IT SEEMS only a couple of weeks ago that Wonthaggi made the big trip to Bairnsdale and found a worthy opponent on their own home ground, with the Redlegs right into the contest, at least until half time.
It was actually way back on May 13 and Wonthaggi Power went on to have a strong 74-point win at the start of a couple of months of escalating contests.
However, while the Power seniors had a good win at Bairnsdale, the Wonthaggi Reserves suffered an important defeat, in the context of their season, but they won’t want to see that repeated at home this Saturday.
The Wonthaggi Reserves are sitting in fifth place on the ladder, equal on 9 wins and 5 losses with Traralgon and Moe above them, and also Sale in sixth place below them.
The Power boys will want to secure the win first on Saturday, and then push on, if they can, to boost their percentage in the hope of getting out of the drop zone ahead of the approaching finals.
The Power’s game against Bairnsdale, in the reserves, is one of the most important in the context of the finals, of those featuring the two local clubs, in the Gippsland League, with Leongatha expected to win against Morwell, and likewise, Wonthaggi having bigger fish to fry, and also expected to win well in their respective senior games, both clubs at home.
Leongatha will be close to full strength when they host the Tigers, with Cameron Olden back in and most of the usuals in place, although important forward Jack Hume is missing, as is useful defender Will Littlejohn. It’s noticeable, as well, that Josh Hopkins has been selected in the Leongatha Reserves on Saturday, after some doubt about his return after holidaying overseas.
A fit and motivated Hopkins could be an x-factor for Leongatha over the next month, as they apply the finishing touches to their best 22 ahead of the finals.
Morwell is still in finals calculations and they have developed something of a reputation for making a late run at the finals, so Leongatha won’t want to take the match lightly.
Wonthaggi has a very stable look to the side that will run out against Bairnsdale on Saturday, although coach Jarryd Blair has managed himself out this week, opting to have a look at his charges from the coach’s box.
Elsewhere in the Gippsland League, Traralgon hosts Moe in what should provide another pointer to Moe’s preparations.
