Drawn game could be telling
The significance of the two points won or the two points missed from their drawn game on Saturday probably won’t be realised for Traralgon and Morwell until late in the season.
Maybe the two points “missed” will cost Traralgon the important top place for the finals or the points gained will help it get that spot or hold on to a double chance top three finish.
For Morwell the two points might get it into the finals or, alternatively, cost it a spot.
The neighbours on Saturday fought out a game where defensive pressure produced a low scoring contest in top conditions, Traralgon kicking 7-12 to Morwell’s 8-6.
A Traralgon goal at the 26-minute mark of the last quarter put it one point in front but the determined Tigers pushed the ball forward to get the levelling point as the siren neared.
It was also low scoring at Moe for three-quarters, Wonthaggi Power having what looked to be match-winning 16-point edge – 7-7 to 4-9 – at three-quarter time.
That was before the Lions stormed home with 77 to four straight goals in the final term, quality experienced players coach James Blaser, Dan Risol and Peter Ainsworth standing up when needed to get their side over the line 11-16 to 11-7.
There was a last quarter blitz at Sale as well, Bairnsdale booting nine goals in a dominant burst to turn a four-point lead into an 18-13 to 10-14 victory with ex-AFL player Damien Cupiido finishing with six goals for the winners.
Leongatha saw off Warragul in a tough game at Leongatha, sweeping away in the second half to kick 18-14 to 10-5.
At Drouin, Maffra booted nine goals in the first quarter on way to a 98-point win.
Next week’s round nine that signals the halfway stage of the home-and-away season could have a big bearing opn a number of sides’ finals propspects.
Warragul needs to win at home against 2nd placed Traralgon to get to the midway point with a better than 50 per cent win rate.
The Gulls are 6th, two points adrift of Morwell and four of Moe.
Saturday’s matches at grounds of first named clubs are:Warragul v. Traralgon. Bairnsdale v. Drouin. Wonthaggi Power v. Sale. Maffra v. Leongatha. Morwell v. Moe.