Gulls put together three wins in a row
For the first time in a decade Warragul has put together three consecutive wins.
In wild and wet conditions Warragul is back in the five after a good win against Moe on Saturday.
The final score was Warragul 10-12-72 to Moe 9-6-60.
Warragul played strong football throughout the match but there was little in it until the final quarter.
There was only three points separating the Gulls and Lions at the end of the first quarter, 3-1 to 3-4.
The second quarter was a hard fought affair with neither side scoring a goal. Warragul only kicked two behinds, with Moe kicking only one.
While there was a lot of rain and strong wind during the game, the ground held up well and the players didn’t have to contend with the mud which dominated in other matches.
The Lions showed some grit in the third quarter, the only quarter it out scored the Gulls, but Warragul steadied with Moe scoring 3-3 to Warragul 2-1.
The Gulls took command of the game in the final quarter. They kept their foot on the peddle and ran off with the win kicking 5-5 to Moe’s 3-1.
Kim Drew, Matthew Rennie and Nate Paredes were again solid workers around the ground and key contributors to the team effort.
Braydon Fowler’s four goals showed his strong presence in the forward line and he put in an excellent last quarter.
Warragul’s best were Nathan Paredes, Matthew Rennie, Kim Dow, Brayden Fowler, Samuel Whibley and Bradley Hefford.
The goals were shared around with Fowler getting 4, Matthew Ross 2, Kim Drew, Thomas Kelly and Tyssen Morrow 1.
The Gulls are well into the second half of the season with three wins. It will give them a confidence boost and combines with a more settled line up as the injury list has dwindled.
Coach Steve Kidd has been striving for more consistency and believes he is now seeing some good results.
“I feel like the playing group is now performing well every week,” he said.
“We are doing everything right, we are playing well, training well and importantly recovering well.
“We are leaving no stone unturned as we are equal sixth only separated by percentage,” he said.
The Gulls will be looking to a win against Drouin in two weeks’ time. They will want the win to consolidate their position and also as pay back for the defeat they suffered to the Hawks way back in April. But Kidd is not taking anything for granted. “Drouin are playing well at the moment and I am sure it will be a good game.
“I am really looking forward to the last six games, four of them at home,” he said.
This week they will be having a training session with a different code, netball.
Kidd sees it as a bit of fun and an opportunity to bond with the netballers.
Hopefully the defenders won’t strain their calf muscles and they all have their ankles well strapped!
Fifth placed Warragul went down to third placed Moe by just a point on Saturday. The final score was 2-9-21 to 3-2-20. The game was played in torrid conditions with heavy showers and icy winds prevailing for the four quarters. The Gulls trailed the Lions throughout. Sharing the goals were Tim Davine, Harley Nobelius and Scott Kelly.
Best players were William Cole, Tim Davine, Bradley. Nott, Lucas Monacella, Scott Kelly and Michael Lynn.
The Gulls will meet the Hawks on July 15 at home.
They will be hoping to reverse April’s result when the Hawks won by a point.
Warragul’s thirds failed to score a goal going down to Moe 4-10-36 to 7-7.
Best were Mason McGarrity, Ned Tworkowski, Braxton AhMat, Marcus Pintavdi, Bailey Quaite and Aaron Baxter.
The fourths also lost to the Lions 9-13-67 to 6-238.
Goal kickers were Cooper Alger 3, Jake Kallady, Jai Serong and Matthew Boyes 1.
Best for the Gulls were Cooper Alger, Matthew Boyles, Charlie Stern, Jai Serong and Brady Tutton.