WEST GIPPSLAND FNC ROUND 10 REVIEW
Determined to make amends for last week’s surprise showing against Tooradin, a change to the game style was deemed to be required.
The local Bulldogs took immediate control in the slippery wet conditions. A Bulldog onslaught (that’s Phillip Island Bulldogs) overwhelmed the defence of the visitors.
With Jack Taylor kicking goals, Matt Jones dominating his position, and Orlando Kane-Gillard back to his best from a long break leading the charge, the locals lead by 42-0 at the first break.
Attack turned to defence for pretty much the remainder of the game.
The underworked (in the first) Phillip Island defence took over lead by the returning Damien Holmes and Daniel Pearce.
Jordy Patullo began dominating in his new role providing constant drive combined with defence. The returning Alex Redmond took over on ball, until crunch, ouch and out went his shoulder again.
That was the end for Redmond, a most unfortunate occurrence and we await the outcome of that one…
To top off the bench struggles, Brendan Kimber was struck by a friendly elbow to the eye, with blood rule sending him off,
and then safety first from the training bench ruling him out for the day.
From half time, the locals were down to one rotation. No worries for the younger brigade, with Harry O’Brien, Orlando and the two Patullos (J1 and J2) stepping up to take charge. Ably assisted by Eli Richards, the Island boys were able to take over in the increasingly slippery and heavy conditions.
The scoreboard didn’t show it, with two goals and five for the quarter, but the Island Bulldogs turned with a 50 plus point lead.
Our visitors ‘joined’ the huddle at the final break to provide some useful ‘feedback’ for the coaching staff. Didn’t really help, as by this stage the ground was approaching the consistency of quick-set cement, with both sides constantly turning the ball over, and scrimmages dominating the play. A 13-5 ‘win’ for the final quarter saw the Bulldogs run out victors by 60.
The game started with a downpour as the wet and windy conditions dropped the skill level for both sides. The ball was hotly contested at the coal face early, as both sides struggled to get shots at goal, until Oscar Toussaint broke through. Running through the middle, Toussaint blasted the ball deep with the wind as the crowd and his teammates watched in awe as it travelled all the way from the centre circle and through the goals. A miraculous finish to begin a game that was ultimately robbed of flashy plays.
After a costly 50-metre penalty from the visitors IK had their second major, before another free kick inside 50 led to Xavier Hughes’ first goal on return. The play wasn’t pretty throughout the first as Warragul threw their big bodies around, making sure the Sea Eagles felt it. This, along with the conditions, stopped the hosts ability to surge with pace as they usually do so well, with just 7 total scoring shots between them, IK led by 20-points at the first break.
Locked in a low-scoring tussle, the Dusties had their chance to capitalise with the wind in the second quarter, but it was IK who got the first shot and missed. The visitors counterattacked but as they have been all season, Shem Hawking and Lewis Rankin repelled valiantly for IK. Warragul cut the lead to 14, although play remained the same for most of the term, until a clever kick from Jenson Garnham led to a Toby Mahoney goal out the back. The Sea Eagles skipper bagging a crucial major against the wind and the flow, helping guide his team into the main break holding a 21-point margin.
The second half began with the hosts driving it forward with the wind, but again both sides struggled to score in the rough conditions through the first 10 minutes. IK began to find repeat forward entries and eventually Corey Casey kicked truly to stop the run of misses. The Dusties were strong the other way, continually pushing the ball froward from their back half but struggled to get past Josh Williams who was having a terrific day intercepting the ball. The Sea Eagle’s inaccuracy gave the visitors a fighting chance going into three quarter time, down 42 to 8.
Warragul came out playing quick, hard and direct footy in the fourth, catching the hosts off guard. However, IK were able to compose themselves and boot the first major of the term thanks to a brilliant kick from Garnham who again found his captain for his second. They finally found their touch with Dylan Clark and Tristan Van Driel combining beautifully up forward seeing the latter finish with three goals. The visitors were able to reply with three goals including a great finish from deep in the dead pocket, although it was too little too late. IK held on to win by 24-points as rain poured down.
It was a special victory for the Panthers, being the David Brown Memorial Match, with all those at Kilcunda-Bass paying tribute to a man who made a vast contribution to the club.
