MAFFRA PUSH ASIDE MOE IN 1st SEMI

The season is over for up and coming Moe that ran into a wounded but sharp Maffra in the first semi-final at Sale on Sunday.

The finals hardened Maffra showed it won’t give up its premiership defence easily with an impressive 17-12 to 811 win. The Eagles were on the job from the start. A qualifying final loss to Traralgon a week earlier had Maffra keen for battle. It didn’t take long for that to show. The first quarter was all Maffra. At quarter time it was 3-6 to nil, lively forward Mitch Bennett kicking all the goals on the way to a six-goal haul for the game.

Moe couldn’t make any inroads in the second term, the Eagles stretching the lead to a match-winning 35 points at half time. And it didn’t get any better for Moe after that.

The Eagles kicked four goals to two in the third quarter although the Lions did lift their work rate and in the last term it was Maffra running away with six goals although Moe was able to add four to double its goal tally for the match.

Despite the loss there are plenty of reasons the Lions can take heart from the season having made finals at senior level for the first time in a number of years and with a strong junior program continuing to produce results. Maffra’s defence was top class on Sunday denying Moe opportunities to make any impact.

Jack Johnstone and finals specialist Sam Walker were everywhere.

Bennett produced a best on ground performance but had a talented accomplice up forward in Dan Bedggood who, after a few quieter games, rammed through five goals. Moe key defender Charlie Reiniets stood tall against the Maffra surges to be his side’s best.

Col Sanbrook and coach James Blaser gave their all for the Lions’ cause and James De Virglio, Brock Smith and tireless ruckman Ben Morrow did their jumper, and club, proud.