FOOTBALL
GIPPSLAND LEAGUE
By LIAM DURKIN
THAT’S the top five set – just about.
While mathematically, one finals spot still remains open with two rounds to go in the Gippsland League, the likelihood of there being any changes to the top five would not pass any feasibility tests.
The trading of places between Morwell and Wonthaggi continued at the weekend, although it now looks as though the Tigers are just about safe and secure as a finals lock.
Morwell needs to win just one of its last two games to make finals an absolute certainty – a task much easier than the Power, who are on the same number of points (36), but facing the top two teams in Leongatha and Moe. By contrast, the Tigers play Sale (ninth) and Bairnsdale (seventh).
Local patriotism will receive a boost should Morwell qualify, as it will mean all Latrobe Valley teams are finals bound (for the first time since 2017).
The ladder after Round 16 shows a clear numerical gap between the top six and the rest (four win separation).
Future historians may look at the Gippsland League 2025 season and claim it was lopsided, however, a deeper look round-by-round shows this is certainly not the case.
All teams have enjoyed moments of glory against more fancied opponents, most notably Drouin (10th) rolling Wonthaggi and Maffra (eighth) beating reigning premier, Traralgon.
At the top end of town, things are even more cutthroat. This finals series is shaping as one of the most even in recent memory. Traralgon or Moe could make the Grand Final, but could also just as easily go out in straight sets, while Morwell (having beaten both during the regular season) could be the team that sends either of them packing.
Morwell 9.9 (63) def Moe 8.13 (61)
NO guts, no glory.
Morwell completed just about the most determined underdog performance imaginable at Ted Summerton Reserve, holding on to defeat Moe by two points.
Down one rotation for much of the second half, and down to one on the bench by the end of the game, the visiting Tigers won a low-scoring epic, 9.9 (63) to 8.13 (61).
The result had instant ramifications, with Morwell taking a quantum leap toward finals qualification, while some question marks remain for the Lions following an indifferent fortnight.
As the Tigers are playing themselves into form (four wins from their last five games), Moe seems to be flirting with theirs.
The Lions gave up eight goals in the first quarter against Sale the previous round, and were kept goalless in the first term at the weekend.
The Lions’ poor disposal by foot was by far the most telling feature, so much so injured playing-coach Leigh Poholke (sidelined with a hamstring) appeared completely dumbfounded as he watched repeat inside 50s miss targets.
Most of these misdirected passes were aimed in the direction of league leading goal kicker Ben Crocker, who one couldn’t help but feel sorry for.
While he finished with four goals, he was teamed by just as many defenders for most of the day, as Morwell quickly realised Moe’s game plan was virtually ‘kick to Croc’.
Skill errors on the home team’s part however were not the only reason Morwell won.
The Tigers applied enough pressure to force turnovers, and competed aerially to deny Crocker the chance to run and jump.
They did this and plenty more across four quarters on a chilly Moe day that saw the wind blow (unusually) from the east.
Blokes wearing yellow and black jumpers stood up when needed, and pulled off some equally freakish deeds of their own.
Josh Galea (as he has a habit of doing) kicked an incredible goal in the third term, using every bit of his European heritage to soccer the ball through in mid-air while hugged up against the goal post.
That goal gave Morwell a dream start to the second half, and extended their lead to a handy 16 points.
Another shortly after to club favourite Tyler Hillier pushed the lead even further, before Moe responded with consecutive goals just as the clock ticked into the 10 minute mark.
Lions youngster Max Moroney kicked his first goal in senior colours, in somewhat unusual circumstances after being walked to the goal line. He was given the obligatory mob by teammates, but more importantly, saw the home side go seven points up.
Moe was starting to play better by now, hitting short targets by foot and generating overlap by hand.
Morwell however kept grinding, and when playing-coach Boyd Bailey booted a goal from point blank range into the net separating the fence from a group of Moe supporters at the scoreboard end, the visitors were once again back on top.
(That goal was still probably only the second-most satisfying Bailey has kicked at that end, his running effort in the 2013 Grand Final surely the number one).
Having scored right on the eve of three quarter time, the visitors went into their final huddle full of energy.
