GIPPY LEAGUE INSIDER
FOOTBALL REVIEW ROUND 1
Footy is back and we are through the first full round of season 2021. A long time has past since our season opener over the Easter weekend where Wonthaggi and Drouin opened the proceedings for 2021. The Power were tipped to be a big mover in 2021 and they bought that straight away piling on six first quarter goals. The match was all but over at half time with Wonthaggi going in 8 goals in front with the Hawks only kicking one major through returning recruit Michael Theodoridis. Wonthaggi eventually ran out 77 point winners with Lachie Ferguson booting 4 majors. Tim Knowles was named the Power’s best with coach and marquee recruit Jarryd Blair opening his goal scoring account with a second quarter snap. Todd Beck was a standout for the Hawks and Bob McCallum dominated the hit outs being named the Hawks second best.
The Gippsland Live match of the round was played at Traralgon the following weekend. The Saturday afternoon clash saw the 2019 runner up Leongatha face off against the Maroons. The Parrot’s are again highly fancied in 2021 but it was Traralgon who struck early with their pressure resulting in the first two goals of the match. Leongatha rallied through some crafty work by Nic Nagel with a soccer off the ground goal followed by an opportunistic bomb from the Puds bar flank. The Maroons showed good signs at times throughout the day but their ball use let them down. The honours were shared in the second term with both sides wasting opportunities. New coach Jake Best took a strong mark and opened his Maroon’s account before half time but it would be limited opportunities after that. Leongatha capitalised on the conditions after half time kicking seven unanswered goals in the third quarter to setup a match winning lead. Tom Marriott picked up where he left off in 2019 with a second straight best on at Traralgon Showgrounds. Kim Drew started well in his new colours with new recruit Luther Juric also impressing. Matt Northe was a standout for the Maroons in a disappointing day.
Traditional rivals Moe and Morwell met at Ted Summerton in the second of the Saturday matches. The Lions rolled out a host of new players from the side that fell just short in the 2019 preliminary final. Both sides were wasteful in the first half with only five goals between them as the Lions took in a five point lead. Morwell base their game on structure and pressure and kept in touch for most of the game. Two late third term goals to Morwell’s young gun Tom Caile saw the Tigers be only five points back at the final change. The experience of the Lions side shone through in the final term as they would put the score on the board and finish the strongest. Three consecutive goals to Moe through Long, Rock and star recruit Kristian Jaksch made it a bridge to far. Jaksch third goal of the day put the Lions 15 points up halfway through the last. Boyd Bailey gave some hope to the Tigers with a goal just into time on that reduced the margin to 10 points but a late gaol to Harri Sim sealed the win for the Lions. Moe finished 11.10-76 to Morwell 7.8-50.
The Red Legs got one of their West Gippsland trips out of the way early and will be full of optimism after coming away with a close win. Always competitive at home, Bairnsdale haven’t been able to secure the wins needed on the road to make the five but 2021 has produced a perfect start. The Gulls started well at home but surrendered their two goal quarter time lead to a two goal half time defeicit. A long delay due to injury in the third term allowed both sides to reset and with the game in the balance it would be the Red Legs that would finish the stronger. Lawless Award favorite Brayden McCarrey booted three for Bairnsdale while 2018 league MVP Simon Deery returning successfully being one of the best on ground. In positive signs for the Gulls Brayden Fowler kicked two goals on his return.
The battle of the birds took place last Sunday at Sale with reigning premier Maffra travelling down the road to face off against their massive rival. The Eagles were arguably the better side in the first half but couldn’t capitalise on a number of scoring opportunities. The Magpies were dominant after the break though keeping the Eagles goalless in the second half while snagging seven of their own. In great news for Sale Jordy Dessent returned from health issues and kicked three majors in a dream first outing. Former Eagle Jack Johnstone was named best for the Magpies with star recruit Shannen Lange also impressive. It was familiar faces leading the charge for the Eagles with Kade Renooy and Dan Bedggood among their best. Sale coming out big winners 10.8-68 to Maffra 3.12-30.
Dan Heathcote
Gippsland League
Last Modified on 15/04/2021 15:33
