WGLFL round 18 review

GARFIELD welcomed Leongatha for the first time and held on in the face of a late challenge by the Parrots to win by five points and cling to hopes of a finals appearance.
The first quarter was a tight affair and good pressure was applied by both sides, but there were also simple turnovers. Leongatha, in an away strip, had most of the chances to set up a good lead but wasted opportunities. At the first break a ninepoint lead didn’t seem to be enough for Leongatha and Garfield came out in the second quarter with all guns blazing. Garfield then wasted opportunities and at halftime Leongatha had a lead of nine points.
The Parrots came out and posted 5.8 but allowed Garfield 5.1. In the last quarter Garfield scooted away to a fourgoal lead but Leongatha would not give in and came back to be unlucky fivepoint losers. For Garfield the Marsh brothers, Tom and Ben, were good with support from Ben Soumilas, Matt Cunningham and Jake Hower.
Warragul hosted Moe determined to finish the season with good performances. In the first half competition was even and at halftime the Gulls were only trailing by nine points but had had more scoring shots. Desi Barr was getting plenty of possessions, Bernie Jones was continuing his great form and smalls Brad Nott and Kael Bergles were getting possessions at will. In the third quarter the Lions were able to extend their lead to 12 points but the going was tough and Warragul was unlucky not to be in front. In the last quarter the Lions finally shook off the Gulls to run away with a 39point victory.
Morwell hosted Drouin and was keen to wipe out the firstround loss and put its finals campaign back on track. The first half was tight and at halftime the Hawks were in front by a point. In the third quarter Drouin opened a good lead but in the last quarter Morwell shut down the Hawks and added 4.5 to post an 11point win. Coach Anthony Magnuson kicked five goals and Adam Bailey two and Luke Franklin, Ben Draper and Ben Web were effective around the ground. For the Hawks Chris Wallace, David Olsen, Kent Edwards and Chris Dunne never gave up competing.
Sale offered little resistance to the powerful Maffra unit on Sunday.
The Maffra machine was awesome and easily dispelled any doubts about their dominance. The Eagles were just too good and pecked the Magpies into submission. Andrew Gieschen booted seven majors while Scott Henning marshalled his teammates in the back half and completely shut down the Sale forwards.