Observing the two huddles was an interesting exercise. While Morwell players were undeniably ‘buzzing’, Moe players looked collected and equally confident.
Poholke, speaking in a Harmit Singh-like manner many Morwell supporters would be familiar with, decreasing the volume so only the players could hear, called for better positioning from his backs.
Bailey meanwhile, perhaps sensing his players were high on adrenalin, kept it short and sweet, rattling home some key points such as outnumbering at the contest and ‘taking the grass’ if anyone found themselves with the ball out in the open.
Morwell kicked the first goal of the last little more than a minute in, after Will Clarke was awarded a free kick for a hold.
The big man sent through his third goal of the afternoon, and most important since joining the Tigers from Daylston midseason. (Incidentally, last Saturday was Clarke’s fourth game for the season, meaning he is now qualified for finals).
Down by 14 points, Moe’s big dogs again cut the margin back. For once, Crocker didn’t kick the goal, but had a hand in the assist, using his football IQ to kick backwards some 30 metres from the pocket to find Trent Baldi in a better position. The Lions midfielder then smartly used the stand rule to get around the man on the mark and kick truly.
The home side was however let off the hook a couple of times after Morwell missed at least
two very gettable shots from within close range.
Some heart-in-mouth moments played out in a pulsating final term, as Moe kept coming and Morwell reached a stage where they just had to hold on.
Through sheer weight of numbers, the Lions somehow surged a goal from a ball up after the ball fell to Moroney, who poked through his second.
What a game to kick your first two senior goals.
With the margin suddenly just three points, there was an undeniable feeling the next goal would just about determine the winner given the context of the match.
The Lions would have hit the front if the post didn’t get in the way at the 20 minute mark, and the resultant kick-in very nearly saw Morwell get the golden goal they themselves were after.
The Tigers went coast-to-coast, and ended with a mark inside 50. The shot however only registered a minor score, handing the ball back to the home side.
Moe peppered the inside 50s during red time, but could not break the Morwell shackle as the Tigers packed most stoppages to kill the game.
Some crucial one-on-one wins proved vital for the visitors, not least Cody Macdonald winning a groundball battle against Moe’s Tom Matthews, and Brandon Mcaullife nabbing Lions veteran Jacob Wood, which would have resulted in a certain look inside 50.
Matthews, the Gippsland Power captain, played managed minutes at the weekend, and was rested in the first half.
For all of Clarke’s work up forward, he took the game saving mark dropping back in the hole 30 metres out from Moe’s goal.
Equal feelings of relief and elation were evident on the faces of Morwell players as the final siren sounded.
Finals aside, there is no better feeling than walking into the visitors rooms after an underdog victory.
The walk to the respective rooms was halted somewhat after the game after a bit of push and shove broke out.
Umpires came in to quell tensions, which (on the vision at least) lasted not even a minute.
While there was some sarcastic pats on the head exchanged, there didn’t appear to be anything overly untoward.
Given most Morwell and Moe players know each other through work, social connections, and some are even family, there was always likely to be displays of one-upmanship.
For want of a better explanation, competitive blokes in their 20s, plus testosterone, plus a local rivalry meant some argy-bargy was inevitable.
In better scenes, Moe co-captain Scott van Dyk was embraced by former teammate Darnell Grech (who has had stints with both clubs) coming out from the Morwell bench postgame to congratulate him on his 150th game.
Van Dyk was best for the Lions, and was helped by fellow co-captain Brock Smith, Crocker, Max Woodall, Baldi and Nathan Scagliarini.
Scagliarini will have some connection to Moe’s next opponent, Warragul, having skippered former Gulls ruckman Chris Carey to a premiership at Mt Eliza last season.
The Lions certainly won’t be taking Warragul lightly given the Gulls can still finish with the double chance.
Moe doesn’t have a great record against Warragul at Western Park either, losing twice in its last three visits to the venue.
It is unlikely the senior coach will be rocking up to Western Park wearing thongs either.
The Lions will hope to have gun midfielder Myles Poholke back, after he was bedridden with illness at the weekend.
Illness also left Matt Heywood unavailable for the match against Sale the previous week.
Moe officials will be hoping any bug that might be going around hasn’t spread too far in the camp.
