By Ken Moore
BOTTOM dweller Warragul took it right up to the more fancied Drouin on Sunday – and an upset loomed when the Gulls trailed by a solitary point at three-quarter-time.
In the last quarter the Hawks dug deep and, with four unanswered goals, two from coach Ben Soumilas and others to Daniel Barrand and Chris Dunne, the visitors were able to fend off a spirited effort from the young Gulls.
Hawks midfielders Andy Soumilas, Sam Proctor, Pat McGrath and Daniel Barrand figured prominently, while Aaron Coyle and Damian Carmody offered plenty of resistance behind the centre.
Lightly framed young Maffra recruit Daniel Seri kicked three goals and other newcomers to the club this season, Wayne Morris from Bunyip and Steven Ballingall from Ellinbank, also made handy contributions.
Warragul ruckman Mark Bradley, Tom Fusinato and Cal Shiels were behind many of the Gulls’ forward thrusts and Josh Helliwell always looked dangerous and showed his immense talent, steering through four goals.
Poowong recruit Ben Drew put his body into many contests and with fellow defender Brendan Sheehan made their opponents work hard for every disposal.
Warragul racked up 75 tackles, 20 to 30 more than its usual quota, and it showed why the Hawks struggled to break clear all match.
Warragul remains without a win but a victory must surely be around the corner, if it can play with similar intensity in the coming weeks.
THE fairytale start for league newcomers Bairnsdale came to an abrupt halt when it was thrashed by ladder leaders Sale on Sunday.
The Redlegs managed only three goals and went down by 108 points.
It was their first loss for the season. An inaccurate Sale led by only six points at quarter-time but took a stranglehold on the game with eight unanswered second-quarter goals.
Ruckman Toby Leeds gave his smalls first use of the ball and midfielders Kane Martin, Corey Scholtes and Kane Fraser found an appetite for the ball.
Jordan Dessent shut down key Bairnsdale forward James Gibbs and former ruckman John Gooch appears to have found his niche in the last line of defence after putting in another top display.
Gun recruit Matt Ferguson menaced the Redlegs’ defence, bagging four goals, but sullied his game by kicking nine behinds.
Sale has fashioned a top side over summer and the undefeated Magpies are now flag favourites.
Bairnsdale coach Brent Cowell tried hard to lift his charges, Jarrod Matthews was the best of the Redlegs’ forwards and former Maffra trio of Paul Bills, Reagan Kyle and Tom Brien eked out enough possessions to keep their spot in the next round.
WONTHAGGI chiselled out a 28 point win over Moe on Saturday. The Power secured victory when it kicked six second-quarter goals to turn a six-point quarter-time deficit into a 29-point lead at the main break.
One of the big talking points to emerge from the game was an injury to star Moe recruit Ryan Donaldson, who left the field with a knee injury at the 15-minute mark of the first quarter.
Wonthaggi coach Leigh McDonald scoured the packs well, Andrew Seccull (three goals) and mobile tall Lucas White kept pushing the ball forward and when required defenders Siga Asa Leausa, Dean Jenkins and Chris Wylie stood up.
Moe came out firing and kicked the first four goals, but it appeared Donaldson’s departure sapped the Lions’ enthusiasm for a contest.
Adam Kennedy added spine to the Lions’ defence, Troy Makepeace, Ben Robertson and Gary Blandford pumped the ball into the attacking arc regularly and Tom Johnson snagged four goals.
TRARALGON silenced its critics and kickstarted its season when it upset Maffra by 24 points. The Maroons started quickly and set up a 24-point lead at quarter-time, which they maintained comfortably on a windy day.
Midfield Steve Hazelman latched on to plenty of the ball, Tim Johnson, Michael Burge and Jamie Aitken kept things tight at the back and Dan McKenna (four goals) and Nick Quenault (three) hurt the Eagles on the scoreboard.
Maffra went into the game missing 11 of last season’s winning grand final team. League 2010 medallist Gary Jones, Daniel O’Brien and Kelvin Porter were busy around the packs, Daniel Stubbe (three goals) did well and Jed Costigan offered good drive from his wing.
LEONGATHA was left dumbfounded when Morwell conjured two goals in the last minute, including one with the last kick of the match, off the ground by Ryan Tatterson, to steal a four-point victory and leave the Parrots shattered.
Morwell owed its victory to resolute defence from Jack Brown and Jason Stevens. Ruckman Michael “Chunky” Duncan, midfielder Michael “Funky” Duncan and former coach Jason McFarlane adapted well to the heavily saturated ground.
Leongatha was well served by Tom Marriott, who relished the slippery conditions, and many of his second efforts were superb.
Casey Scorpions recruit Ben Waite impressed in a ruck-roving role and Chris Verboon floated all over the forward line with intent. Half back Rhett McLennan and wingman Dylan Westaway set up forward thrusts.
Leongatha will rue the fact it gave away nine 50-metre penalties, which in the end proved costly.
round 6 TIPS:
MOE v Warragul
TRARALGON v Wonthaggi
MAFFRA v Bairnsdale (Sunday)
DROUIN v Morwell
LEONGATHA v Sale (Night)
