Crucial win may be one that sets up season
Warragul withstood all that Maffra could throw at them in a tension-packed finish to their clash at Western Park on Saturday to score a crucial win.
The Gulls had led comfortably for most of the game until the reigning premiers charged to within three points with about 10 minutes to go.
However, Warragul found that bit extra to see off the challenge and score the final three goals for a 14-13 to 11-8 win that was full of merit.
Especially with four players making their senior debuts.
It was the Gulls’ second successive win over Maffra after clinching a place in last year’s finals with a last round victory.
And the win on Saturday might just be the one to set up their season for a push for a finals spot,
There were five changes to the Warragul line-up that disappointed the previous week at Bairnsdale.
The injury list is still long but the Gulls shrugged that aside on Saturday, a terrific all over the ground effort setting up and then grasping the win when challenged.
One of the debutants for Warragul, Jake Horstman, certainly had a big influence.
Cleared to the club from East Malvern during the week after an employment posting to Warragul Horstman more than capably filled the Gulls’ ruck void.
His first half was outstanding helping his side win the counts for clearances and inside 50s for the first time this season.
Also running out for the seniors for the first time were Jedd Serong, Kyle Lehman and Under 18 player Will Cole.
Warragul made a great start, 5-6 to 2-1 at quarter time, and increased the lead to 35 points – 10-9 to 5-4 – by the long break.
The Gulls led by as much as 40 points in the third term before Maffra pegged the gap to 28 points at the final change.
The defence had been superb against Maffra’s usually high scoring forwards.
Nic Stevenson had a tight rein on Eagles’ full forward Darren Sheen, Tom Kelly held the lively Mitch Bennett to a couple of goals and Jake Hughes did his task well on Daniel Bedggood.
On-baller Nathan Paredes was brilliant again despite a strong “tag” to create plenty of drive around the ground and chip in with three important goals.
Brad Scalzo was also “tagged” heavily for a half but got well into the game and was superb when things were on the line in the thrilling last quarter.
Ambu Uliando and Matt Rennie also showed out in the Gulls’ best and most important win for the year.
The one sour note was an injury to youngster Caleb Serong that has ruled him out of the VicCountry Under 16 team and Warragul games for a number of weeks.
Serong broke his collarbone when he courageously backed into a marking contest.
While coach Steve Kidd was delighted with the defensive effort of all his players he’d also have been pleased with the goalkicking being spread around much more than in the previous three rounds.
Paredes and debutant Jedd Serong led the way with three each, Salzo and Ashley Di Ciero each got two and Simon Fairbairn, Lee Sheehan, Jake Orlicki and Brayden Fowler also hit the scoreboard.