Warragul falls just short in push for finals
There was no fairy-tale for Warragul on Saturday.
The injury-riddled Gulls put up a courageous showing in going down by three points, 15-12 to 159, to Bairnsdale at Western Park and finished the season one place out of the final “five”.
The bounce of the ball didn’t go Warragul’s way either at Traralgon where the Maroons defeated Morwell. They had to lose to give Warragul a chance of claiming 5th spot.
The Gulls fought tenaciously against Bairnsdale with key players captain Tom Muir, vice-captain Sam Russell and key forward Brayden Fowler out of the action for almost half of the match.
Muir and Fowler both suffered knee injuries and will have scans early this week to determine their seriousness and Russell limped off with a hamstring injury.
They added to an already depleted line-up with Tyssen Morrow, Michael Coombes and Mitch Nobelius sidelined with injuries and Tom Kelly and Matt Ross unavailable.
It was quick, free flowing football from the start and by half time the Gulls had their noses in front 9-5 to 7-6.
The unlucky Muir’s injury just before half time might have deflated the side.
It looked that way when Bairnsdale took charge after the break and by midway through the final term led by as much as four goals.
But Warragul didn’t lie down and pushed for victory right to the siren.
Coach Steve Kidd, his last game in charge of the team after four years, was proud with how the players fought out the contest against the odds.
The Gulls had plenty of wholehearted contributors.
Heading that list, as they’ve done for much of the year, were on-ballers Nate Paredes and Kim Drew along with key defender Matt Rennie.
James Davidson, Jack Deen and ruckman Jake Hortstman were just some of the others that gave 100 per cent from start to finish.
Fowler kicked three goals before injury forced him from the ground.
Paredes and Luke Di Ciero also got three goals, youngster Mason McGarrity kicked two and singles were scored by Davidson, Nic Stevenson, Sam Whibley and Dylan Proctor.
RESERVES The Gulls’ reserves bye at the weekend was a great chance to take stock and freshen up for next Sunday’s elimination final.
They will play Leongatha at Morwell on Sunday.
JUNIORS Bairnsdale junior sides, strong premiership contenders, had too many guns for Warragul.
The Gulls’ fourths took the game right up to the top of the ladder opposition for a half but faded to go down 11-14 to 4-5.
The better players were Matthew Boyles, Charlie Stern, Jai Serong, Matthew Pecoraro, Connor Ives and Cooper Alger.
Jake Kallady kicked two goals and Will Hatfield and Damian Handley one each.
The thirds were defeated 13-21 to 0-3.
Best on Saturday were Thomas Baum, Marcus Pintaudi, Rhys Chambers, Cooper Robbins, Darcy Norton and Daniel Coates.