FOOTBALL

GIPPSLAND LEAGUE

By LIAM DURKIN

 

NO great surprises came to hand in Round 5 of the Gippsland League.

Another unfortunate round of one-sided games played out, with three matches decided by at least 70 points, one by more than 100 and another by 92.

The round remains partially incomplete, owing to a floating three-week split round.

Drouin host Moe this Saturday in what is technically a Round 5 game, while Morwell, Sale, Bairnsdale and Leongatha have the bye.

Fair to say the bye has come at a very good time for Morwell.

 

Traralgon 23.18 (156) def Sale 5.4 (34)

ANOTHER week, another Sale pumping.

The Magpies lost its third game by more than 100 points at the weekend.

Traralgon was the latest team afforded the opportunity to boost its percentage, demolishing the home side 23.18 (156) to 5.4 (34).

While the margin fell some distance short of the record for the Maroons against Sale (161 points), the result was virtually in the bag by quarter time.

The visitors led by six goals, and extended on its dominance from there.

The third quarter was especially productive, with Traralgon kicking 9.3 (57) to take its lead into triple figures.

The Maroons had a dozen goal kickers, including milestone man Michael Jacobsen, who kicked a couple in his 100th senior game.

Traditionally, Traralgon players are granted their name on the locker upon reaching 100 senior games. With the Maroons’ new change rooms not having the old school steel lockers however, it remains to be seen if this will eventuate.

Hayden Willaton also hit the scoreboard in his senior debut, playing alongside brother and Maroons vice captain Liam.

Harvey Neocleous was best, followed by Joel Scholtes, Jacobsen, Connor Ambler, Matt Northe and Jye Neilson.

Northe’s brother Tim rated a mention on the Dylan Buckely podcast during the week as one of the best junior players Leongatha’s Dyson Heppell played alongside at Gippsland Power.

For Sale, it was another tough day at the office.

Archer Gerrand, Cooper Whitehill, Darcy Van der Voort, Hunter Wynd, Thomas Glenn and Mitch Thacker battled hard.

Seeing scores come through from Sale games this year evokes memories of a scene in Monty Python’s Life of Brian when one of the Colosseum fighters is sent out into the arena and says “it’s dangerous out there!”

 

Leongatha 23.8 (146) def Morwell 12.4 (76)

THAT’S about where they’re at.

Morwell lost to Leongatha by 70 points.

The Tigers were competitive for a quarter, before the more experienced Parrots broke away.

Leongatha kicked six goals to two in the second term, and held sway the rest of the way to the final siren.

Aaron Heppell had a day out for the winners, kicking five goals, as did Patrick Ireland.

Heppell was best, and received good support from Tom Marriott and Ben Harding – the reliable trio still getting it done.

Others to play well were Finn Donohue and Curtis Murfett.

Morwell’s day was highlighted by the debut of VFL player Kye Declase. He kicked three goals, including an insane checkside on the run that left the TRFM commentary box beside themselves.

The Tigers wore their pink jumpers for the club’s annual breast cancer fundraiser. Incredibly, the club raised more than $20,000.

The day however ended on a sad note, with Morwell coach Shaun Mooney announcing his departure. Mooney told players after the game of his decision.

Senior captain Aidan Quigley was best for his team, and is understood to be taking over the role, working closely with two-time premiership coach Harmit Singh, who has been spotted at Morwell games this season.

Hugh Dunbar also played well for the Tigers, as did Isaac Abas, Blake Couling, Tyler Hillier and Lachie Cloak.

 

Warragul 17.11 (113) def Maffra 12.10 (82)

IN other games, Warragul maintained its unbeaten start to the season.

The Gulls accounted for Maffra in a good game at Western Park, winning 17.11 (113) to 12.10 (82).

Both teams, coming from outside the top four last season, showed they will be teams to watch in the next few years.

Just seven points separated the sides at three quarter time, yet Warragul finished full of running, kicking five goals to one in the final term.

Jed Lamb had a huge say in the result, kicking seven goals for the Gulls. He was helped by Tom Hobbs, Tom Stern, Caleb McIntosh, Riley Senini (who will surely be in the running for rookie of the year), and Sam Whibley.

Seth Smith backed up his bag of 10 the previous week with six goals for Maffra.

Jett Killoran, Thomas Scott, Max Stobie, Sam Anderson and Thomas Phillips also attracted votes.

Much as Warragul has started the season on a positive note, pundits may see the Gulls’ true colours over the next few weeks.

Warragul has had to dig deep to defeat Bairnsdale and Maffra, which may come out in the wash in games against Traralgon and Leongatha to come.

 

Wonthaggi 19.16 (130) def Bairnsdale 5.8 (38)

WONTHAGGI are still good.

Any team that kicks 10 goals in a quarter has some serious quality – no matter how strong the wind is or what the opposition is like.

The Power did just that against Bairnsdale, putting the result beyond doubt after the first 30 minutes.

Astonishing scenes played out at Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve, after the home side kicked 10.3 (63) to 0.1 (1) in the opening stanza.

The margin only grew from there, with Jaxon Foon and Aiden Lindsay kicking four goals each.

Bryce Joyce was best in the victory, along with Jayden Burns, Nathan Muratore and Daniel Bourke.

Cooper Harvey, Cooper Vickery, Lachlan Byrne-Jones, Rex Hargreaves, Oscar Morrison and Max Neate tried manfully in the circumstances.

The tyranny of distance granted, the margin could mean the gap between the haves and the have nots is only widening.

Watching Bairnsdale defeat Morwell a few weeks ago only reinforces this view.

Wonthaggi could yet get even stronger, with word former Collingwood and Western Bulldogs player Caleb Poulter will play a few games.