and was clearly best on ground. No one even went near him.
Having laid a solid base, Traralgon was out to produce more of the same in the second quarter.
While a lot of games take a quarter or so to open up, the Maroons were already finding themselves with the ball in acres of space.
Traralgon’s ability to make the ground look big was evident, and players were heard to say “keep looking sideways” during the quarter time address.
Whatever the Maroons did during preseason showed in the second term, as their work rate at both ends of the ground led to them adding 4.5 (29) to 1.0 (6).
Morwell did get a few looks inside 50, with a long range goal from Adam Braendler providing a bit of a lift, however, Traralgon simply had too many answers, or more accurately, too many numbers at the ball whenever there was a contest in dispute.
Once the ball hit the deck, the Maroons were off and full of run. A perfectly still night meant there was little excuse for skill errors, however, the Maroons’ pressure meant the Tigers almost had no option but to take the ball back to where it came from – which played right into Traralgon’s hands.
An example of this came when Tom Schneider took a mark right in front of goal following a passage of play when Morwell switched it on the last line of defence, and chose to come back the same way.
The Maroons’ played a very high press, which at one stage saw every single player forward of centre. Tye Hourigan drifted down from centre half back to take a terrific grab at half forward, while Traralgon’s pressure led to another goal thanks to a slick intercept and snap among a string of spinning handballs.
The Maroons were also getting it done at ground level. Their cleanliness below their knees stood out, as did their desperation.
A strong tackle from Lucas Tripodi in the middle of the ground gave the home side another chance to stream forward.
The Tigers’ brains appeared scrambled by the 18 minute mark. The visitors defence had their work cut out, and if body language by way of throwing arms up was any indication, they were saying “what do we do?”
McMahon kicked a long range goal on the eve of halftime, lining up for an eternity to receive a handball at the top of the 50, taking the score to 7.12 (54) to 1.2 (8).
Even the siren almost didn’t save Morwell – the first half ending in bizarre fashion when someone had to run out and let the umpires know time was up.
With both the siren and the Tigers’ energy down, the visitor’s woes continued in the second half.
Morwell was able to add a couple of goals, while a strong mark from Dan Musil in defence showed good character sitting under a high ball.
However, it was to be a rare highlight for the Tigers, their frustrations clearly evident after giving away a free kick for late contact.
A replacement siren had been located by the time the last change rolled around, this one giving off an air raid type sound compared to the usual fog horn one.
As players made their way to the huddle, the scoreboard now showed Traralgon leading 11.12 (78) to 3.4 (22).
The Maroons piled on more pain in the final term, at times treating Morwell as little more than witches hats.
Had it not been for a return of 3.6 (24), the margin could have easily crept toward triple figures.
Hourigan got in on the act with an effortless goal from outside 50 after receiving a handball from a stationary player, kicking it straight through.
The Tigers’ offence was stifled as on three consecutive occasions they got the ball forward of centre, only to lace out a Maroon jumper.
Unfortunately for Morwell, as the game wore on, it seemed the harder they tried the worse things became.
When you are getting badly beaten, it is only natural for players to feel they need to get closer to the contest. That however only served to benefit Traralgon even further.
With so many yellow and black jumpers around the ball, whenever they did win it, they had no one to kick to.
Traralgon on the other hand, simply sat out and waited for the ball to come.
Morwell full back Ryan Hearn was kept busy, and battled manfully, while at the other end, Brandon McDonald made the most of limited opportunities.
Others to put in decent efforts for the Tigers were Brandon Mcauliffe, Cody Macdonald, Sam Walsh, and playing-coach Boyd Bailey.
It will be back to the drawing board for new coach Bailey, as he is faced with dealing with his first ‘flogging’.
Granted the Tigers are a young side, and lost Tristen Waack to VFL duty the day before, but nonetheless, this performance would have to be labelled a step backwards.
It wasn’t just a loss – it was an annihilation, and to a team not too dissimilar to the one Morwell played in a final just last season.
On the other side of the fence, Traralgon coach Jake Best, still sidelined with injury, was understandably pleased with his team’s efforts.
Keeping the coaching hat firmly on, he didn’t go as far to say it was a ‘complete performance’, but said he was “happy with the win.”
“I thought our pressure was really good, lot of contributors, guys playing their role, overall pretty happy,” he said.
“I feel like we are getting better and better, this group is another year older, we’ve got some really good young kids that are getting better every week.”
Traralgon captain and usual centre half forward Dylan Loprese played at centre half back, getting the job on Braendler.
Best said the move wasn’t permanent, but showcased the side’s versatility and further emphasised role clarity, an element that really shone through watching this game.
“He played down back last week, it is just a week by week thing just on match-ups, just allows us to go a little bit smaller up forward,” Best said of the skipper.
“Brett Eddy down the other end played a good game, and what he does is bring others into the game. We’re not actually worried about him kicking big bags either, it’s just about him playing a role and bringing the ball to ground so our smalls can go to work.”
Eddy kicked three goals and was listed in the best players, as was Kade Ruyters who did likewise. Hourigan, Schneider and Hugh Dunbar also put in strong performances.
Best reported it would be business as usual heading into Round 4 despite having less time to recover and the public holiday yesterday.
Traralgon trained yesterday in preparation for the trip to Drouin.
The night game gave those from local clubs who had played earlier in the day the chance to come down and watch, while excellent lighting lit up a grand stage.
Once those new rooms and canteen come through, Traralgon will just about have the complete facility.
Told you Traralgon were going to be good.
NOT a bad way to celebrate your comeback.