Passionate supporter and club legend, Brown was a devoted volunteer, providing 60 years of service.
Saturday’s contest doubled as the showcase match for Mental Health round, with Kilcunda-Bass claiming the Gus James Beyond Blue Memorial Shield.
The trophy in his memory raises awareness of mental health, with both clubs having strong connections with the James family, Gus having played for Korumburra-Bena and his son Luke representing Kilcunda-Bass.
“We had one of his close friends come and talk to the players before the game to give a bit of meaning behind what they were playing for on the day,” Korumburra-Bena coach Leigh Cole said.
With the Giants coming off a heavy loss in the previous round, in which they fell away badly in the second half, they put in a strong showing after the long break this time.
Trailing by 28 points at half time, Korumburra-Bena impressed in the third term, booting three goals to one, to trail by just 15 points heading into the final stanza.
After playing catch up for most of the day, the Giants hit the front in the final term, but Kilcunda-Bass was able to answer the challenge.
“It’s probably the first time all year that we’ve got ourselves back in the game and about 10 minutes into the last quarter we hit the front,” Cole said. He believes the key for his side is for players to believe in themselves.
“They’ve got the ability to play good patches of football but we need to keep taking the game on and not go into our shells,” Cole said.
Kilcunda-Bass coach Lee Rowe said withstanding the Giants final term challenge was a good lesson for his players.
“We simplified it a bit rather than overusing the ball,” Rowe said of the change in approach that enabled his side to better capitalise on Dale Gawley’s strong ruckwork. The Panthers also began to control the tempo better, slowing the game down after the Giants had proved effective in punishing turnovers.
Veteran Marcus Baxter had a day out for the Panthers with his six majors, his biggest haul for the season, a major factor in his side’s win. Taylor Gibson was the winner’s other multiple goal scorer with three to his name. Gawley was prominent all day in the ruck, edging out Baxter as the Panthers’ best to earn the David Brown medal, with Cameron McKenzie and Nathan Foote also making strong contributions.
Josh Hargreaves starred for the Giants in the midfield, with Kodie Walker’s second half move into the centre also decisive in keeping the Giants in the hunt. Encouragingly, seven Giants got their names on the goalkickers list, but just a couple booted more than one major. Imposing spearhead Paul Fermanis booted a couple of goals, an output matched by usual backman Matthew Lello.
Teeth may have been chattering on a bitterly cold day in the West Gippsland Football Netball Competition on Saturday but it didn’t stop some warm feeling developing between Kooweerup and Cora Lynn at Denhams Road.
Several scuffles highlighted a dour and defensive first half, with the heat boiling over just prior to half time.
Cora Lynn settled better after the main break, kicking seven goals to one to walk away with a comprehensive 10.11(71) to 3.11 (29) victory.
Kooweerup coach Rhys Nisbet was minus two important figures on the weekend, with star midfielder Cosi Anagnostou and major role player Bailey Galante both forced to sit on the sidelines.
Nisbet asked his players to be wary of a fast Cora Lynn start before sending his players to the trenches.
“It’s all about pressure today boys…don’t let them start well, be all over them with pressure and put your heads over the footy,” Nisbet said pre-game.
Kooweerup’s first objective was most certainly met, with great pressure from both teams resulting in a very low-scoring first term.
Nathan Voss, conspicuous by his absence from the forward line, started on the outer wing and it was a move that paid off handsomely with the classy number-three kicking the only goal of the first quarter after 10 minutes of play.
Matt Voss, Travis Bindley and Nathan Muratore were busy early for the Demons, while half back Dillan Bass and left-footer Brent Urwin started well for the Cobras.
Cora Lynn trailled at the first break with Nathan Gardiner, Cory Machaya and Urwin all missing opportunities to give the Cobras a first-quarter lead.
The first real sign of tension between the teams took place at the 24-minute mark of the first term, with a melee breaking out in front of the Kooweerup interchange bench.
Once things settled, Nisbet was happy with the Demons first-quarter performance.
“Great start, the pressure was up and the tackle numbers are high,” he said at the first break.
“Let’s shift the footy and test them defensively.”
The two key targets for both teams, Jason Wells and Gardiner, both missed golden opportunities to provide a second-quarter kickstart.
