Moe produced the upset of the TRFM Gippsland League season so far, disposing of last year’s runner up Wonthaggi Power by six points.
For photos from Saturday's clash between Drouin and Maffra, click here.
“The boys were absolutely stoked. We won four games last year and our season opener, but to knock off one of last year’s grand finalists is huge,” Lions coach Adrian Burgiel said.
“It was a really good confidence booster for us … to think we can match it with the top sides.”
The Power led at every change, but, including eight points at three-quarter-time.
However, the home team slammed on six goals to five in the last quarter, and held on to win by a kick.
“We were in the game for most of the day and scores were tight for most of the game,” Burgiel said.
“The boys are up and about. They haven’t had too many victories like that, so hopefully the boys can get some confidence out of it and continue on.”
Last year, Moe won four games and lost three by eight points or less.
“(Wonthaggi) only beat us by eight points at home last year and we thought it we stuck at it, we’d have every chance, and we have,” Burgiel said.
James Blaser was the stand out for Moe in a match, which saw coach Adrian Burgiel and fellow forward Mark Engley boot four apiece.
Adam Cook was best-on-ground for the Power, with five majors.
Power coach Rob Railton said while disappointed with the result, he couldn’t fault his side’s effort and his side had expected a tough hit out.
“Full credit to Moe, they were impressive. It was a big game,” Railton said.
“Even up there last year, they were really good. They just really cracked in and really had a go, and (Saturday) was no exception.
“They were good enough to take their chances when they had them.”
Sale v Traralgon
Traralgon upset Sale to end its 29-game winning streak at home.
The Maroons made it three wins in a row and stormed to second on the ladder, becoming the first team since Leongatha in round 15, 2011, to beat the Magpies on their home turf.
Sale was just two wins away from breaking Maffra’s record of 31-straight wins at home between 2003 and 2006.
“The boys are going well, three in a row now, so it’s been a good start,” Traralgon coach Mark Collison said.
The Maroons got off to a good start with a six-goal-to-three opening term against the Magpies.
“We kind of got a good jump on them in the first quarter, we played OK, but we didn’t play out of our skins,” Collison said.
The visitors slammed on another five majors in the second to lead by 34 points at half-time.
By three-quarter-time, Traralgon’s lead was out to 56 points and it went on to win by 61.
“The heat was out of it after half time,” Collison said.
“We have had a good couple of weeks (and) we seem to be improving each week. We have got to make sure we continue to improve.”
The Maroons are certainly a very different team to the one that was beaten convincingly by Leongatha in round one.
“The boys probably got a bit of a wake up call. It’s the only game, pre-season included, where we have been really down,” Collison said.
Lee Stockdale kicked five for the Maroons, while brothers Michael and Cory were also in on the action.
Cory was named third best, behind Jackson Hall and Collison.
Morwell v Warragul
Morwell made it two in a row under new coach Joel Soutar, disposing of Warragul by 72 points.
The Tigers had the upper hand by just eight points after a hard fought first quarter, but made its mark in the second.
Morwell led by 60 points at half-time and 74 points at three-quarter-time.
The home team took its foot off the pedal in the last quarter, which was won narrowly by Warragul.
For the second week in a row, Mannon Johnston was among Morwell’s best with a bag of five goals.
However, top honours went to Michael “Chunky” Duncan, in his second game since his premature retirement in round two, prior to the sacking of former coach Dean Warren.
Leongatha v Bairnsdale
Ladder leader Leongatha took its unbeaten run to four, with a big win against Bairnsdale.
The visitor matched it with its opponent in the first, and trailed the bigger-bodied Parrots by just a kick at quarter-time.
The home team took control in the second, booting five goals to two, to lead by 24 points at half-time.
By three-quarter-time, the margin was out to 42 points with Leongatha eventually running out a 58-point winner.
Cade Maskell booted a bag of seven for the home team, while at the other end James Gibbs top-scored for the Redlegs with six.
Drouin v Maffra
Drouin conceded its second loss in as many weeks, this time at the hands of Maffra.
There was 50 points in it at three-quarter-time, ahead of a high scoring last term.
Maffra maintained the upper hand with a six-goal-to-four last quarter to run out a 57-point winner.
Darren Sheen booted five, however it was midfielder and former Gippsland League best and fairest, Kelvin Porter who was named best-on-ground.
Hawks coach Bob McCallum led by example as Drouin’s best, in a performance that also included three majors.
Sean Proctor also slotted three, while Josh Seri impressed for the second week in a row with two goals.
Last Modified on 04/05/2015 13:01
