Reserves outmuscled in tough conditions
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Warragul’s reserves have been outmuscled in wet conditions over the weekend, going down to Traralgon by 35 points.
The Gulls just couldn’t find consistent ways to score as they lost 5.2 (32) to 9.13 (67).
As the weather made skilful play difficult, the game became a territory battle and it was the Maroons that adjusted better, locking the ball in their forward half for large stretches of the game.
Warragul struggled to find consistent targets up forward, as all of their goals were from individual goalkickers whereas Traralgon had three players kick multiple goals.
Six goals to three in the first half saw the Maroons take a 20-point lead into the main break, and they never looked like relinquishing it as they increased their lead at every break to run away with the game.
Warragul’s best were Brayden Notman, Lucas Monacella, Leigh Sheehan, Tim Webster, Nathan Whitten and Patrick Carpenter.
Best on for Traralgon were Troy Forrest, Jeremy Morgan, William Broadbent, Ewan Williams, Tom Said and and Baxter Kennedy.
In other reserves results, Moe won a thriller over Bairnsdale 8.7 (55) to 7.9 (51), Leongatha thumped Morwell 15.7 (97) to 1.6 (12), Wonthaggi beat Maffra 6.4 (40) to 2.2 (14) and Drouin had to forfeit to Sale.
Drouin’s thirds have just fallen short of an incredible comeback, losing to Sale by 10 points.
Trailing by 36 at three quarter time, the Hawks came close to snatching an unlikely victory before going down 9.5 (59) to 10.9 (69).
Before that stage, the Hawks looked out of the contest, having conceded eight goals in the middle two quarters while only kicking two of their own.
But a last quarter charge, led by a five-goal game to Benjamin Brasier, saw the Hawks put on five goals to one to come close, but not close enough.
Finn Stephenson kicked six for the home side, who now have claimed their first win for the season.
The game was unfortunately marred by a late-game brawl that saw a Drouin player sent to hospital with head and neck injuries after allegedly being struck by a Sale player and briefly knocked unconscious.
The Drouin player suffered concussion but was cleared of any extensive damage.
The Sale player has been charged with striking and will face the tribunal later this week.
Drouin’s best were Cody Fleming, Aaron Mitchell, Ethan Busse, Trent Fritzlaff and Eli Bracken, while Sale’s best were Finn Stephenson, Mason Annear, Lakshay Panwar, James Westman, Jack Jones and Jason Brown.
In other results, Moe held off Bairnsdale 12.7 (79) to 11.8 (74), Leongatha won a thriller over Morwell 6.4 (40) to 5.6 (36), Maffra defeated Wonthaggi 8.14 (62) to 5.5 (35) and Warragul had to forfeit against Traralgon.
Drouin’s fourths enjoyed a solid win over Sale, prevailing by 27 points.
In a battle between two of the league’s winless sides, the Hawks used a powerful second half to run away 11.9 (75) to 7.6 (48) victors.
A relatively even first half saw Drouin take a slender five-point lead into half time, before a five goal to two second half saw them ease to their first win of the season.
Zachary McMillan kicked four for the visitors, who earned a much-needed win to get their season rolling.
Best on for Drouin were Zachary McMillan, Charlie Stone, Noah Ridsdale, Clancy Pope, Zach Bambridge and Thomas Mapleson.
Sale’s best were Samuel Elvin, Maddix Malone, Harry Tatterson, Luca Centra and Nicholas Rand.
In other results, Warragul went down to Traralgon 7.7 (49) to 11.4 (70), Bairnsdale thrashed Moe 13.13 (91) to 1.5 (11), Leongatha beat Morwell 10.8 (68) to 4.2 (26) and Maffra had the bye.