Setbacks for three sides

The three teams fighting to force their ways into the Gippsland League “five” – Bairnsdale, Wonthaggi Power and Warragul – all lost on Saturday to give Morwell, in 5th spot, a six premiership point break over them.

Bairnsdale, in front of its home crowd, put up a strong fight against Leongatha going down by 10 points at the siren – 10-18 to 18-8.

Leongatha probably should have had the match well in its keeping by half time but its dominant second term produced 12 behinds and only two goals.

Redlegs’ key forward recruit Damien Cupido, who heads the league’s goalkicking list, left the club during last week to transfer to East Burwood in the metropolitan Eastern league.

Wonthaggi was another that paid for accuracy problems.

Power was a match across the ground for Traralgon but was on the back foot when it kicked six behinds to the Maroons’ four straight goals in the first term.

Power’s score was 1-10 at three-quarter time as Traralgon held on to top place in a low-scoring contest, 8-5 to 3-10.

Moe has almost booked its place in the finals and with a chance of grabbing an important spot in the top three.

The Lions scored an important win over Warragul, their ability to capitalise on some Gull mistakes proving decisive especially after their early lead was cut back to onepoint during the third quarter.

Warragul dropped off again in a final term to eventually go down 17-13 to 11-12.

Eight goals in the first quarter and another eight in the last provided the bulk of Morwell’s 2410 against Drouin’s 8-10.

In the Sunday rivalry clash between Maffra and Sale it was Maffra comfortably despite waywardness near goal.

The Eagles kicked 1221 to Sale’s 7-5, four of Sale’s goals coming in the last quarter. chance against a side they beat when they clashed earlier in the season.

The assignments are a bit tougher for Bairnsdale and Wonthaggi in their away games against Maffra and Leongatha respectively and needing to reverse heavy defeats from when they met in round two.

Traralgon and Moe both look headed to the finals but the result of their match at Traralgon could have a big bearing on what position they finish at the end of the home and away rounds.

Drouin will host Sale in a clash of the two bottom sides.

Matches next Saturday at grounds of first named clubs:Leongatha v. Wonthaggi Power. Warragul v. Morwell. Traralgon v. Moe. Drouin v. Sale. Maffra v. Bairnsdale.