Classy top teams score big wins
It wasn’t a week for fans of close affairs in round two of the Gippsland League, as the top teams showed their class and strength.
Outside of Warragul’s stunning draw with Wonthaggi, the average margin of the other four games was a gargantuan 78 points, showing that there appears to be a gulf in class between the league’s best and worst sides.
In what ended up being the closest win a team had in round two, Maffra started slowly before overwhelming Bairnsdale by 53 points.
Bairnsdale, playing in one of the Gippsland League’s most intimidating away match-ups against the Eagles, started the contest extremely well, kicking 6.10 to Maffra’s 5.6 in the first half to take a 10 point lead into the main break.
If not for some poor goalkicking, it could have been an even larger lead for the away side, who had five more scoring shots for the half than their well-regarded opponents.
Whatever Maffra coach Anthony Robbins said to his charges at half time seemed to work wonders however, as the Eagles completely took over the contest to boot 14 goals to four in the second half to run away with the match.
Once again led up forward by the deadly duo of Daniel Bedggood (five goals) and Mitchell Bennett (four goals), Maffra ultimately found more ways to score than their plucky opponents, who will take some confidence out of a first half performance that showed their best can match it with the top teams.
Still, it was another case of a wasted opportunity for the Redlegs, who also held a half time lead last week against Morwell before letting it slip.
A match against fellow winless side Sale awaits next round, as Bairnsdale hopes to open their account sooner rather than later.
Best on for Maffra were Bedggood, Kade Renooy, Tom Thatcher, James Read, Danny Butcher and Hudson Holmes, while Bairnsdale’s best were Tyran Rees, Randall Stewart, Kieran Vickery, Josh Wykes and Logan Austin.
Moe handled local rival Morwell with ease, the Lions dominating from the opening bounce to run away 71 point winners.
A six goal performance from small forward Harrison Pepper, backing up his five goal effort last week, was the highlight from Moe as they showed their intent early, kicking 4.4 to just the one behind in the first quarter.
The second quarter proved to be closer, with the Lions kicking five more goals to the Tigers three to take a 44 point lead into the half time break.
With high calibre players such as Brock Smith and Matthew Barrand running hot, the second half played out in predictable fashion as the young Tigers couldn’t keep up with the bigger bodies of the Lions midfielders.
Morwell will be hoping to bounce back next round in the ANZAC clash against Traralgon, while Moe will face a real test against fellow contender Maffra.
Best on for the Tigers were Cody Macdonald, Dan Musil, Riley Loprese, James Jacobsen, Brandon McDonald and Sam Walsh.
Moe’s best were Barrand, Smith, Pepper, Grady Cocksedge, Riley Baldi and Ben Daniher.
Sale continued their disappointing start to the season, failing to match Leongatha’s best as they lost 6.6 (42) to 15.19 (109).
The Magpies, considered in the pre-season to be a chance for this year’s flag, showed some positive signs early against this year’s premiership fancy, but were absolutely blown away in a second half that saw the Parrots slam home nine goals to the Magpies’ two.
Led by an excellent performance from exGold Coast Sun Jack Leslie, Sale made an early impression to take a three point lead into quarter time.
A four goal to one second term from Leongatha, however, turned the tide of the game, and if the 19 point half time lead remained within reach, the Parrots six goal to zero third term put the game well and truly to bed.
With a strong midfield performance from Tom Marriott, as well as the sure touch of Cade Maskell off half back, Leongatha looked as strong as ever as they put their opponents to the sword.
The forward lines of the two sides also proved to be a point of difference, as while Leongatha had five players kick multiple goals, Sale could only manage individual goalkickers as they struggled to find consistent avenues to goal.
Sale’s best were Jack Leslie, Will Leslie, Lachlan Todd, Cooper Whitehill, Jackson Glenane and Jonty McGuiness, while for Leongatha Maskell, Marriott, Will Littlejohn, Aaron Hillberg, Cameron Stone and Jack Hume were the top performers.