MOE CLOSES IN ON ‘FIVE’
Moe poses the main threat to present incumbents of 4th and 5th positions on the Gippsland League ladder.
The Lions sit one game outside the “five” behind Warragul and Wonthaggi Power but percentage difference is virtually nothing.
All three sides were winners at the weekend.
Warragul moved up to 4th by less than one per cent ahead of Wonthaggi.
Moe’s is only another one percentage point behind them.
Moe stayed well in the race to force its way into the “five” with a well constructed win over Morwell, 13-16 to 6-11, on Sunday.
Wonthaggi had to battle all the way to get over Sale by seven points to maintain its winning run, some recent additions to the side helping it over the line.
The Magpies have stepped up a few gears since some of their better players have returned from injury and, although finals are out of the question, could have a big say in which teams get 4th and 5th places.
Warragul, Drouin and Moe have games against Sale ahead of them.
Warragul rang the bell on Bairnsdale’s finals hopes with a come from behind win, the Redlegs’ hopes seemingly gone with only four wins on the board and star player James Gibbs unlikely to play again this year.
Drouin, well below full strength at Traralgon on Saturday, slipped six points out of the “five” after being well beaten and will need to win some big games and beat a couple of comparable sides to have a chance.
The clash between the top two - Maffra and Leongatha - was an anticlimax to say the least, the game called off late last week because of the state of the ground following heavy rain.
It may be rescheduled but the result won’s affect ladder positions; Leongatha will end the home and away season on top and Maffra will get a double chance by finishing 2nd or third.
Two games - Warragul versus Morwell and Moe against Wonthaggi Power could be critical to the make up of the finalists.
Morwell won’t make the “five” but it presents a danger to Warragul.
The Gulls need to win at Morwell on Saturday - they beat the Tigers early in the year - and at least another in a tough run home to cement a place in the finals.
Moe can jump into the “five” if it downs Wonthaggi.
It should be a “down to the wire” contest between two sides that are a lot better than two months ago.
Next Saturday’s matches at grounds of first named clubs are:Morwell v. Warragul. Drouin v. Maffra. Moe v. Wonthaggi Power. Sale v. Traralgon. Leongatha v. Bairnsdale.