Young Gulls fall just short of miracle comeback
Going into the fourth quarter of their qualifying final against Maffra, Warragul's fourths looked dead in the water. Trailing by 35 points and having kicked just three goals for the game, any reasonable viewer would have written off their chances entirely.
Clearly the Gulls didn't get the message though, as they suddenly roared to life to drag themselves back into the game. It wasn't quite enough, however, with the final siren sounding with Warragul just one point shy of an incredible comeback as they lost 8.10 (58) to 8.9 (57).
Prior to that point, however, most of the game had been played on the Eagles' terms. The Gulls were unable to get the ball forward with any great purpose for much of the day, and when they did the Maffra defenders were able to reign supreme in the air.
The first three quarters almost settled into a sort of rhythm for the most part, where Maffra dominated the territorial game, creating inside 50 after inside 50. And either they would score, usually through Jayke Andrews who finished his day with five goals, or the ball would eventually rebound only to end up marked by a Maffra defender.
It meant the Gulls could manage just one goal in each of the first three terms, while the Eagles had put on eight.
At the beginning of the final term, however, it was clear something had changed.
Jasper Alger took a great contested grab and slotted the set shot. Charlie MacLean marked and goaled.
Alger kicked another from a high contact free kick. Suddenly, after looking totally unable to score freely for most of the game, the Gulls were scoring a goal with nearly every entry into their forward 50. Alger in particular was the most influential forward for his side, often playing one-on-two or sometimes even three and still looking threatening.
Lachlan Gilliam and Alby Phillips were also kicking into gear as they suddenly outworked their Maffra opponents, who appeared to be out on their feet.
With half the quarter gone the Gulls were now trailing by just 16 points. At this stage however Maffra, who had been unable to even touch the ball for the quarter, were able to get some possession and kill some time.
When Isaac Kittelty slotted another for the Gulls on the run, it left them with three and a half minutes for two goals. Alger soon thought he had brought it back to under a goal just moments later, but was cruelly denied after the goal umpire called it as touched.
Warragul would manage that goal to bring the margin to one, but only after more time had been taken away, leaving them just 26 seconds to get the ball forward and score. Ultimately though the clock got the better of them, leaving Maffra with the victory despite having not scored for the entire final term.
The Gulls were mere seconds away from one of the greatest comebacks of the year, though they will now have to regroup for next week, where they will face Leongatha in a sudden death semi final. Warragul won both of their previous encounters this season, meaning they'll be entering as warm favourites, particularly if they can show the fight they showed in the last quarter.
One thing's for sure though, no matter how bad any of their games look from here on out, they'll believe they're always a chance.
Drouin's fourths were not so lucky in their own final though, as their season came to an end against Leongatha.
Playing for their survival, the Hawks were more than up to the task in the first half, but were simply blown away by a third quarter burst from the Parrots as they fell 9.9 (63) to 13.11 (89).
Just a week after losing to Leongatha in the last round of the home-andaway season, the Hawks looked to be on a mission in the early stages of the game, matching the Parrots in the contest and making it count on the scoreboard.
Brodie Atkins and Zachary Mcmillan were doing their usual thing for Drouin, and by half time the scores were totally even, with the game being delicately poised.
The third term, however, was where the game was lost for Drouin, as they conceded six goals to two, allowing the Parrots to blow the game wide open. In particular the Hawks were helpless to stop Leongatha's Zavier Lamers, who booted six goals to drag his side across the line.
Drouin certainly weren't left wanting for effort in the final term, but the margin proved to be too much as they were knocked out of the finals.
Despite the loss, the club will certainly be happy with how their youth if progressing, given both their under 18s and under 16s sides made finals. Given the rebuilding nature of the senior side, they'll be hoping it bodes well for the future.