Warragul’s Josh Helliwell, right, and his opposite, and same, number, Maffra’s Ben Coleman, battle for the ball. 69339Picture: Jarrod Potter
By Ken Moore
DROUIN secured a double chance berth on Saturday after a gritty 14-point away from home victory over Leongatha – one of its nemesis sides in recent years.
The game hung in the balance at three quarter time when the Hawks held a four point lead. But, kicking against a three goal wind towards the end, it had failed to score a solitary point during the second term, suggested the home side were in the box seat to win.
However, Drouin dug deep to score four last quarter goals and the Parrots’ finals hopes are now once again on tenterhooks.
Hawk ruckman Damian Carmody gathered hitouts and disposals all over the ground, though, his job was made a little easier than anticipated due to a knee injury suffered by his counterpart Chris Rump in the first quarter.
Daniel Barrand, Pat McGrath, Andy Soumilas and Sam Proctor played dominant midfield roles, particularly in the second half and Chris Dunne (four goals) and Adam Cook (three) stepped up and made their presence felt after half time.
David Olsen played well, mopping up as a loose man in defence when the Hawks defended against the wind and Aaron Coyle chopped off a number of threatening Parrot attacks.
Leongatha led by 19 points at half time and with nine more scoring shots, few spectators would have foreseen the Hawks’ comeback.
For Leongatha, Rhett McLennan held Cook for most part of three quarters, Tom Marriot, who sourced 13 second quarter disposals, and Beau Vernon gave plenty of cheek, Jack Hughes repelled the ball off the half back line regularly and John Kilsby (two goals) led and contested well and troubled the visitors defence on a number of occasions.
MOE’s finals aspirations plummeted after a 91 point thrashing at Sale.
The Lions started well, kicking the opening two goals but it only appeared to spark the Magpies into life. The Magpies went on to score eight unanswered goals and seize control of the game.
From then on, Sale cruised to victory and showed plenty of the stellar form that made it the early season flag favourites.
Midfielders Kane Martin, Corey Scholtes and Kane Fraser ran amok while Matt Ferguson (seven goals) and Peter MacFarlane (four) hauled in many strong grabs.
Debutant Adam Wallace, a 16-year-old wingman, showed good skill and poise to hint he has the makings of a very good player.
For Moe, ever reliable half backs Peter Ainsworth and Gary Blandford did their utmost to repel the wave after wave of attacks and in the last line of defence, Kain Airdrie and Daniel Halstead blocked many attacks but were helpless to stop the regular advances by the home side.
MAFFRA had to work hard to put down the cellar dwellers, Warragul.
A major upset brewed when the Gulls led at three quarter time before the far more experienced Eagles doubled their score in the last term when the home side’s intensity waned.
Ruckman Owen Booth gave the Eagles plenty of momentum, Andrew Gieschen, in his 200th game, was prominent across the forward line and Ben Batalha showed his ample footy smarts across the half back line.
Ben Coleman and Gary Jones set up regular forward moves and rugged defender Sam Bristow stymied a number of Gull attacks.
For Warragul, Brad Hamilton was in the thick of the midfield action while Josh Helliwell, Jarrod Drew, Joel Morgan and Dean Hendrikse offered plenty of drive from behind the centre.
Tom Muir, a regular Gippsland Power player this season, pumped the ball forward with conviction and Ben Egan, who has been in the reserves for most of the season, was very competitive in the ruck in the absence of Mark Bradley.
BAIRNSDALE kept their finals hopes alive with a 15 point victory over Wonthaggi.
The Power has now lost six of its last seven matches and are four points in arrears of Leongatha and Maffra, who occupy fourth and fifth position.
With an inferior percentage and barring a lot of luck it can now kiss goodbye to a finals appearance.
Bairnsdale’s Lindenow recruit Luke Dyer played a pivotal role, both in winning the ball and distributing it well; Rob Brick provided the midfield grunt and coach Brent Cowell showed his class across the half forward line.
Raymond Adams, who is still eligible for the under-18s played a tidy game at both ends of the field and another thirds player, Nathan Storer (five goals) used his speed and strong hands to good effect, while Mark Sellings (three) proved hard to tag across the forward line. Wonthaggi’s better players included Ryan Underwood, who found plenty of the ball in both attack and defence, Troy Harley, Kane McCarthy, Tom Gilliland, Lucas White and Jack Blair powered the midfield and Andrew Winter was the leading scorer for the visitors with three goals.
LADDER leaders Traralgon beat Morwell by 50 points on Sunday.
@BT Sub Sport Gaz:Round 18 TIPS:
WONTHAGGI v Warragul
MAFFRA v Morwell
Traralgon v SALE
Moe v LEONGATHA
DROUIN v Bairnsdale