Demon Wells missed from close range at the two-minute mark, before Gardiner fumbled a mark on the goal-line that would have resulted in a certain goal.
It took 13 minutes into the second term for Cora Lynn to kick its first goal of the match.
Machaya, who’s ability to draw a free-kick was impressive, kicked the Cobras first, before a right-foot snap by Gardiner gave the Cobras a nine-point lead.
Machaya had a purple-patch in the second term and made the Cobras look more potent moving forward.
Nathan Voss took a strong mark and goaled at the 20-minute mark, cutting the margin back to four points.
Then, once again at the 24-minute mark, a huge melee broke out between the boundary line and fence, with players flying the flag in no uncertain terms.
A resultant 50-metre penalty to Heath Briggs saw the Cobras take a 10-point lead to the main break.
The Cobras broke the back of the Demons challenge in the third term, taking a 22-point advantage into the final term before kicking away with a four-goal-to-one last quarter.
Billy Thomas was outstanding in the ruck for the winners, relishing the slow conditions, while Rylan Smith and Robbie Hill did well to repel in defence. Matt Ryan was also important as the second tall, while Machaya and Gus Dacosta had an influence up forward.
Matt Voss was superb for the Demons on the weekend, relentless with his ball-winning ability and courage, while James Voss and Nick Prowd joined Muratore and Bindley on the best players list.
Match review via Pakenham Gazette, written by David Nagel.
The Seagulls are now just one win away from a perfect record against all-comers, with a home game against Kooweerup this week – in front of a bumper-crowd planned for the hill – set to rubber-stamp the Seagulls dominance over the rest of the competition.
The Seagulls have shown brilliance at times this season, blitzing their opposition with a clean and precise brand of football…but this victory was built on true grit and a fierce determination for the contest.
The Gulls certainly didn’t have things go their own way.
Nar Nar Goon played the better football early, leading by seven points at quarter time… with the Seagulls staying in the contest via some free kicks and 50-metre penalties that resulted in goals.
We’re not talking out of school here…with a Tooradin player overheard at three-quarter time saying his team had a good run on the day!
But to put the victory down to outside assistant from those officiating would be an insult to this Tooradin-Dalmore team.
When the game was up for grabs in the second half…the Gulls were simply superior.
Tooradin led by seven points at half time, with two third-quarter goals to in-form forward Stewart Scanlon kicking the margin out to 19 points at the final break.
Scanlon first made the most of a relayed kick downfield, calmly slotting his fourth goal for the afternoon, before his fifth goal – at the 23-minute mark of the third term – highlighted why the Gulls are such a dangerous proposition this year.
On a day when extreme skill took a back seat, the Gulls created something out of nothing.
Piva Wright won a ruck-tap on centre wing, which found Blake Grewar clear of congestion, with the Gulls’ number-30 quickly launching into the forward line.
Scanlon, outnumbered, then took a mark he shouldn’t have taken – it was awkward – before setting himself and kicking truly.
Wright to Grewar to Scanlon…three of the Gulls big-guns decided to have an impact and the result was beautiful to watch.
Tooradin would kick the first goal of the last quarter, via a Jake O’Donnell mark and goal, before the Goon lifted for one last shot at the title.
Trent Armour, outstanding all day through the midfield, cut the margin back to 19 points, before full-forward Dermott Yawney launched an absolute bomb with the wet footy to cut the deficit to 13 with just five minutes ticked off the clock.
Trent Noy then missed a golden opportunity to reduce the margin to single digits before the Seagulls finished strongly.
A long bomb from Stevie Robb was followed by the sealer from Jimmy Trezise and the Gulls had prevailed after the Goon’s best shot.
Scanlon’s five goals were crucial to the 32-point win, while Lewis Hill and Brent Macaffer
continued their brilliantly consistent form. Stalwart defender Adam Galea stuck firm to his task on Yawney, while Trent Adams and Trezise were others to shine under lights.
The Goon wasn’t that far away, with that stray kick from Noy halting some hard-earned momentum in the final term.
Armour and Yawney finished with two each for the vanquished, while youngsters Tex Marsham and Nate Pipicelli joined Armour and Jake Smith on the best players list.
Match review via Pakenham Gazette, written by David Nagel.
Mercurial AFL superstar Shaun Burgoyne drew a monster crowd to Dalyston for their round 10 clash with Garfield and nobody went home disappointed.
