Moe, Wonthaggi jump into ‘five’

Fourth and fifth spots on the Gippsland league ladder have new occupants after Saturday’s round.

Wonthaggi Power’s third win in a row and Moe’s victory over Sale lifted them into the “five” at the expense of Warragul and Bairnsdale.

Wonthaggi, Moe, Warragul and Bairnsdale are locked in battle for two places in the five.

All have four wins, 16 premiership points, and little separates them on percentage.

Wonthaggi did it the hard way at Bairnsdale on Saturday coming from 19 points down at half time and 16 at three-quarter time to snatch the win, 12-12 to 11-7.

Key forwards Troy Harley and Adam Cook, with nine goals between them, were the difference against Bairnsdale who had captain James Gibbs return but lost Simon Deery to VFL duties with Footscray.

Warragul wasn’t able to get intro stride at Maffra that again finished off a game strongly to win by 65 points.

Moe’s win against Sale not only put it in the “five” and with a chance of playing finals under first year coach James Blaser but almost certainly drove the last nail into Sale’s remote hopes of mounting a challenge in the second half of the season.

The Lions always had an edge in the clash at Moe and drove home its advantage in the second half to give its percentage an important lift posting 17-16 to 11-5.

Leongatha reached the halfway mark with its unblemished record intact, on Saturday accounting for Drouin 11-12 to 6-5.

Traralgon (2nd) took on Morwell (10th) in their now traditional Queen’s Birthday Monday matchup yesterday with the result unknown at The Gazette’s production deadline.

However, the result - it would be the year’s biggest upset to date had Morwell won - won’t impact on finals chances.

The next round, the first in the run home towards finals, will be a split round with three games next weekend and two the following week.

Ther key clash next Saturday will be between contenders for fourth and fifth on the ladder, Moe and Warragul.

On Saturday week undefeated leader Leongatha will clash with second placed Traralgoin. This week’s games are: Saturday: Drouin v. Bairnsdale. Moe v. Warragul. Sunday: Maffra v. Sale. June 25, 26:Saturday: Leongatha v. Traralgon.

Sunday: Morwell v. Wonthaggi Power.