By Ken Moore
AFTER upsetting ladder leaders Sale last week, Drouin came back to earth with a thud with a 26-point home ground loss to Leongatha on Saturday.
The Hawks were being hailed as sure winners when they scored the first five goals, but after quarter-time they were not on their game.
Leongatha must be applauded for its ability to strike back – and the Parrots look a genuine finals prospect.
Stony Creek recruit Chris Verboon tormented the Hawk defence and set up many crucial attacks, Zac Griffiths (five goals) displayed strong hands, Chris Rump competed well in the ruck and Korumburra recruit Tom Mayo used his pace to good effect.
Rhett McLennan, Jack Hughes, Paul LePage and Ben Geitz fortified the Parrot defence, while Drouin produced too many turnovers and unimaginative attacks.
Ball magnet Andy Soumilas again gathered plenty of stats, Sam Proctor offered his usual grunt and midfield Wayne Morris and Daniel Barrand both strived hard.
On a disappointing afternoon for the home team, the Hawks were buoyed by the performance of Tasmanian recruit Cam de Gooyer, who showed enough at centre-half-forward in his first game with the club to suggest he will be a real asset.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Warragul v Maffra
WARRAGUL fought out its game against Maffra well but still fell 49 points short.
The Gulls trailed by only five points at quarter-time but bowed to the pressure of the reigning premiers in the second quarter, when the home side lifted and kicked four goals to none, to set up victory.
Eagle midfielder Dan O’Brien played an instrumental role, Sam Walker and Josh Stubbe often rebounded the ball from behind the centre and youngster Jack Johnstone showed his wares across the half-forward line.
Daniel Bedggood propped up the defence in the first half and his twin brother, Sam, presented well up forward.
For the Gulls, mature half-back Brad Nott showed his ample footy smarts, Gippsland Power players Tom Muir and Tom Fusinato did plenty of leg work midfield and were well supported by Josh Lea and Ben Drew.
Agile tall Matt Gray made his presence felt all over the ground and there was a lot to like about the efforts of Jason Hibbs in defence. The Gulls’ fitness level and pace cannot be questioned but its decision making and ability to dispose of the ball effectively is not quite up to standard.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Moe v Sale
MOE injected much-needed life into its season after a morale-boosting 25-point victory over the top-of-the-table Sale.
Ruckman Chris Hancock’s tap work and around–the-ground work ethic was superb and rover Jacob Wood, Troy Makepeace and Ben Collins all played a big midfield role.
Despite conceding six goals to Magpie star Matt Ferguson, veteran recruit Kain Aidrie still made plenty of crucial spoils and was more than effective in the last line of defence.
Former Warragul star Tommy Johnson showed Lions fans he was a top pick-up with a good performance across the forward line and Beaconsfield recruit Ryan Donaldson steered through five majors.
For Sale, forwards Kane Fraser, John McIntyre and Brenton Martin presented well, Josh Martyn made a big impression after he gathered more than a dozen disposals in the third term and robust centreman Shane Fyfe was solid throughout.
After six successive victories, the Magpies, thanks to some injuries and a drop in form, are now coming back to the field.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Bairnsdale v Wonthaggi
BAIRNSDALE has plenty to weigh up after Wonthaggi beat it by 41 points. The league newcomers started the season well, but have not won since round three.
The Power led by 12 points at quarter-time and built on their lead with every break.
Dean Jenkins drove the ball out of the backline many times and showed great evasiveness and was lent tremendous support by Siga Asa Leausa and Tim Gilliland.
Tall utility Lucas White picked up disposals all over the ground, ruckman Earl Shaw was busy at both ends, Tom Wells was strong overhead in the forward line and Matt Kremmer drilled through four goals.
The victory confirmed that Wonthaggi is a far superior outfit to last year and a legitimate top five prospect.
Bairnsdale had too many players flash in and out of the game. Andrew Nelson, Reece Robinson, Paul Bills and Darcy Murray offered plenty of resistance, wingman Jason Waddell impressed and Mark Sellings and Luke Dyer put in well above average games.
round 9 TIPS:
Bairnsdale v Drouin
Leongatha v Moe
Morwell v Maffra
Sale v Traralgon
Warragul v Wonthaggi