“I am genuinely honoured to have been given this opportunity to play here (today), it’s a great initiative to give back to the community,” Shaun said post-match.
“It’s my first game back since retirement, so the nerves were there but I’m just glad we could get the boys a win today.”
The eight goal victory was less important than the self-belief Dalyston players will have gained from the experience. Senior coach Peter Dunlop admitted, “The boys lost a bit of confidence after a big loss last week, but today showed their strength as a team.”
“Having Shaun on the ground at a home game gave the boys an energy boost and I hope they can hold onto the feeling and move forward with it for the rest of the year,” Dunlop said.
Under overcast skies, Garfield kicked with the blustery southerly toward the highway end and their young team were keen to make an impression early.
Mehdi Daoud’s squeeze kick from the pocket was knocked through on the line before Jonathon Sauze, breaking a tackle, drew first blood for the Stars.
Ten minutes in, Burgoyne at CHF hadn’t seen much action but cleverly spoilt a Garfield clearance, trapped the ball and found Jack Paravicini in range to deliver Dalyston’s first. The Magpie’s defence was up and about with Walsh and Monson winning the aerial contests and Tait and Marotta running the ball forward.
Dalyston captain, Blake Carew added his team’s second goal to take the lead but further scoring in a hard fought first quarter was limited to behinds by either team.
A touch of Silk’s class allowed Dalyston the perfect start to the second term. Floating behind a forward line stoppage Burgoyne received the tap, balanced and scored in one fluid motion. Having seen how it is done the Magpies, under Silk’s influence, were showing skills that hadn’t been evident week on week.
The ball was constantly in Dalyston’s forward fifty. Mason Storr sent two set shots wide but shared his next entry with Paravicini, who steered through his second. Big Jack Murray finished off good work from Armstrong and Wallis to add another goal and Dalyston could cool their jets at halftime 23 points up.
With work still to be done, the Magpies commenced the third term with intent. Running in numbers served up consecutive goals to Hayden Wallis and Carew. Garfield rallied mid-quarter and through determination answered with goals to Ian Melrose and Joe Verleg on the back of some excellent teamwork by the Stars. This burst was quelled by Dalyston tightening up their defensive efforts with Ben Lewis proving effective across the halfback line.
The Dalyston huddle at three quarter time was twenty times deeper than usual, as the fans surged to listen in. The message was clear and simple – finish off what you have started.
As the reserve’s newly installed light towers illuminated to full effect on a now darkening day a rainbow stretched across the horizon and the Magpies went on their merry way. Blake Carew, presenting well on the lead, capped off a good afternoon with another two goals.
And in the final minute Shaun Burgoyne marked and goaled from 45 to bring the crowd to its feet and cap off a memorable day for Dalyston.
Match review via South Gippsland Sentinel Times.
ELLINBANK & DISTRICT FNL ROUND 10 REVIEW
It’s half time at Lang Lang and Ellinbank are down by 19 points in atrocious conditions.
Some doubts may have been starting to creep in externally. Would it be a bridge too far for Ellinbank to claim an important result as the Eagles look to separate themselves from the mid-table pack?
Internally there was no doubt, as the visitor went on an impressive and dominant second half run to eventually win comfortably, 11-7 (73) to 7-6 (48).
Nothing had been going the Eagles way, Bryce Joyce taking a while to get going after being dealt with in a harsh sling tackle over the boundary line.
Daniel Lewis showed a clean set of hands and found space to open the scoring, before keeping the ball in play with a toe poke opened an opportunity for Liam Hetherington.
Lewis showed a clean set of heels for another and while Nathaniel Paredes was pushed forward to convert a clever snap, Daniel Vela responded for the Tigers.
Liam Edgar, Jackson Ventura, Lewis, Bradley Aldwell and Luke Clark were leading the way as the Tigers took control.
Worries for the visitor were exacerbated when Tim Farthing came from the ground looking proppy.
When Liam O’Connor, who returned from some injury concerns of his own with a shoulder, was gifted a certain goal from a 50-metre penalty, the Tigers had five goals to one and were threatening an upset in Ben Barwick’s 100th game.
A response was required, and internal belief was no doubt in the camp as the Eagles would score 10 of the next 12 goals to turn the game on its head.
