Eagles fly for flag

By Ken Moore
MAFFRA is through to yet another grand final after a convincing 51-point preliminary final victory over Moe at Warragul on Saturday.
It will be the Eagles seventh grand final appearance in the past decade.
Both teams did not make the most of the wind behind their back in the first three quarters.
Little separated the teams until Maffra, kicking with the breeze in the final term, finished with a full head of steam and eight goals to nil to turn a six-point deficit into a comfortable win.
The tiring Lions failed to score in the last quarter.
Maffra’s momentum revolved around ruck-rover Ben Robbins and wingman Michael Coleman, the latter who used his skill and dash well.
Brendan Rathnow scouted the forward line with intent and drilled home five majors and this season has moved from a fringe player to a walk-up selection.
Sam Tudor has been going through a purple patch over the past month and played another resolute game in defence and both Josh Stubbe and Ben Durrant generated plenty of run and carry off the half-back line.
Moe trailed by six points at the main break and controlled play in the third quarter, but kicked poorly, missing four set shots on goal and hence only held a six-point lead to defend in the last quarter that was quickly erased by the Eagles.
Maffra started the last quarter with 70-metre ball burster by Adrian Burgiel that sailed between the big sticks and his inspirational goal set the tone for the next 30 minutes.
If Maffra had kicked straight in the last term it may have won by a triple figure point margin, such was its dominance and the last quarter heroics sets up a mouth-watering grand final against Traralgon this Saturday at Morwell.
Moe coach Troy Makepeace played with his usual self assurance and tried hard to lift his team all match and Phil Town persevered well in a tagging role on Craig Robbins and managed to stymie his normal prolific output for a large part of the afternoon.
Wingman Rob Michealides offered plenty of drive, especially in the first half, half-back Tommy Long was busy all game and Symon Lee did a terrific job to curb the influence of key Maffra forward Adrian Burgiel.
Star Moe forward Matt Fory’s was sent from the field for 15 minutes in the opening quarter which did not help the Lions cause and when he returned to the fray his team opted to use him in the last line of defence against the fluky wind in the second quarter.
Moe mows Hawks
DROUIN reserves bowed out of the premiership race after a three-point loss to Moe.
The Hawks trailed by 22 points at three-quarter time and finished strongly, but could not quite reel in the deficit in the last term.
Tempers flared after the final siren and there were three reports, including that of the Hawk water boy Jackson Irwin.
Drouin playmaker Chris Dunne, half-back David Olsen, midfielder Jason Barwick and former senior coach Ben Proctor were prominent all match, while for Moe ruck-rovers John James and veteran Billy Bodak set up plenty of forward moves and both Ryan Stirling, Jesse Bird and Michael Parker kept things tight in defence.
The Lions two-pronged attack, comprising powerhouse forward Karl Mutke (five goals) and the promising redhead John Chessels (three goals) proved a handful for the Hawk defence.
Moe has now earned the right to play Traralgon on Saturday.
Maffra fights for flags
IN the thirds, Maffra had a resounding 44-point victory over Traralgon.
After quarter time, the Eagles always looked the more likely winner.
Patrick Jones, omitted from the seniors on Saturday, bounced back with vengeance and played a fine game and had good support from Nick Armistead and Pat Walker while for Traralgon, league best-and-fairest and captain Sky Hammer offered plenty of resistance.
Maffra will play Warragul in the under-18 grand final on Saturday.
In the fourths Maffra had a 67-point victory to set up a flag showdown with minor premiers Traralgon in the opening match on grand final day at Morwell this week.
Senior grand final at Morwell this Saturday, 19 September, with selected winner in capitals.
TRARALGON v Maffra.