Power shock Maroons

by Liam Durkin

Latrobe Valley-based teams in the Gippsland League went 2-1 at the weekend.

While Morwell and Moe claimed victories, it was Traralgon's huge loss to Wonthaggi that caused the biggest talking point.

The Maroons had a day where just nothing went right, and were blown off the park by Wonthaggi, losing 16.10 (106) to 3.9 (27).

The 79-point annihilation sent shockwaves through the Gippsland League, in a result that well and truly ‘threw’ many in league circles.

For a match between third and fourth, the Power made it look anything but.

While both teams had three scoring shots in the opening term at Terry Hunter Oval, it is unlikely anyone could have foreseen what was to unfold.

Wonthaggi added four goals in the second quarter, and a further four in the third – Traralgon scored three goals in those two quarters combined.

The Power were just showing off in the last – they kicked 5.4 (34) to 0.2 (2).

After flying under the radar behind top-three sides Leongatha, Moe and Traralgon for most of the early part of the season, there was some doubt as to whether or not Wonthaggi would be able to displace any of those.

There can be little doubt now. Wonthaggi are well and truly in business baby.

The visitors were well-led by Ryan Sparkes, Tom Murray, Jordan Staley, Kyle Reid and Jack Blair.

It was the performance of Cooper McInnes however that announced his arrival in the big league.

McInnes kicked seven goals in a best-on-ground display – two of those goals being long range bombs beyond 50.

For Traralgon, it became a case of where do you start?

The Maroon had been averaging 14 goals a game – they were held to three at the weekend.

They had conceded 19 goals in the last three weeks – they nearly let that many through in one game at the weekend.

It wasn't as if Traralgon had players missing either – 18 that played on Saturday featured in the win against Moe just three weeks ago.

Vice-captain Tye Hourigan, Luis D’Angelo, Jackson McMahon, Mark Collison, Tom Hamilton and Max Jacobsen all battled hard.

So, were Wonthaggi that good? Or was Traralgon simply that bad?

According to field umpire Mark Smith, it was the former.

"From the first bounce Wonthaggi's pressure was on point, every contest was made difficult by every player on the ground and some of the best ball handling I have seen all year," he said.

The Power's performance is sure to put Leongatha and Moe on notice, and questions look set to keep coming from the South Gippsland pocket.

Just what has Jarryd Blair got up his sleeve for later in the year?

Morwell had no alternative other than to beat Bairnsdale at the weekend.

The Tigers did just that, winning 11.6 (72) to 8.10 (58).

The visiting Redlegs were only two points down at three quarter time, but Morwell finished strongly, kicking three goals to one in the final term.

Morwell dominated possession for the first 10 minutes of the last term without putting their opponents away, before finding some better connectivity to eventually break the game open.

Brandon McDonald maintained his lead at the top of the league goal-kicking, adding two majors to go with a season tally of 28

Tristen Waack was voted best afield for the winners, kicking three goals, including two in the crucial final term to seal the deal.

Moe made the trip west, and defeated Drouin 20.9 (129) to 10.8 (68) in a mud-soaked affair.

Both teams had to make do with a surface that would have been rated a Heavy 9 if it was a racecourse.

Barely a blade of green was visible by the time the senior game started – the Drouin oval resembling more of a spud paddock.

In fairness, Drouin president Chris Soumilas apologised to those in attendance during his halftime address, saying the club had been fighting an uphill battle with various powers at be to try and rectify the situation.

The match was played amid an odd juxtaposition, as perfect conditions weather-wise meant the ball didn't become overly waterlogged, and led to 30 goals being kicked collectively for the game.

Both teams took the ground out of the equation, and to their credit, looked to play an attractive brand, rather than revert to an old-fashioned slog.

The Hawks took a seven point lead in a high-scoring opening that saw nine goals kicked.

Not much separated the sides in the second term, but a three-goal blitz from Moe right on the eve of halftime saw them take a 22-point lead into the sheds.

The Lions added those three goals in as many minutes, turning a four point lead into a four goal lead seemingly in the blink of an eye.

Moe took that momentum into the second half, while conversely, the sudden onslaught seemed to take the string out of Drouin's attack.