Ellinbank began to force repeat entries to have the Tigers defence work overtime, and Liam Carolan would convert a snap from a free kick to close the margin to 19-points.
Lewis found space to give Lang Lang the first goal for the second half, but it would only spur the Eagles onto a run that would see them not only work their way back into the contest but hit the front heading into the final change.
Daniel Risol, Anthony Battista, Michael Urie and Ryan Atherton came into the game, while Paredes began to shake his heavy tag to drive the Eagles’ forward.
A courageous mark from Paredes sparked the run, with Urie finding Matthew Dare to give the Eagles consecutive goals for the first time.
Ashley Scott was allowed to go on with it and take the advantage after Urie had been unfairly dealt with as the Eagles closed within a goal.
When Shaun Phelan was rewarded with a holding the ball free kick, Ellinbank had remarkably hit the front. He wasn’t done yet, plucking another mark running back and wasting no time to play on for another goal.
As the rain began to set in, the Eagles kicked consecutive goals to push the margin out to three goals.
While Lewis kicked his third for the Tigers for a steadier at the 18-minute mark, Phelan would shut down any hope of a Tigers revival when he booted his fourth.
Johnson would finish with his second through the agency of Mark Vassett to cap an inspired second half from Ellinbank.
Match review via Warragul Drouin Gazette, written by Davyd Reid
Despite coming up against the third-placed Longwarry, the Cats demonstrated there is a considerable gap as they kicked away to win 20-13 (133) to 3-5 (23).
Not satisfied with building a 12 goal to three advantage, the Cats booted the last eight goals of the game to run out a big win.
The home side again showed it had plenty of avenues to goal, Luke Kinder leading a band of nine scorers with four goals.
Also among the better players for the Cats were Tyssen Morrow, Kody Wilson, Isaac Fuller, Ben Fitzpatrick and Cooper Clancy.
Best for the Crows were Nicholas Redley, Bailey Stephens, Ben Cuckson, Daniel Pullen, Brody Hamilton and Hamish Busk.
Match review via Warragul Drouin Gazette, written by Davyd Reid
Catani broke through for its first win of the season, holding on to win despite Nilma-Darnum threatening with a late charge.
While the Blues showed superior run and carry early to set up a 24-point buffer at half time, the territory game that comes with persistent rain and wet conditions suited the Bombers better.
And it made for some nervous moments in the second half for the Blues camp, who were able to ultimately hold on by just nine points, 9-13 (67) to 9-4 (58).
With both sides eager for their first win, the players came out to warm up long before the umpires were due to emerge, such was the enthusiasm for the contest.
It saw the Bombers return to the rooms and the Blues seek some shelter at the interchange before they would come out and go again.
Catani showed good run and carry early, and it served them well, booting the first three goals of the match to establish an early buffer.
Brayden Kennedy scored first from a set shot before a high kick from Michael Ralph drifted in to finish an outside handball chain.
A kick from the pack had Bomber defenders scrambling and no one was able to lay a hand on the rolling shot as the Blues kicked clear.
The Blues would struggle to shake the Bombers the entire afternoon, as the Bombers found a clear path to goal to pull one back ahead of the first change.
The Blues began the second term well as Thomas Keily went long following a free kick, with the Blues able to scramble a goal from the pack in the goal square.
The Bombers responded with a clever soccer from the pocket to begin a goal for goal chain. This time Keily found himself on the end of it, finishing the long entry from Tom Williams.
It would be the Blues to find consecutive goals again, finishing a long snap from centre half forward from Chris Power.
The Bombers converted a long set shot to again draw close, but their hard work was undone at the other end as a Catani player was dealt with after he kicked to set up a certain goal from the square.
Malcolm Hunter made good from a set shot on the siren to close the margin to four goals at the long break.
With the rain continuing to fall as the players emerged, Catani were winning the long kick and territory game early in the third term but could only produce minor scores for their efforts.
It would turn mid-way through the quarter as Boeden Fries made certain a 50-metre penalty as the Bombers worked back into the contest.
This time it was the Catani defence scrambling as the Bombers bounced one through to close the margin to 17.
The relieving pressure came when the Blues converted from a free kick to re-establish their 24-point buffer.
