Tigers in trouble after Power pounding
If you're a fan of close encounters look away now, as thumping wins were the theme in the first week of the Gippsland League's split round 16.
Indeed, the top teams all flexed their muscles this week, as the race for a double chance in the upcoming finals series gets tighter and tighter. Here's what you may have missed this week.
Wonthaggi vs Morwell
Morwell's finals hopes appear to be in a lot of trouble after the team were forced to cop a walloping from Wonthaggi.
Having let two golden opportunities slip in as many weeks to entrench themselves in fifth position, the Tigers were a long way off it this week as the Power prevailed easily 18.12 (120) to 7.9 (51).
From the very first bounce, it was clear that Wonthaggi, who also had plenty to play for as they continue to try and seal a top three spot, were well on top in just about every facet of the game. They booted six goals to one in a brutally blistering first quarter and never looking back.
Troy Harley and Jack Hutchinson once again proved a deadly duo in the forward half, kicking four goals each for the home side, as Jarryd Blair and Ryan Sparkes were simply awesome in the contest, winning clearance after clearance and ensuring their side had first use all day.
For the Tigers, Brandon Mcauliffe and Burkeley Macfarlane tried all day, while spearhead Brandon McDonald kicked three. But in general their performance resembled that of the Morwell we saw early in the season, rather than the rejuvenated dare fans enjoyed over the past few weeks.
The Tigers' already relatively poor percentage means the scale of the loss isn't too important ladder-wise, but their failure to win any of their past three games has them outside the top five.
Their only salvation is that Maffra, the team they lost their top five spot to last round, meets Leongatha in the second week of the split round next week. Given they are unlikely to win that one, it means the Tigers will still have plenty of reason to hope, assuming the Eagles don't pull off an upset win.
Still, their odds of making it wouldn't be too great at the moment, and in truth there's nobody to blame but themselves.
Traralgon vs Bairnsdale
It must be fun being Brett Eddy.
Or at least that's how it seems after the dynamic forward put in yet another dynamo performance, booting eight goals as his side trampled all over Bairnsdale over the weekend.
Still stinging from letting their thrilling game against Wonthaggi slip into a draw last week, the Maroons took their frustrations out on a helpless Redlegs unit, blowing them away 20.14 (134) to 4.10 (34).
Eddy was everywhere in the forward half for the victors, and was ably supported by wingman Matthew Northe and Tom Schneider, who kicked four and three goals respectively, while Tye Hourigan and the returning Mark Collison were at their best.
They were the standouts among a team of standouts though, as Traralgon largely had their way with Bairnsdale, who succumbed to their second worst loss of the season.
The Redlegs, having been denied a late-season highlight last week after losing to bottom-placed Drouin, appeared demoralised at times during the Maroon mauling.
Nathan Dennison, Simon Deery and Josh Wykes were among the better performers for the visitors, but it mattered little as their side was shown the full might of a team gearing up for finals and desperate to finish inside the top three.
The second half, in particular, was ugly watching for the Redlegs fans that had made the journey. Their side was held to just one goal while the home side, having already clearly put the game to bed, piled on the pain with 10 more.
Thanks to Wonthaggi and Sale both winning their respective games, Traralgon still remains in fourth spot with just two games left. With a blockbuster next week against the Magpies, there'll be a lot to play for as the Maroons look to secure a coveted double chance.
Next week's games (home team listed first)