To the victors went the spoils however, and Morwell’s best players at the weekend were Stephen Mills, Mcaullife, Harri McColl, Macdonald, Zac Anderson and Anthony Rosato.
Bailey credited his side’s performance, especially given the outs in key defender Max Linton, midfielders Cohen Campbell and Burkeley Macfarlane, not to mention leading goal kicker, Brandon McDonald, who has unfortunately had to retire due to repeat concussions.
“They are the positions you want to be in, as heart-racing as they are, to hold onto one, we’ve been on the other side of them as well, to hold onto one late hopefully gives the boys plenty of confidence,” the coach said.
“You just have to roll with the punches. I told the boys to be adaptable throughout the game, not knowing where a few of the Moe boys might line up, we were able to do that.”
“We came in with a plan, executed it for pretty much the four quarters, Moe got a little bit of momentum throughout the day during the second and third, but three quarter time we just needed to gut it out and show a bit of determination and grit, the boys did it.
“(It was a) physical game, felt it was somewhat finals intensity. Moe had a few out today so they’ll get a couple back but for us, we just had to win whoever we played against today.”
The return of Nathan Noblett up forward has been welcomed by Morwell, after he missed the first half of the season through injury.
“He’s a bit of a link man for us between the arcs, he hits up, he’s quick, and he’s what we’ve maybe been missing for most of the season,” Bailey said, while also highlighting the work those at the other end did on Crocker.
“He’s (Crocker) a quality player so you’ve got to go to whatever lengths you need to try to stop him kicking goals. He has been a focal point for Moe, I thought our backs were great today.”
Upon the elation of victory, Bailey said there was still plenty of work to do.
“It was more-so just how important that win was for our season rather than who it was against,” he said.
“We felt if we were to get this one today, it was a massive step to playing finals. We’ve got destiny back in our hands with Wonny losing, so ball’s in our court, we’ve just got to get the job done next two weeks.”
Morwell’s form has been solid in recent weeks, and minus a last quarter fadeout against Leongatha in Round 14, the Tigers have arguably put together 11 out of 12 really good quarters.
“The boys have responded really well since that Warragul loss (Round 11) and hopefully we can just keep building something special amongst the group,” Bailey said.
“One of our strengths is we’ve just got an even spread across the ground. We’re pretty low on points (player points allocation), the boys get on really well on and off the field, so maybe that gives you an extra five per cent some games.”
This may bode well for Morwell come September, as local footy buffs will know as well as anyone history is littered with big recruits on big money who often go missing in finals.
The Tigers seemingly won’t have this problem, although it should also be noted Moe only had five players on multiple points at the weekend – two of whom were juniors.
While it is understood there has been some internal frustration at times over Morwell’s frugal management not opening the chequebook to any major imports, the Tigers now look set to see gains after investing in the local market.
Traralgon 15.9 (99) def Wonthaggi 6.11 (47)
THE premiership quarter came early for Traralgon.
The Maroons added five goals to none in the second term against Wonthaggi, to win a vitally important Gippsland League clash 15.9 (99) to 6.11 (47).
Travelling to a windy Wonthaggi, the visitor’s strong second quarter was virtually the deciding factor in the Round 16 match.
Traralgon made full use of the scoring end kicking with the advantage heading towards the entrance, although by the same token, did equally as well cutting their way through the headwind coming in from Inverloch.
After an arm wrestle to start, the Maroons eventually got up and running around the seven minute mark.
Some good body work from veteran Dan McKenna on Wonthaggi defender Shannon Bray opened Traralgon’s account, and set something of a tone for the home side.
Bray is regarded as the Power’s best defender of this generation, but even he made some uncharacteristic mistakes. He was not on his own, with Isaac Chugg also done for running too far, while another player inexplicably stepped inside the centre square before the ball was thrown up.
Surely you learn not to do that in under 10s.
The second quarter was indeed a hard watch from the Power’s perspective, and the quicksand that was spread near the interchange gates might as well have been underfoot for anyone wearing a Wonthaggi jumper.
Instances of players spoiling each other leading to a Traralgon goal and downfield free kicks couldn’t help but leave onlookers wondering if the Power was in fact mentally tuned in for the game.