Brett Williams, Nathaniel Rodda, William Mcgindle, James Williams, Dylan Williams and Kennedy led the efforts as the Blues looked to keep control.
Not to be denied the Bombers would lift the intensity, scoring the first goal of the final term with a snap from the pack as rain became heavier.
Nick Carrigy, Nathan Campbell, Hunter, Caiden Deppeler, Fries and Korey Carrison would lead the charge as the Bombers came home strongly.
Dylan Williams marked on the lead and kicked truly for a steadier for the Blues, but the Bombers would come again.
Repeat stoppages became order of the day as the skies became very dark, another snapped goal from the stoppage lifting the Bombers again.
Harley Lacunes had mastered the conditions as goals were hard to come by. He would finish with three majors as a mark in the goal square running back with the flight closed the margin to nine points.
Time was ultimately against the Bombers, as the Blues moved forward from a relieving free kick to hold on and score the first win of their season.
Match review via Warragul Drouin Gazette, written by Davyd Reid
Trafalgar scored the highest total for the round, and it could have been greater had it been for better accuracy in the second term.
Nyora were competitive early before the Bloods kicked away to win 19-20 (134) to 2-5 (17).
Despite a return of 3-10 in the second term, Trafalgar had built a handy 43-point buffer at the long break and went on with it in the second half, booting nine goals to one.
It was the running players that led the scoring, unsurprising given the conditions, as Matthew Swenson booted four and Klay Butler three.
Other better players were Matthew Van Schajik, Klay Butler, Samuel Wyatt, Tristan Marslen and Blake Slater.
Battling to try and gain some ascendancy for Nyora were Adam and Scott Pugh, Jesse and Dylan Heylen, Brodie Anderson and Jack Rosenow.
Match review via Warragul Drouin Gazette, written by Davyd Reid
Buln Buln held on against a fast-finishing Yarragon for an important narrow win in a score line which better reflected the conditions for the day.
Despite not scoring in the final term, the Lyrebirds won 3-6 (24) to 3-3 (21).
The Panthers scored the only goal of the first term and despite the Lyrebirds working their way back into the contest, it was the home side taking a narrow two-point lead as they returned to the changerooms.
Shaun Beecroft joined Matt Gray and Reece Campbell in the scoring party as the Lyrebirds booted the only two goals of the third term to open an eight-point lead at the final change.
As they have done in recent weeks, Yarragon would come again in another strong finish to threaten to take the points.
Captain Mitch Jolly proved a handy inclusion, as he would finish the only multiple goal scorer on the day as the Panthers drew within three points in a thrilling finish to give the Lyrebirds a scare.
Jake Herbel, Beecroft, Jake Pierrehumbert, Jared Lane, Brandon Allen and Gray helped the Lyrebirds hold firm.
Leading the charge for Yarragon were Damien Allison, Sam van der Zalm, Josh Vosper, Tyler Payroli, Leigh Diston and Lachlan Shaw.
Match review via Warragul Drouin Gazette, written by Davyd Reid
GIPPSLAND LEAGUE COMPLETION OF ROUND 9 REVIEW
It’s often said there are no guarantees in footy. For Warragul, an away trip to face ninth-placed Bairnsdale would have been, on paper, a golden opportunity to claim their second win of the season.
Instead, like the Big Freeze sliders prior to the match, the Gulls soon found themselves out in the cold, as the Redlegs ran riot after quarter time to enjoy a big win, the final score being 15.14 (104) to 8.13 (61).
The usual suspects for Warragul played well, with Nicholas Mulqueen and Nick Graham finding plenty of the ball through the middle, while Jed Lamb once again top scored for the Gulls with four goals despite some issues with inaccuracy.
Despite these solid performances, Bairnsdale had a much greater spread of contributors as most of their players played a role.
John Gooch’s return to the side proved a boon as he kicked four goals, while Brayden McCarrey was lively with four of his own.
The standout, however, was undoubtedly Redlegs midfielder Shane McDonald. Playing his first match for the year, McDonald was everywhere, collecting 33 disposals and kicking two goals to claim best on ground honours.
The Gulls tried to work hard at the contest, but were consistently overwhelmed by the overlap run Bairnsdale were able to generate through the middle.
