Struggle for spots in Gippsland League
Halfway through the Gippsland League home and away season the sides holding down the top three positions Leongatha, Traralgon and Maffra - are the same ones in those places last year.
But the rest of the competition has evened up considerably and the other two spots in the “five” are up for grabs in a struggle that may not be sorted out until the last round.
Leongatha is undefeated but it was also pre-finals premiership favourite last year, on top of the ladder with just one loss as the midway point.
How will all sides fare over the rest of the season?
Leongatha (currently top, 36 points)
Depth down to the number 21 player didn’t match Traralgon’s that beat it twice in last year’s final series, including the grand final.
Look to have recruited well to overcome that.
Chris Dunne has been a more than able replacement for Jake Best up forward and they have a wide range of goalkicking options.
The midfield may be the area where other top sides might think they can get an advantage.
Leongatha moves the ball quickly with sharp foot and handpassing but doesn’t have a couple of speedy line breakers, Zac Vernon the best in that regard.
The midfield will be significantly strengthened if Aaron Heppell is free of commitments with Essendon’s VFL side at finals time and Pat McGrath is on the comeback trail but hasn’t played for almost two years. Traralgon (2nd, 28 points) The only major loss from last year’s premiership side is Michael Geary.
The Maroons will be in the thick of the late season action again.
They move the ball sharply and skilfully and across the ground and are possibly the fastest running side in the league.
Is strong through the middle of the ground and has an under rated defence. Scoring is shared around with its midfielders also regular contributors. Maffra (3rd, 28 points) Never can be under estimated but doesn’t look to be quite as potent as in past years.
The forward line has had to be re-jigged a bit after the departure of full forward Darren Sheen but the rest seem to get the job done.
Ruckmen ex-AFL player Trent Knobel and Macklin Raine won’t get any smaller or less talented in September and the on-ball brigade is a formidable unit.
They have consistently finished off games strongly this year.
Wonthaggi Power (4th, points)
Slow start to the season but have won the past three including against Maffra and last weekend against another contender for fourth and fifth spots, Bairnsdale.
Is getting close to its optimal line-up.
If its key players get through the rest of the season injury free will probably finish in the “five” and won’t just be making up the numbers.
A strong physical side that has a well drilled defence.
Could be boosted by several VFL and Gippsland Power players if it makes the finals. Moe (5th, 16 points) One of the season’s big improvers under first year playing coach James Blaser.
Recruited well and got a further boost five to six weeks ago by picking up top quality player Col Sanbrook, formerly with Leongatha.
Have strength down the “spine”, a good mix of youth and experience and getting better all of the time.
Would be a real boost for the club that has battled in recent seasons if it can go all the way to the finals. Warragul (6th, 16 points) Would be happy to be in with a chance of finals at the halfway point after several lean seasons.
At this stage last season the Gulls hadn’t won a game.
A group of young players have taken steps forward, Nathan Paredes has been a great addition after his time at Gippsland Power and Matt Rennie and Brayden Fowler provide some key forward targets.
And on-baller Brad Scalzo has been superb week in, week out. 16
Have to hold their nerve, get through without significant injuries and hopefully have some VFL listed and Gippsland Power players available for crucial games.
The next four rounds - versus Moe, Drouin, Bairnsdale and Morwell - are the key to the Gulls season. Bairnsdale (7th, 16 points) Missed the chance to gain some breathing space when Wonthaggi Power came from behind to snatch victory last Saturday.
Have been up and down and like the others in the fight for fourth and fifth can’t afford to lose to other contenders or sides below them on the ladder.
Has a danger game at Drouin next Saturday to start the second half of the season. Drouin (8th, 10 points) Were outside the “five” on percentage this time last year and would need a minor miracle to reach the finals.
The Hawks would probably need to win seven of the remaining nine games, six at a minimum if other results fell their way, to get there.
They are at least as capable as a year ago and could well put major dents in the chances of some of the contenders.
Three of those level on 16 points - Bairnsdale, Moe and Wonthaggi have trips to Drouin ahead of them. Sale (9th, 8 points) Gone. Lost a few players from last year and have had a horror run with injuries.
The loss at the start of the year of captain and former league best and fairest Kane Martin to a season-ending injury set the tone.
The Magpies haven’t been competitive in the past three rounds in losses to Warragul, Drouin and Moe. Morwell (10th, 6 points) Suffered major player losses after back to back premierships in 20132014 and haven’t recovered.
But it is a sign of the narrowing gap this year between the top and the bottom that the bottom side has notched a win and a draw.
Could pull off a win or two over the rest of the season that might cruel some finals’ hopes.