Frustrations eventually boiled over, with Wonthaggi playing-coach, Jarryd Blair reportedly heading to the bench and lashing out at the umpires.
Such a move could be viewed as telling given South Gippsland umpires (for want of a better economy of words) have gained a reputation for ‘looking after’ clubs in their own backyard.
As everyone is taught however, if you play well enough, you don’t have to worry about the umpires, and Wonthaggi was simply down in all departments.
Maroons livewire Liam Willaton used all of his gymnastic skills to curl through a miracle goal from deep in the pocket, dribbling it past not only the defender in the goal square, but also while being pushed up against the boundary.
A hand-gesture of some Gen Z description followed a Tristen Waack goal, as Traralgon got out to a 10 point.
The Maroons played the conditions well, at times seeing their forwards push all the way up to halfback to accommodate the wind.
That the visitors went into quarter time with a 15-point lead kicking against the breeze meant there was always a good chance the floodgates would open.
Open they did, although Wonthaggi was their own worst enemy.
The Power decided to play Chugg as an extra in defence, the only problem was this freed up the one person in the league you don’t want playing that same role – Traralgon captain, Tye Hourigan.
Hourigan ended up having a field day, finishing with upwards of a dozen marks.
By the 10 minute mark of the second quarter, Traralgon had already registered 10 scoring shots from 13 inside 50s.
The Maroons made the Power pay dearly for their mistakes, and as commentator Nick Leechino said calling the game for TRFM, Wonthaggi was “getting torched on rebound”.
The sting seemed to be taken out of the contest before halftime, so much so Connor Little was able to harmlessly handball to Matt Northe in the goal square while a Wonthaggi player stood with his back to the play.
Northe, returning this year from injury, notched his 100th senior game the previous round, along with Connor Ambler.
Wonthaggi made a better fist of the contest in the second half and matched Traralgon in general play, but really by then the game was all but over.
The Power’s intensity was perhaps summed up when Blake Cornelius took a mark in the pocket, and there was no movement inside 50 for a squaring option.
Cornelius also decided to try and take a hanger on Hourigan.
Not a bad ploy in some respects – it is about the only way you are ever going to out mark him.
Both teams kicked three goals in the third, before a fairly lacklustre final term saw no score for the first nine minutes.
Some good crumbing from Jackson McMahon led to his third goal for the game. He was also equally unselfish, squaring the ball to Dylan Loprese at the top of the square in the third.
With the game under wraps, Traralgon only needed to get through.
Unfortunately the Maroons weren’t able to do that entirely, losing Kade Ruyters in the first quarter.
The luckless small forward tried to get back on, but had to declare himself unfit. In a show of just how cruel sport can be, he missed last season’s premiership through injury, and might be facing a similar fate 12 months on.
In better news, Traralgon tall Tom Hamilton did the running for his side at the weekend.
The similarly luckless player may still play an active role during finals, while defender Joel Scholtes will be hoping his troublesome shoulder holds out this time around.
The club favourite was in the best at the weekend, setting up a number of dashing plays.
Hourigan was a standout, while Harvey Neocleous, Waack, Hugh Dunbar and Willaton found plenty of touches.
Josh Bates, Jye Gilmour (who was almost sent to an early grave by Jacob Cunico), Jai Williams, Josh Schulz, Bray and Anthony Anastasio were best for Wonthaggi.
That the Power are playing VFL player Anastasio would indicate they haven’t given up hope of playing in finals, or that the VFL listed player ruling is a close cased.
Wonthaggi would not be playing Anastasio this late in the season if they weren’t confident he would be able to play finals, despite not being a ‘local’ VFL player.
Anastasio needs to play the last two rounds to meet the four game qualification, although there has been radio silence from the Gippsland League regarding just what type of VFL players will be eligible for finals.
It is understood ‘local’ VFL players such as Riley Baldi (Moe) and Dyson Heppell (Leongatha) can come in for Gippsland League finals, and there are still developments in place to try and get a final ruling on all VFL listed players aligned with Gippsland League clubs.
Bairnsdale 12.11 (83) def Sale 11.8 (74)
BAIRNSDALE won a competitive match against Sale.
