By Ken Moore
PREMIERSHIP favourites Traralgon reinforced its lofty standing on the ladder after chalking up an easy 96-point victory over Garfield on Saturday.
In all likelihood it was the Stars’ final match in the WGLFL, having applied to join the Ellinbank and District Football League in 2010.
The Maroons led by 27 points at quarter time and built upon their advantage in every quarter.
Classy forward Michael Geary was the catalyst behind Traralgon’s early ascendancy with five goals before half time, Glenorchy recruit Matt Smith amassed 35 midfield positions and Nick Quenault was creative off his half-back flank and generated plenty of drive.
Ruckman Rohan Hore fed his smalls with some fine tap work and coach Steve Hazelman and half-back Jamie Aitken were a constant menace for the Stars in and around the midfield.
Garfield gave its maximum, but the result confirmed it is more a team of workers rather than stars.
At full-back Brendan Cremin played with a lot of self assurance, wingman Ben Jostlear had a red-hot go and Ned Marsh, at both ends, put his body into many contests and made it known he was around.
Ruckman Brett Reid picked up big numbers all over the ground, Tom Marsh presented well across the forward line, but tarnished his game by scoring only one goal from seven scoring shots.
Fifteen-year-old Josh Tynan impressed once again and there was plenty to like about the performance of Xavier College student Brendan Goss, who got plenty of the ball in only his third senior game.
Hawks’ comeback shock
DROUIN produced the biggest comeback of the season and an astonishing win after it turned a 44-point three-quarter-time deficit into a morale boosting 30-point victory.
In the last quarter the Hawks stunned both the Eagles and its home fans by ramming on 12 goals and, quite incredibly kept the visitor’s goalless after they had scored 17 majors to three-quarter time and appeared on course for a comfortable victory.
Many folk may have thought that Drouin kicked with a big wind in the last term, but that was not the case that makes its win even more remarkable.
Drouin had a weapon in Chris Dunne, who played his best game since returning from VFL club Springvale and with five last-quarter goals showed he is one of the most dangerous and talented players in the competition.
In the last quarter the Hawk midfield led by Andy Soumilas, Pat McGrath and Daniel Barrand were rampant and across the forward line Brad Carmody and Troy Kneebone led and marked well, while ruckman Bob McCallum also played a pivotal role.
For Maffra, Gary Jones and Michael Coleman were lively all game, ruckman Owen Booth battled hard, key defender Sam Bristow acquitted himself well and Daniel Stubbe did plenty of important things.
Tigers finish in style
MORWELL finished the season on a positive note with a 23-point victory over Warragul.
The Tigers set up victory with a six-goal-to-one opening term.
The Gulls kept coming and narrowed the gap to only 12 points at three-quarter time before the home side finished the stronger.
Despite close attention from the Gull midfielders, Liam Visser displayed his exquisite skills and was a prime mover all game.
Youngster Jack Brown was the rock upon which the Tiger defence was built around and Jim Dowling racked up possessions all over the ground and had more than capable support from Brett Knowles and Joel Soutar.
For Warragul, Clinton Rowe and Ryan Davey used their pace well to regularly break the lines, ruckman Matt Gray narrowly eclipsed his counterpart Luke Norder and Tom Johnson notched four goals, but was well held by Jason Stevens for large parts of the match.
Des Barr did a good job on Morwell runner Adam Bailey and midfield Rob Murphy had a profitable game.
Moe’s double chance
MOE snatched third spot on the ladder and a double chance for the finals this week after a convincing 48-point victory over Leongatha.
The Parrots chances were dashed in the second quarter when they dominated play only to score one goal from 11 shots on goal and conversely the Lions netted four goals from their only four scoring attempts.
A fluky crosswind made straight kicking difficult for both sides.
While the game was very even possession wise until half-time, the visitors held a 23-point lead at the main break and extended it to 39 points with a five-goal-to-three third quarter before coasting to victory in the last term.
For Moe, Rob Michaelidis showed good ball sense all game and is now starting the realise his potential after a slow start to the season since crossing from Morwell.
Tommy Long picked up regular touches and Ashley Payne held star Leongatha forward Dwayne Holt to only two goals.
As usual Phil Town beavered into the packs, ruckman Chris Hancock put in a spirited effort and half-forward Stuart Robertson showed a return to form and played one of his better games for the season.
Matt Forys was prominent across the forward line and another Morwell recruit Andrew Petrou took a few nice grabs.
For Leongatha, rover Marc Truscio covered plenty of ground and was the key component of the Parrot midfield.
Young back-pocket Tom Marriot kept his head over the ball and stamped himself as a player of the future, while experienced utility Rhett McLennan presented well at centre half-forward.
Mark Coghlan offered plenty of drive from his wing in the first half, half-back Adam Govers put in another consistent effort and Clint Johnson marshalled the defence.
This weeks WGLFL week-one finals’ selections with likely winners in capitals.
MAFFRA v Moe at Traralgon.
Leongatha v DROUIN at Leongatha.
