Warragul gets over Tigers in close finish
A gritty Warragul desperately held off a spirited last quarter challenge from Morwell at Western Park on Saturday for its second win in the past three games.
Although goalless in the last quarter Warragul had just enough up its sleeve to claim a six-point win at the siren in a low-scoring game in fine conditions, 8-7 to 77.
The Gulls went into the last term with a 22-point lead but had to draw on all it had to keep out Morwell that kicked three of its seven goals in a push for a come from behind victory.
The Tigers made the most of few opportunities late in the game despite Warragul controlling possession but unable to find a way to hit the scoreboard.
Warragul led at each of the changes in a match dominated by defences and hard contests around the ball.
Neither team allowed their opponents many opportunities to develop free-flowing movement of the ball.
It was the Gulls’ second win for the year and both have been nailbiters for its supporters – a onepoint win at Leongatha before Saturday.
The inclusion of Luke Tynan from Casey Demons VFL side for his first game with Warragul proved more than helpful, especially with his experience when the game was in the balance.
Tynan started on the ball but was swung into defence where 150 plus games experience at VFL level was a major influence in the result.
Matt Rennie, best on ground, and Kim Drew showed no illeffects from their travels to Cohuna the previous week to represent Gippsland League in the inter-league clash to head the Gulls’ best players.
But their inter-league counterpart Nick Stevenson, who started impressively, suffered multi-breaks to a cheekbone to join a long list of Gulls who probably can write off their seasons.
Rennie was a rock in defence and Drew was his usual hard at ball at the contests.
Warragul got away to a promising start with 2-1 to nil in the first term.
The lead was trimmed to 10 points – 4-2 to 2-4 – but the Gulls got the upper hand in the third term with four goals to lead by 22 points. In the end it was just enough. Coach Ben Hughes’ three goals may, on the surface, not look like a “big bag” but it was in the context of a low scoring game.
And he provided plenty for the side, as well as leadership, in the “clutch” moments.
Tom Kelly’s two goals also proved invaluable.
Kelly has been given a broader role this year and is returning some dividends for the side.
Mitch Nobelius is also having a good season, was again among the best on Saturday and kicked one of the side’s hard-earned goals.
As did the always dangerous Matt Ross and Drew, who rarely fails to hit the scoreboard.
Sam Whibley continued his fine season, his ruck work giving the ground level players the chance to get first possession.
Warragul will be at home again next Saturday for a game against Traralgon that takes on greater importance than what a clash between the bottom two on the ladder usually would be.
The Gulls aren’t thinking finals – especially with long term injuries to several key players – but are only one win short of a share of fifth place.
They are hopeful that Tynan, coming back from injury, may be available again from Casey to take on Traralgon.
Traralgon has only one win but would not have given up hope of finals if they get a bit of luck and a number of injured players back on the ground and can get over the line in “close ones”; it has been well in contention in four its five losses.