Warragul’s best footy is often when they apply extreme pressure on other teams, but the Redlegs players always seemed to have a runner on the outside when they were confronted by a Warragul tackler.
This wasn’t the case in the first quarter though, as the Gulls started in extremely positive fashion. They were sticking their tackles, forcing Bairnsdale into errors and locking the ball inside 50.
Warragul kicked the first two goals of the game through Lamb and Michael Lynn, and were controversially denied a third when a Lamb set shot was called a behind despite the Gulls players’ protests.
They could have kicked more given the sheer number of inside 50s they had, but were guilty of bombing it high and long to nobody in particular on more than one occasion.
A late tripping free gave Bairnsdale their first goal, but at quarter time the Gulls appeared switched on.
At quarter time, fill-in coach Nick Graham lauded his side’s efforts, but warned them they couldn’t switch off and concede a bag of goals in the second term to waste it.
Unfortunately for Warragul, this was exactly what they did.
Bairnsdale worked their way through the Warragul pressure in the second term, kicking six goals to none in a rush to effectively end the contest by half time.
The Gulls certainly didn’t help themselves at times, conceding two of those six goals through 50 metre penalties that took the Redlegs to the goal square.
At the other end their scoring issues also continued. While Lamb was constantly threatening, his radar was a little off for the day, missing some chances to keep Warragul in it, while very few of his teammates looked like easing the burden he carried.
Of the 69 goals Warragul has collectively kicked this year, Lamb has kicked 32 of them, showing just how dependent they are at times for him to fire if they want to keep up with other sides.
The Redlegs run and carry opened up Warragul countless times, and they began to dominate the clearance game which allowed them to maintain control of the ball.
On the other hand, when Warragul did get their hands on the footy, they very rarely had options running past, forcing them to boot it with little direction.
This, coupled with a sizeable wind blowing across the ground, meant their kicking more often than not failed to find a target, and ended up out of bounds on the full on more than one occasion.
The highlight of the day for the Gulls came in the third quarter when they finally found their third goal through Graham, who burst through a pack and kicked a goal off the outside of his boot from 40 metres.
By that point however Bairnsdale were in cruise control. Though Warragul found some scoring potency in the last quarter thanks to some tired legs allowing the game to open up, it mattered little as they sunk to their seventh loss of the season.
Nicholas Mulqueen, Nicholas Graham, James Davidson, Jake Hughes and Brad Hefford were named as Warragul’s best players.
For Bairnsdale, Shane McDonald, Austin Hodge, Josh Wykes, Sam Gilbert, Logan Austin and Brayden McCarrey were all outstanding.
Match review via Warragul Drouin Gazette, written by Nicholas Duck
MID GIPPSLAND FNL ROUND 9 REVIEW
On their home ground and with everything to play for, MDU had prepared themselves for a “finals like” clash with the visiting Morwell East.
A win for the Hawks was a non negotiable for coach Devon Soutar, and his team delivered 15.16-106 to the Demons’ 7.5-47.
“We were outplayed all day by a better side,” MDU coach Peter Harris said. “We need to turn a few things around for next week now.”
Morwell East are slowly putting together the type of football that will trouble any side in the competition, and the team is also doing it for longer.
“We felt like we controlled the game across all quarters which is something we have struggled with so far this season,” Soutar said. “The connection and trust within the group is growing, and we are starting to all swim in the same direction.”
Match review via multiple publications, written by Rob Popplestone.
It was D-Day for Fish Creek, sitting third to bottom on the ladder, three games from the league’s top six and three games behind their weekend opponent Yinnar.
The Magpies had both the opportunity to kill off Fish Creek’s final hopes and chance to climb tantalisingly close to the top sides in the competition.
In short, there was a lot to play for, for both sides. However, only one could be rewarded, and in this instance it was Yinnar with a comfortable 11.10-76 to 3.6-24 victory.
“We got a five goal jump in the first quarter with the help of a pretty strong breeze,” Yinnar coach Daniel Taylor reported. “The second and third quarters were a real arm wrestle, with Fish Creek having a lot of the momentum and territory, but not being able to hit the scoreboard which was a credit our back six. We managed to kick another three in the last to pull away for a comfortable win.”
“I’m really proud of the boys for digging in,” Taylor added. “It was a great win and a really important one for the group.”
