FOOTBALL
GIPPSLAND LEAGUE
By LIAM DURKIN
HEADING into this season, most Gippsland League pundits shared the view it was going to be a very tight competition.
No one in their right mind however surely thought it would be this tight.
While the departure of several top-line players from most clubs has meant a decrease in the overall standard since last year, the fact it has created the most competitive senior football competition in the state would have to be viewed as a positive trade-off.
Yes, the Gippsland League is currently the most competitive in the entire state. The league ranks number one for competitiveness, with an average margin spread of just 20 points.
Round 14 action continued to uphold such numbers, with three of the five games decided by less than three goals, and another by four.
Bairnsdale 8.10 (58) def by Moe 11.9 (75)
MOE took a step closer to finals qualification.
The Lions broke away from a persistent Bairnsdale, winning 11.9 (75) to 8.10 (58).
Making the trip east, the visitors overcame gloomy conditions that saw the lights turned on for the entire game, before high winds wreaked havoc in the last quarter.
With the carpark at Bairnsdale City Oval comprising mostly of self-binding gravel, players and spectators were ducking for cover as small sandstorms were created.
On field, the Lions led at every change, although the Redlegs stayed within striking distance for the most part.
Returning from the halftime interlude 16 points down, Bairnsdale enjoyed periods of dominance in the third, yet only won the quarter by one solitary behind.
Moe made the most of their opportunities, and a Harri Sim goal right on the eve of three quarter time proved pivotal.
The third quarter was not without a story in itself, as Moe ruckman Chris Prowse was injured following a contest.
The stretcher was called for but not used, and while Prowse got to his feet, he was taken straight into the rooms without first going through the interchange gates.
Therefore, he was unable to play the last quarter.
The Lions’ lead at three quarter time was virtually the same as it was half-an-hour earlier, and given the choppy conditions, gave them some handy breathing space.
Moe playing-coach Declan Keilty had to put himself in the ruck at times in the absence of Prowse, working alongside usual ruck and the suddenly promoted Lachlan McGrath.
Keilty set the game alight in the final term, kicking four goals as Bairnsdale threw down a number of challenges.
The Redlegs were only nine points behind at the 15-minute mark, and kicked three unanswered goals late to keep the game interesting.
Moe settled however, and a goal to Jacob Balfour as the clocked ticked deep into time on secured victory.
The severity of the wind saw an Oscar Clarke set shot from deep in the pocket in front of the changerooms curl wildly from left to right and drop in behind the right goal post, while at the other end, Keilty nailed a set shot as both posts were shaking so violently it took the phrase ‘control the controllables’ to a new level.
Moe midfielder Riley Baldi got busy in the last, having nine touches after being closely minded in the third.
His Bairnsdale counterpart Will Mitchell had 40 possessions, and was best on for the home side. Others to play well for the Redlegs were Ethan East, Randall Stewart, Matt Corbett, Josh Lando and Cooper Harvey.
Scott van Dyk was best for Moe, followed by Keilty, Brock Smith, Ben Daniher, Trent Baldi and Luke Mulqeen.
The Lions’ day was highlighted by youngster Jordan Shields making his debut.
What’s more, he kicked a goal with his first kick in senior football, and it just so happened to be his side’s first for the game.
Accepting a handball amid some congestion, Shields snapped truly on the right, and was immediately mobbed by teammates coming in to congratulate him.
The son of 2000 Trood Award and Rodda Medallist, Jason Shields, Jordan was given the number 2 jumper worn by his dad in more than 200 senior games with Moe.
Morwell 7.7 (49) def by Maffra 8.4 (52)
THIS is getting ridiculous now for Morwell.
The Tigers were involved in yet another nerve-killing game at the weekend, going down by three points to Maffra, 8.4 (52) to 7.7 (49).
Unbelievably, the Tigers have been involved in 17 games decided by 10 points or less since 2022.
As one prominent Morwell official told this writer after Morwell drew against Traralgon back in Round 9 – “we make life hard for ourselves”.
