Fowler blitz set path for first win of year
A brilliant nine-goal performance by new skipper Brayden Fowler led Warragul to its first win of the season, by 22 points, win over Morwell in the Good Friday clash at Morwell.
In only his second game as captain Fowler’s five first quarter goals had the Tigers reeling as Warragul, aided by a slight breeze, blazed to an 8-4 to 0-4 quarter time lead.
Then, in the final term, when Morwell got within one goal and looked headed for a possible victory that 90 minutes earlier seemed out of the question, it was Fowler that stood up again to steer the Gulls home.
He kicked four of his side’s five goals for the quarter to see off the Morwell challenge and take the points 17-13 to 13-15.
It was a crucial win for Warragul after a lack-lustre opening round loss to Moe and with three of its next four games away.
However, the Gulls win wasn’t just a Fowler show.
In stark contrast to the Moe game Warragul received solid across the ground team contributions.
The line-up was boosted by the inclusions for probably one of the few times this year of Chris Carey and Tom Hobbs from Port Melbourne’s VFL development team, Kim Drew and Caleb Serong from Gippsland Power and Jack Hudson on permit from Hill End.
Among the outs were Leigh Sheehan (injured) joining his brother Brendan on the sidelines that tested Warragul’s defensive structure.
But out of necessity can come some gems.
On Friday that happened in the form of Matt Rennie.
Recruited last year to bolster the forward line Rennie was swung to defence where he was a mainstay turning many Morwell threats with excellent judgement and sound marking.
On-ballers Nathan Paredes, Hobbs and Brad Scalzo were also instrumental.
Paredes was only shaded for best on ground honours by Fowler’s standout game.
He finished with five goals, almost equally as important as Fowler’s nine, from brilliant reading of the play especially when the ball fell from the hands of marking and ruck contests.
And his superbly weighted kick from near the boundary to Michael Lynn in the goal square created one of the three Warragul goals that didn’t come from his or Fowler’s boots.
Hobbs was a strength all day around the packs.
His inclusion enabled Scalzo to be “eased” into the game starting in the forward line rather than in the heat of battle.
That paid dividends as the game wore on and when the Gulls were under threat.
Scalzo was everywhere in the second half to win a feast of the ball.
Carey has played better games but was highly important providing strength at the ruck contests and a target around the ground to kick to, generally the ball coming off hands to give the ground level players chances to win possession.
Morwell, despite the loss, can take plenty of positives out of the game.
To fight back and get to the verge of hauling in an eight-goal deficit took some committed constructive play.
The Tigers cut the deficit to just one goal seven minutes into the last quarter and had the aid of the breeze.
A 50-metre penalty conceded by Morwell when the ball was in its forward line and Warragul under the pump was just the break the Gulls needed.
The kick forward resulted in a free to Fowler and a goal.
There were three more goals to him and one to Paredes before Fowler iced his day with a long conversion from near the boundary line.
Both Warragul and Morwell football and netball clubs’ efforts on Friday raised just over $5000 for the Royal Children’s Hospital Appeal.
Great organisation of the day by Morwell saw a big crowd with gate takings of $6600.
GIPPSLAND LEAGUE