An important win for Yinnar was a costly loss for Fish Creek.
“It was a bit of a reality check for us,” Fish Creek coach John Danckert said. “We got left in the barriers and were down five goals early. We fought back in the second and early in the third quarter, but Yinnar were too good in the end.”
The Kangaroos season is far from over, but winning and stringing wins together is now crucial, starting with their clash with Thorpdale this coming week.
Match review via multiple publications, written by Rob Popplestone.
Just a game out of the top six and returning to their home ground, Stony Creek were as prepared as they could be for an in-form Newborough.
However, the Bulldogs are hungry and ran out comfortable winners, 10.14-74 to 4.8-32.
Newborough coach Craig Skinner was impressed with the ground which withstood 180mm of rain in a week and still had the ball bouncing by the final siren.
“We played an undermanned Stony Creek that turned on the South Gippsland weather,” Skinner said. “We did well into the wind to stop Stony from getting a head start and managed a small lead at half-time. It wasn’t worth the $12 entry but we got going after half-time with Josh Hecker in the midfield and Joel Mitchell marking everything in his area. Very happy to have driven home with the four points after nine games in a row.”
The effort from the Lions was genuine for most of the day, but the pressure is starting to build as each passes.
“Well, in tough weather conditions against a strong Newborough outfit, we didn’t get the result we were after,” Stony Creek coach Jai Acardi said. “But the boys cracked in all day, and that’s all we asked for.”
Match review via multiple publications, written by Rob Popplestone.
After fending off all comers in the opening rounds of the season, Tarwin entered this game unbeaten and sitting on top of the league ladder. However, the Sharks were well aware Hill End would possibly provide their biggest challenge to date.
The Rovers, fresh from a week off, and with coach Mike Santo wanting to send a warning shot ahead of any likely meeting in the future, knew that this game was worth more than four points. It was also worth a mental edge to the victors, an edge that Tarwin wrestled away in no uncertain manner, winning 15.14-104 to 5.10-40.
“It was great that the boys stood up on the big stage,” Tarwin coach Troy Hemming said. “Really proud of the whole group. The boys are enjoying the footy and that’s all that matters.”
Life is good for the Sharks; a strong group, good depth and a game style that is yet to be broken by an opposition club.
“Tarwin were way too good for us on the day,” reflected Santo. “They set up really well behind the ball. Troy Hemming has a great group with plenty of size and zip on the outside. They link up tremendously well and work for each other.”
“We were sloppy with ball in hand and our depth is really becoming an issue, we have more issues now to add to the list,” Santo added.
If ever there was a season where a coach can impact a club’s season, it appears to be this one. You get the feeling Santo might be starting to feel the pressure, and that’s when he is at his most dangerous.
Match review via multiple publications, written by Rob Popplestone.
This clash promised so much. The Tigers sat precariously in sixth spot with a handful of clubs desperate to reel them in if they faltered. The Demons sat third and within just percentage of moving into the coveted top two.
Both in sensation form, Foster proved too good, winning 8.10-58 to Boolarra 6.9-45 to start a move up the ladder.
Foster coach Sam Davies said it was a galvanising win for his group with some really special moments post game.
“We got our reward for efforts in the third term,” Davies said. “Boolarra are a really well structured team who are where they are on the ladder for a reason.”
It was possibly one that got away from Boolarra, the Demons seemingly in control early in the day.
After controlling most of the first half, Boolarra coach Tony Giardina was left to lament 15 minutes of football which cost the game.
Kicking the first goal of the third quarter against a strong breeze, Giardina said “the game turned on its head with Foster kicking the next seven goals.”
“It puts us right back in the pack with more big games to come,” he said of the result.
Match review via multiple publications, written by Rob Popplestone.
SOUTH EASTERN WOMEN’S FOOTBALL ROUND 2 CATCH UP GAME REVIEW
DIVISION TWO
Warragul Industrials 16.10.106
Pearcedale 0.0.0
BEST: Sarah Elson, Nicole Sheridan, Jenna Robertson, Chloe Bailey, Renee Young, Matilda Van Berkel
GOALS: Shanara Notman 4, Sarah Burns Renee Young 3, Amy Heath Jenna Robertson 2, Jess Szalek Michaela Williams 1.
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