The Redlegs recorded their fifth win for the season, holding off the Magpies by nine points, 12.11 (83) to 11.8 (74).
The home side responded after a slow first half, to kick four goals to one in the third term on the wide open expanses of Bairnsdale City Oval.
Scores were virtually tied at the last change, before a high scoring final term saw 11 goals kicked between the two sides.
Bairnsdale outgunned Sale inside 50, kicking 6.2 (38) to 5.1 (31).
Brayden McCarrey booted five for the winners, who had eight individual goal kickers.
Others to play well were Cooper Harvey, Lachlan Cloak, Randall Stewart, Tyran Rees and Ethan East.
Jack McLaren and Tom Wrigglesworth were again prominent for the Magpies, along with Jarrod Freeman, Jack Leslie, the promoted Ben Jones (who kicked three goals) and likely best-and-fairest winner, Cooper Whitehill.
Whitehill has enjoyed a breakout season, named in the best 12 out of 16 games.
It is perhaps unfortunate his coming-of-age has coincided with a poor season from Sale, although the Magpies have remained quietly confident it won’t be long until they are back among the top sides in the competition.
The contest at the weekend offered a glimpse into two teams who could feel hard done by this season.
Both the Magpies and Redlegs have battled mass unavailability at times.
McCarrey for instance has only played nine games, and missed the crucial midseason rounds when Bairnsdale needed to keep winning to stay in the hunt for finals.
No doubt there will be many at the Redlegs pondering what might have been had they had their most prominent forward.
Warragul 7.7 (59) def Maffra 5.8 (38)
WARRAGUL did what was required on the road.
The Gulls won a no-thrills match in Maffra, punctuated by errant finishing in front of the big sticks, 7.17 (59) to 5.8 (38).
While the visitors led at every change, spectators hardly got their monies worth, as just three goals were kicked in the first half combined.
It is unlikely Warragul will care in the slightest however, given the Gulls just need to keep winning to potentially pinch a top three finish and the double chance.
Lucas Carter, Liam Serong, Riley Senini, Luke Garner, Patrick Mulqueen and Alby Phillips collected the plaudits for the winners.
Warragul was without a few of its best 22, including VFL player Will Hayes, mercurial forward Brayden Fowler, and the Stewart boys, Jordan and Zac.
Given the Gulls have a huge clash with Moe coming up, one can expect at least some of those names to come back in.
Best for the Eagles was Alex Carr, Jett Killoran, Andrew McKenzie, Will Burgiel, Daniel Bedggood and Noah Christy.
Leongatha 20.8 (128) def Drouin 4.4 (28)
JUST one more week to go.
Drouin edged closer and closer to its home ground, getting off Morwell Recreation Reserve following a 100-point loss to Leongatha.
The match between top and bottom went as expected, with the Parrots winning 20.8 (128) to 4.4 (28).
Much of the game was about Trafalgar local and Thorpdale Football-Netball Club best-and-fairest winner, Ben Willis, who played his 200th senior game for Leongatha.
The loveable ruckman was given a milestone to remember, booting five goals, while his teammates and supporters wore special commemorative t-shirts.
Of his 200 games, at least 16 would be finals given the Parrots have played in the last eight deciders.
Willis has often been among the best for Leongatha in finals, and does tend to always poll well in league vote counts as well.
A man of the people, he has also coached Leongatha junior teams, and also helped raise awareness for mental health by wearing a helmet in games.
With his career in the major league possibly nearing its end, there can be little doubt his old club on the hill have been ‘into him’ about a homecoming.
Others to play well in his milestone were Aaron Heppell (three goals), Tim Sauvarin, Zavier Lamers, Ty Hall and Patrick Ireland (five goals).
Kye Quirk, Zayne Atkins, Riley Wierzbicki, Peyton Saddington, Caleb Kleevan and Zack McMillan battled hard for the Hawks.
Drouin has one more road trip to go, travelling to Maffra this weekend, before ending its season on the newly laid Drouin Recreation Reserve turf for the Western Derby.
The Hawks have been training on their new oval, and the Round 18 clash is set to be every bit a final for the wooden spooners.