Morwell’s latest effort just made things even harder.
While the Tigers are still two points clear in fifth, losing at home to the bottom side was absolutely the last result they could afford.
Especially when you consider Morwell plays three of the top four sides (Leongatha, Sale and Traralgon) to finish the regular season.
On a day when Maffra captain Daniel Bedggood joined Winston Gieschen as the most capped senior Eagle on 253 games, the team wearing red and black snatched victory from the jaws of defeat.
Morwell did well to lose this really.
The Tigers kept the Eagles scoreless in the first term, and had repeat inside 50s during the last quarter.
Leading by three points, a rare forward entry saw Maffra’s Kade Renooy accept a mark from a high ball, before playing on to snap truly.
Morwell responded through Cody Macdonald doing likewise, and with seconds ticking down, it appeared the Tigers were going to get out of jail.
Cast your mind back to Sydney versus Geelong in the 2005 semi.
“I see it, but I don’t believe it”.
In eerily similar circumstances, a ball-up at the top of goalsquare at the Princes Highway end saw Maffra midfielder Alex Carr snap home the winner with just over a minute remaining.
If banners back in 2005 read ‘Nick Davis come to save us’, the Gippsland League equivalent might well be ‘Alex Carr raises the bar’.
Maffra forced enough time out of the remaining minute to kill the game, on their way to recording their second win of the season.
For a team that has struggled, and looks certain to claim the wooden spoon, victory over a potential finalist saw scenes of absolute jubilation follow the final siren.
Carr was best-on, while James Read, Tom Scott, Ashton Wright, Brayden Monk and Isaiah Butters were prominent.
Max Linton, Aidan Quigley, Burkeley Macfarlane, Boyd Bailey, Brandon Bailey and Macdonald collected the votes for Morwell.
The result looms as one that will have huge ramifications for the Tigers, with the race to September intensifying.
The disappointment of the result aside, how the last play unfolded could leave Morwell playing-coach Boyd Bailey with his most anguish.
Just how was Carr allowed to waltz through without anyone getting a hand on him?
When you are three points up with a minute left, surely it is bumper bars at stoppage and lock on.
Wonthaggi 8.5 (53) def Traralgon 6.6 (42)
WATCH out for Wonthaggi.
The Power surged back into contention after beating Traralgon.
Needing to take a scalp to remain in the finals race, Wonthaggi did just that, beating the second-placed Maroons 8.5 (53) to 6.6 (42).
Wonthaggi overcame an eight point halftime deficit at home, kicking five goals to two after the main break.
The home side kept Traralgon scoreless in the third term, and while the Maroons did similar when they had their turn kicking with a strong breeze (keeping Wonthaggi to one behind in the last quarter), it wasn’t enough.
Kaj Patterson was best for the winners, followed by Isaac Chugg, Jakeb Thomas, Shannon Bray, Aiden Lindsay and Blake Cornelis.
Cornelis is shaping as one of the great stories from season 2024. After playing in the reserves the last two years, he has played the last three weeks in the top grade, and could do enough to hold his spot in time for September.
Granted the Power are still seventh, their victory at the weekend took them to a win-loss record of 7-7.
Wonthaggi are only two points outside the top five, and look to be playing their best footy leading into the most important time of the year.
After being decimated with unavailability in the first seven rounds, Power coach Jarryd Blair has expertly negotiated the situation, turning a disastrous 2-5 record around to 5-2 in the last seven rounds.
That Wonthaggi has now beaten Traralgon, and fallen only 14 points short of Leongatha and three points shy of Moe since the halfway mark of the year, means the Power should be viewed as an absolute danger should they reach finals. Truthfully, Wonthaggi are a smokey to go all the way.
Unlike last year, where the Power set the pace at the top of the ladder, their slow start to this season could inadvertently give them even more momentum on the run to finals.
Those who believe in things levelling out might also feel Wonthaggi deserve to be in the premiership conversation.
Wonthaggi was arguably the best team last year and didn’t win it. This year, they might not be the best team, but they could well be once September starts.
