Garfield youngster Beau Runnalls has taken the step up to senior football this year in his stride after debuting as an under 18 last season.By Ken Moore
AT the halfway mark of the season, Warragul, last season’s wooden spooner, finds itself in a strong position to play in this season finals after a convincing 24 point victory over Morwell. The Gulls are now 12 points clear of the sixthplaced Morwell with an advantage of 15 percentage points, so they would have to fall in a heap to miss the finals.
After an even first quarter, Morwell opened a mini break in the second quarter before Warragul gained a foothold with four goals in the last six minutes to take a sixpoint lead at the main break. Gull livewire Kael Bergles proved hard to contain with four first halfgoals. Warragul finished the game full of running, turning a ninepoint threequartertime deficit into a 24point win. Each time Morwell threatened to burst clear or mount a challenge Warragul had all the answers.
The talented but enigmatic Bergles, who is still eligible to play under18 football went on to score six goals but tarnished his game botching another six shots on goal. Morwell lost big man Ben Webb to a rib injury in the third quarter and his departure allowed Matt Gray to dominate the ruck duels. Leigh Sheehan, John Reid and Nick Edney won stacks of possessions midfield and diminutive wingman Bobby Richardson came under notice with a good performance, highlighted by second efforts that led to many crucial turnovers. Speedster Brad Nott warrants a mention, providing the Gulls with plenty of drive out of defence when introduced off the interchange bench in the second term. Daryl Couling, who returned to the Tigers this season from Churchill, troubled the Gulls’ defence, notching six goals, and youngster Matt Brown showed his performance last week on debut was no flash in the pan with another good effort across the forward line. Centreman Luke Franklin offered plenty of drive and Jason Stevens did little wrong at centre halfback.
Traralgon’s clash with Garfield was a game of two contrasting halves. At the main break Traralgon led by 48 points and was on target for a percentage building victory but in the second half, after harsh words from coach Ben Soumilas, the Stars hit back to creep within nine points in the last quarter. Traralgon got a dream start with three goals apiece by Michael Geary and Dane McGennisken in the first half and, with strong support from halfback Peter Smith, utility Daniel Pahl, who has recovered from a knee reconstruction, key defender Sam McCulloch, Lucknow recruit Richard Hood and wingman Zarrod Zuehlke, the Maroons looked home. But Garfield came out a different outfit in the second half, Shaun Pickering winning possessions midfield, ruckman Tom Marsh being a bulwark a kick behind play and Jim Bow (three goals) moved forward to provide a target.
Ben Marsh showed his usual grit and courage around the packs, wingman Harley Lacunes drove the ball forward regularly and Stuart Edwards crumbed well to put the Stars back into the contest. Given the bounce of the ball and a few disputed umpiring decisions, the Stars may have stolen the game.
Moe overran Leongatha in the midfield to win by 91 points. Moe hard nut Rod Peatey, Peter Ainsworth and youngster Brad Wedrowicz pumped the ball forward all game, Adam Kennedy and Mark Hoggard solidified the defence and Derek Pol, a raw beanpole ruckman, did well on debut, replacing Chris Hancock.
Leongatha’s woes continued and this was represented by its inability to score its first behind until the 18minute mark of the second quarter and its first goal by Dom Davis, which came at 22 minutes into the third term. Ben Geitz and Mark Lafferty toiled hard in defence and Caine Salmon and Brad Anderson offered plenty of resistance in and around the middle.
Drouin was no match for Maffra. The Hawks trailed at the main break by 39 points but fell away badly to go down by 120 points. Jesse Oldham, a regular Gippsland Power player, showed he was a player in the making with a fine fivegoal performance and his Power teammate Winston Gieschen also impressed with three goals. Glen Coridas, the oldest player on the Eagles’ list, returned to form with five goals to show he was far from a spent force and Adrian Burgiel did plenty of good work in an uncustomary defensive role for the second consecutive week. For Drouin, ruckrover Chris Dunne returned from VFL side Springvale and picked up plenty of touches. Ruckman Bob McCallum again made his presence felt, Jordan Edwards, initially at centre halfback and then as a loose man, spoilt many Eagle forward thrusts and youngsters Mick Ablett and Matt Hedley did enough to give Hawks supporters hope for the future.
