Warragul pays the price for sloppiness
Saturday was an opportunity lost for Warragul when it came up short at home at Western Park against Moe.
Chasing a third win to start off their season the Gulls, despite only one change to the lineup, was a far different side to the previous two rounds.
Michael Lynn came in for Matthew Ross (unavailable).
But credit shouldn’t be taken away from Moe that has a good spread of talent, experience and youth and plays a fast, attacking game.
At the siren it was a comfortable 15-10 to 512 win for the Lions, Warragul managing only a solitary goal in the second half.
Lapses in concentration can be Warragul’s Achilles heel.
They were again on Saturday in the form of some very sloppy disposal, poor forward conversion and dropped chest marks.
The first quarter lived up to pre-game expectations of a tight hard-fought game, the Gulls going to the break with 3-3 on the board and just three points in arrears of Moe’s 4-0.
Warragul edged in front with the first goal in the second term before the match turned.
A game-ending knee injury to key defender Matt Rennie midway through the quarter was a setback for the Gulls.
Not only did it rob the defence of one of its best players it also took with it the leadership he provides for the group.
Early reports are that Rennie’s injury is not season ending but the club expects he’ll miss two or three weeks.
Efficiency plays a major part in winning games and Warragul failed on that score.
For the first three quarters it had more entries into its forward line than Moe but could not make that tell on the scoreboard.
Moe’s defence is solid and generally constructive when swinging the ball upfield.
The Gulls’ coaching staff were well aware of the dangers opposition players such as Michael Stanlake and Tyson Biffin present with the way they turn defence into attack but was unable to tie them down.
In the last line Moe’s Charlie Rieniets was also a major stumbling block.
Warragul’s forward pressure was nowhere near the level of a week earlier at Wonthaggi leading to scoring opportunities drying up.
Tyssen Morrow was the best of the Gulls’ forward group but was off target, a return for the game of 1-5.
The Gulls on-ball group was also shaded on the day.
Ruckman Jake Horstman competed strongly all day and 18 year-old Kim Drew was prominent again. Drew was given the task in the first half of quelling Moe coach James Blaser and did a good job of it before being given a broader on-ball role.
Nate Paredes hasn’t hit top form as yet although he puts in solidly.
He is no doubt getting closer attention from opposing sides and may also be suffering a bit from continuous football over the past two years – summer seasons in Darwin and winters with Warragul.
Darwin recruit Mick Coomes, in his second game with the Gulls, had a good first quarter, faded a little but was among the team’s best along with Horstman, Brad Hefford, Nic Stevenson and Morrow.
Moe forward Ashleigh Dugan was a problem for Warragul all day finishing with five goals and Scott Van Dyk made a valuable contribution of four goals.
Drew kicked two of the Gulls’ five goals.