Tigers keep in touch
A battle between two of the best teams in it turned into a fizzler while two sides fighting to keep in touch with the top five played out a thriller.
Morwell have kept their finals chances alive after downing a determined Bairnsdale.
2022 Trood Award and Rodda Medal runner-up Tristen Waack was back to his dynamic best for the Tigers, booting three goals and proving a presence around the ground to help propel his side to an 11.6 (72) to 8.10 (58) win.
With both teams looking to stay in touch with the top five the stakes were high, and going into the final term the Tigers held a slender two-point lead, despite having three fewer scoring shots.
With everything to play for the match ultimately came down to who could take their opportunities more effectively.
And in the end it was the yellow and black who took their chances, booting three final quarter goals to one to be just four points outside the top five.
While Waack was Morwell's best, he found more than enough support from Zachary Anderson, Boyd Bailey and Max Linton.
Bairnsdale coach Logan Austin gave it everything he had for his side, kicking three goals.
Tyran Rees and Ethan East were likewise full of heart, but they couldn't stop the Redlegs from dropping their fifth straight match.
It's been a disappointing turn for their side, having begun the year so brightly.
Their match next week against Warragul now looms as a must-win affair.
Traralgon vs Wonthaggi
Wonthaggi have sent a powerful message to the rest of the competition after completely dismantling Traralgon away from home.
The Power and Maroons have played out a number of thrillingly close encounters in recent history, including a draw last season, but it wasn't to be this time as the Power stormed their way to a 16.10 (106) to 3.9 (27) win.
The visitors were unimpeachable at times, particularly defensively, keeping the Maroons to a paltry three goals.
The second half was especially impressive – the Power piled on nine goals to one to leave the home fans in disbelief.
It was a thrashing the likes of Traralgon has rarely experienced over the past few years, and will undoubtedly leave them with plenty to ponder this week.
The Power were simply dominant in all areas, as Ryan Sparkes and Thomas Murray bullied the Maroons through the middle, with Cooper McInnes (seven goals) being the main beneficiary of his their efforts.
For Traralgon their usual standouts Luis D'Angelo and Tye Hourigan were solid, but with essentially no reward coming on the scoreboard their contributions couldn't get the Maroons going.
Wonthaggi have now leapfrogged Traralgon as a result, with the Maroons now facing an intriguing match against Sale next week, with top five ramifications aplenty.
Maffra vs Leongatha
Leongatha have bounced back from their first loss in two years with ease by comfortably accounting for Maffra.
Ex-Essendon and current VFL forward Noah Gown kicked four on debut for the Parrots, who were well serviced by strong games from Cade Maskell, Tom Marriott and Jack Hume in the 14.13 (97) to 4.7 (31) win.
While the two teams have had some titanic clashes in their storied rivalry, the difference in where they now sit was evident from the first bounce.
As the reigning premiers Leongatha has back-to-back in mind, while Maffra are in the early stages of rebuilding their young side back into contention.
The Parrots kicked five goals to one to have the scoreboard in their favour early, and though there was some fight from the Eagles in the second, that was where the resistance ended.
Maffra couldn't kick a goal in the second half, registering just five behinds as the Parrots ran riot.
Alex Carr, Ben Brunt and Kade Renooy were the better players for Maffra, who are now six points behind fifth-placed Sale.