Highlighting the Power’s win was the debuts of twins Connor and Tom Macmillan. The youngsters, still in fourths, created their own unique slice of history when they ran out for their first game together.
Luis D’Angelo, Mitch Membrey, Jordan Cunico, Harvey Neocleous, Connor Ambler and Dylan Loprese were best for Traralgon.
Sale 13.17 (95) def Drouin 11.7 (73)
SALE withstood a decent challenge from Drouin in Round 14 of Gippsland League football.
While the Magpies won 13.17 (95) to 11.7 (73), they were kept honest by a determined visiting side.
The Hawks trailed by just seven points at the main break, and 17 points at three quarter time, as some errant kicking by Sale meant the game was closer than it perhaps should have been.
The Magpies were accurate in front of goal for all the wrong reasons – hitting the post four times.
Such a feat was somewhat noteworthy given the strong westerly breeze blowing across Sale Oval for most of the afternoon.
After registering 8.15 (63) in the first three quarters, Sale straightened up in the last, kicking 5.2 (32) to win by 22 points.
Drouin for their worth also registered four goals in the final stanza, playing the game right out to the end.
Tom Campbell kicked four goal in the win. The unassuming forward now has 30 goals for the year, beating his previous best in black and white stripes of 25 two years ago.
Much like Maffra’s Andrew Petrou before him, while Campbell might not look like a footballer, he is someone who can be damaging if not shown enough respect.
Jack McLaren picked up where he left off last season with a best-on-ground performance. Coming back from long-term injury, it has taken McLaren just three weeks to find his feet again.
Others to play well were Hudson Holmes, Cody Henness, Jarrod Freeman, and the man recently rated Sale’s G.O.A.T – Shannen Lange.
Ed Morris, tipped to be Drouin’s coach next year, kicked three goals, and received good support from a man who has previously coached the Hawks in Jordan Kingi.
Seb Amorosso, Tim Hancock, Mitch Cotter and Kye Quirk were also solid contributors.
The win took Sale to outright fourth on the ladder.
The Magpies have a tough fortnight ahead, with games against Traralgon and Leongatha, and given the logjam of teams, will more than likely be fighting to keep their top five spot all the way to Round 18.
Warragul 1.1 (7) def by Leongatha 6.10 (46)
THERE wouldn’t be many seasons that don’t involve Leongatha and the record books.
The Parrots kept Warragul to the second-lowest ever score for a Round 14 game in Gippsland League history.
In a dour day at Western Park, the home side managed just 1.1 (7) to Leongatha’s 6.10 (46).
Warragul ‘missed’ the record by just three points. That unwanted distinction belongs to Bairnsdale, who kicked 0.4 (4) against Traralgon only as recently as 2016 oddly enough.
Showing how much has changed in local footy, Warragul replaced current East Gippsland side Stratford on the list of lowest Round 14 scores.
At the time, Stratford themselves were playing a team that has since merged. The Swans scored 1.2 (8) against Yallourn in 1964.
A quick history lesson: Stratford had a brief affiliation with the major league (then called Latrobe Valley) from 1961 to 1964.
The Swans found the going tough, winning just nine games in their four years.
Yallourn meanwhile merged with Yallourn North in 1977, and competed in the Gippsland League as YYN until 1985 before moving to the Mid Gippsland Football-Netball League (until 2020) and then North Gippsland FNL (2021-present).
‘Back in the day’ the Gippsland League essentially took in towns along the main train line, hence Stratford’s affiliation.
To the present, where only five clubs have frequent train access (Traralgon, Morwell, Moe, Warragul and Drouin), Leongatha found prompt and reliable service from Kim Drew, playing against his old side.
Jenson Garnham nailed three goals, while Jay Walker, Ben Willis, Tallin Brill and Adam Trotto all had good moments.
James Davidson, Lucas Carter, Patrick Carpenter, Liam Serong, Jake Hughes and Isaac Wallace were best for the Gulls.