Leongatha forward Jack Ginnane had a day out on Saturday, kicking 11 goals against Warragul.
The long sleeve wearing Parrot entered the record books, equalling the record for the most goals kicked for a Leongatha player against the Guls.
Ginnane now shares the record with former Footscray and Melbourne player Adrian Campbell, (who also kicked 11 in 1999), and Nick Nagel (2011).
Ginnane, who missed last season’s premiership through suspension, saw the Parrots to a near 100 point victory at Western Park, 21.13 (139) to 6.6 (42).
That is now 31 wins in a row for Leongatha.
Such a margin demonstrated the sheer scoring power of the visitors, as the game was actually close at quarter time.
Warragul took it right up to the Parrots in a high scoring opening stanza, and were only two points behind when the first break was called.
But, like Richmond between 2018-19, it was as if Leongatha said “okay, we’ll start trying now”, and in the second term, they added 5.3 (33) to no score.
The Parrots went on their way after the main break, and again kept the Gulls scoreless, this time in the final term.
Leongatha stretched the margin with eight goals in the last quarter, on their way to a rampaging win.
Ginnane was best for the victors, and received good support from Mitch Bentvelzen, Aaron Heppell, Luke Bowman, Aaron Turton and Guy Dickson.
Better players for Warragul were Sam Whibley, James Davidson, Liam Serong, Nick Mulqueen and Brad Hefford.
ANOTHER close loss for Drouin.
The Hawks went down in a high-scoring clash with Bairnsdale, 16.12 (108) to 14.17 (101).
Making the long trip to Bairnsdale City Oval, the home side caught Drouin napping in the first quarter, as they piled on four goals to one.
It was more of the same in the second, with the Redlegs scoring six goals to four to take a 29-point lead into the sheds.
While the margin was more of the same at three quarter time, the ease at which both teams were scoring meant it was still anyone’s game.
The Hawks kicked five goals in the third to Bairnsdale’s four, and very nearly pinched victory with four goals to two in the last.
Had it not been for poor conversion, Drouin may well have been singing the club song all the way home. The Hawks ended up kicking two less goals than the Redlegs and only lost by seven points.
Hugo Birks continued his strong start to the season, kicking six goals for Drouin. He was backed up by Aaron Powell, Jarrod Marshall, Noah Glen, Will Papley and Shay Harvey.
Frustratingly for the Hawks, they are sitting 0-3, with all three losses by single digits.
It really can be a cruel game.
Nonetheless, the margins prove Drouin won’t be an opposition to be taken lightly this season.
By contrast, Bairnsdale is yet to lose a game, although there has been a draw among their first three matches, and they have won their other two games by single figures.
It really can be a game where the margin for error is so small.
The Redlegs sit third on the ladder, but have a tough three weeks to come taking on Moe away, Leongatha (away) and then welcoming Wonthaggi.
Kieran Vickery was best in the Drouin win, followed by Logan Austin, Oscar Pike, Byron Vickery, Link Mckenna and Tom Hudson.
Key player Will Mitchell missed this match due to concussion protocol, and is expected to be available this weekend.
THEY are always close games between Sale and Maffra.
So close in fact, the head-to-head leading into last Saturday was Sale 143, Maffra 142 with three draws.
The Magpies now have a two game lead on the tally board, after fighting off a determined Eagles outfit to win 12.11 (83) to 10.9 (69).
The most recent Battle of the Birds clash at Sale Oval had everything spectators have come to expect whenever the old rivals meet.
Maffra got away to a blistering start, putting up 6.1 (37) in the first quarter.
The Eagles feasted on turnover, as Jett Killoran, Daniel Bedggood and Brayden Monk got to work early.
Sale tided up their ball use after the first break, with playing-coach Jack Johnstone changing a few things structurally, sending himself forward to try and generate some scoreboard pressure.
While the Magpies efficiency may have improved, their overall situation did not, as by halftime they trailed by 21 points – the exact same deficit that greeted them at quarter time.
Come the third term however, it was a different story.
Sale vice captain Jack Mclaren came to life, and the Magpies began to slowly but surely chew away at the margin.
The home side did as their opponents did in the first, kicking six goals while keeping the Eagles to just one major for the second quarter in a row.
Once Sale got on top in clearances, they were able to take ascendency, and by three quarter time, the Magpies led by 12 points.
Across the ground there was some good one-on-ones taking place. Jake Hutchins had a very good battle with Bedggood, while Will Leslie had the job on key Maffra forward John Butcher.
With the game on the line and 20 minutes for either side to register their first win for the season, the last quarter opened with the Eagles coming at Sale hard.
The visitors were a tad unlucky, hitting the post twice just as they looked to be mounting a comeback.
In the end however, the experience and perhaps a touch more class from Sale enabled the Magpies to record a hard-fought 14 point victory.
Hudson Holmes was among the best players for Sale playing against his old club, while McLaren was a clear best on ground due to his work around and post stoppage.
Daine McGuiness continued to impress, and has put together a strong year and a bit of senior football in the black and white.
Cooper Whitehill was also prominent, while unassuming small forward Tom Campbell kicked three goals.
Shannen Lange and Nathan Pollard went hammer and tong, with the latter assigned the tagging job on the Magpie ace.
Given both players were named second best on for their respective sides, a nil-all draw was perhaps an accurate summary of who got the better of who.
Both Carr boys, Ed and Alex, were good for Maffra, as was Monk, Killoran and Kieran Jones.
Eagles midfielder Danny Butcher took home the Carter-Hill medal.
