By Ken Moore
DROUIN has jumped into fifth spot on the ladder at the expense of Warragul after a 21-point victory over Morwell on Saturday.
With the game in the balance at half-time, the Hawks clawed their way in front with a six-goal-to-one third quarter when kicking with the wind to set up a 29-point lead at the last change.
Drouin could only score the one goal in the last term, but it still did enough to hold the Tigers at bay.
Damian Carmody was a dominant figure at centre half-back and had strong ally in coach Ben Soumilas, who never took a backward step and repelled many attacks.
Malcolm Dowe was prominent across the forward line and set many crucial forward moves and both Chris Dunne (four goals) and Brad Carmody (three) played important third-quarter roles kicking two goals apiece to help the Hawks set up victory.
Andy Soumilas picked up his usual bag of hard-ball gets and Pat McGrath was never too far away from the midfield contests.
For Morwell, Jack Brown did a good job down back and received good support from half-back Daniel Metcalf and back-pocket Steven Fox.
Adam Bailey and Mannon Johnston generated many forward thrusts and Brett Harvey, in only his third game, played a disciplined role tagging Andy Soumilas and made the Hawk ball magnet earn all of his possessions.
Quite incredibly, it is such an even season that the Tigers’ 21-point loss was its largest defeat this season.
Morwell will have at least six regulars, including coach Jason McFarlane and captain Michael Duncan, available to come back into the team this week, but now two games in arrears it is more likely to shape the top five rather than make it.
Holt’s 10 fires Parrots
STAR Leongatha forward Dwayne Holt starred with 10 goals to pilot his side to an 87-point victory over a disappointing Garfield.
The Stars were competitive in the first quarter before the home side stepped up a gear in the second quarter and, with eight unanswered goals, the game was firmly in their grasp by half-time when they led by 48 points.
There was no joy for the Stars after half-time being outscored in the final two quarters.
Parrot runners Mark Coghlan, Adam Govers, Tommy Dowd and Brad Rayson inflicted most of the damage through the midfield and half-forward and Justin Sutherland had the better of Brett Reid in the ruck.
Half-back Nick Marsh had the knack off finding the ball all game, Ben Marsh burrowed into the packs, Ned Marsh took a few good marks in the forward line.
Forward Mal McKenna (three goals) always looked dangerous when the ball was in his vicinity and had a run as a loose man in defence in the second quarter.
Fifteen-year-old debutant Josh Tynan lined up on the wing and took a number of good marks and managed to escape his opponents and propel the ball forward on a number of occasions and looks like a name we will hear plenty more in the ensuing years.
His fourths’ team-mate Dylan Collis, also on debut, steered through a goal in the first quarter and is another likely prospect.
Gulls drop out
WARRAGUL dropped out of the top five after a 59-point loss to the ladder leaders Traralgon.
The Maroons got off to a flying start with seven goals to one and never looked back.
Forward Danny Campbell worked hard and played four consistent quarters, kicked four goals and had a hand in many others.
Pacy forward Michael Geary snared five goals and after missing football last season is now returning to his dynamic best and Tim Johnston (three goals) pulled in some fine grabs and was a catalyst behind the Maroons early ascendancy.
Regular defender Sam McCulloch returned after more than a month on the sidelines and showed his versatility by snagging four goals and ruckman Rohan Hore made his presence felt.
The Maroons’ performance was all the more meritorious because it lost Tom McQualter and Steve Hazelman to leg injuries in the first quarter and had at least another four of its 21 best players missing.
It is patently obvious now that Traralgon is the side to beat in the race for the 2009 premiership.
Warragul’s up and down form is hard to fathom.
This week star Gull midfielders Ryan Davey and Des Barr returned and both won plenty of the ball and were among the best players, but too many of their team-mates lowered their colours.
Key forward Tom Johnson streered through three goals and presented well, Clint Rowe bore into the packs and Leigh Sheehan did well in close.
Warragul has the bye in round 16 and will probably need to roll Morwell in round 18 to snaffle fifth position.
Stubbe snags Eagle 11
ON Sunday, Maffra consolidated second position on the ladder with a comprehensive 95-point victory over Sale.
The Eagles led by 18 points at the main break and rammed on 16 second-half goals in an awesome display to suggest another premiership is well within its reach.
Talented utility Daniel Stubbe exhibited his class with a club record 11 goals against their arch rivals and after half-time Ben and Craig Robbins, Hayden Burgiel and Ben Durrant all ran amok and played a big part in a top team effort.
Promising Sale ruckman Toby Leeds, returned after playing in the VCFL under-19 victory over the VAFA and was superb and, as usual, midfield Kane Fraser and Chris Laverty, along with never-say-die defender Luke Bates, all had a crack.
Selections in capitals for round 15, 1 August.
MAFFRA v Morwell.
DROUIN v Leongatha.
TRARALGON v Sale.
MOE v Warragul.
Garfield – bye.
