Why Sale’s draw did Wonthaggi Power no favours

THE Gippsland Football Netball League season is set for a thrilling finish after a sensational result on Saturday that no one saw coming.

Before Saturday’s penultimate round of matches, the obvious scenario for Wonthaggi, who had won their way into the top five only a week earlier after seven wins in nine games, was to beat Drouin at Drouin and for Morwell to beat Sale at Morwell thereby securing Wonthaggi their finals action in September.

But, in a season that has already had dozens of twists and turns, Sale had other ideas.

After trailing for most of the day, the Pies took the lead late when Mitch Dowse hit the loose ball, “out-the-back” of the centre square, took a couple of bounces and slotted through one of the best running goals in that context that you’d ever hope to see.

Three minutes later Morwell responded with a great switch of play out of the backline with Brandon McDonald, Brandon Mcauliffe and finally Tyler Brown combining well for the answer. It was 87 points all but there was still more drama to be played out.

Brad Dessent didn’t make the distance from 40 metres out a few minutes later, Morwell’s danger man Brandon McDonald was one out close to goal but gave away a free and then Sale coach Jack Johnston found Cody Henness directly in front.

As he was walking in to take the shot, the siren sounded, and whether that was a distraction or not, he missed the lot from 25 metres out and the game was a draw.

The result hurt Wonthaggi Power, who won comfortably against Drouin, as much as it did little to secure the positions of Sale or Morwell in the final five.

Now the road to the finals is a winding, potentially potholed path that could see anyone of the three contenders; Sale, Morwell or Wonthaggi take the final place.

On paper, Sale has possibly the easiest task of the three, playing Bairnsdale at Sale but last time out, Bairnsdale thumped the Magpies by 10 goals and while they were soundly beaten by top team Leongatha last Saturday, there was still a lot to like about the Bairnsdale defence led by captain Logan Austin and the on-ball brigade featuring big Ethan East, with Will Mitchell and co.

Don’t count Bairnsdale out of that one.

The two feature matches of the final round; Wonthaggi hosting Moe and old rivals Traralgon versus Morwell at Traralgon, could not have been scripted better.

Wonthaggi simply must win against second-placed Moe which will be no easy task. It’s a finals’ contest but coming one week early.

If they win, the equation is simple, they stay in fourth place.

If they don’t win, either one of the following results will see them slip out of the finals’ race; fifth-placed Morwell beating 3rd-placed Traralgon, not at all out of the question after a sensational draw between the two earlier in the year, or Sale turning the tables on Bairnsdale, which would also not be a surprise on their own home ground.

So, it’s all set up for a thrilling finale to the home and away season in the Gippsland League, fitting after such an even season, but coming as no comfort to the fans and players still full of hope for what 2024 might bring.

Gippsland netball

Gippsland League netball could be set for an equally thrilling finale as Bairnsdale makes a late run for the finals in A Grade, potentially at the expense of fifth-placed Wonthaggi who need to beat the undefeated, top side Moe next Saturday to be sure of a place in the finals.

Bairnsdale sixth play ninth-placed Sale and their task looks a lot easier.

Last Saturday, Bairnsdale got the win over Leongatha by six after a highly competitive match controlled at various stages by both teams.

Bairnsdale threatened to run away with it halfway through the second quarter but the Leongatha goalers Mikaeli Hilliar and Kate Browne found their range in windy conditions and the Parrots cut a six-point spread to just one goal by half time, 35-34.

The effort may have taken its toll however, and Bairnsdale set up what looked to be a winning break in the third quarter with Paris Dunkley in charge in midcourt and Alison Dwyer in the key defence role combining well with her co-conspirators to force plenty of turnovers.

Lauren Redpath was just as effective down back for Leongatha and Nicola Marriott was constantly the moving option but the 16-11 scoreline for the third quarter told the tale of the day with Leongatha sticking close but unable to cut the lead in the run to the line.

A great game but one in which you’d have to say Bairnsdale had the edge for most of the day.

Drouin were simply too good for Wonthaggi on the day, winning each quarter against a never-say-die Power team that must now steel themselves for the toughest challenge in Gippsland netball right now, beating the highly talented Moe team next Saturday to stay in the finals’ race.

Wonthaggi’s C Grade has an important match as well on Saturday, hoping to defeat Moe to grab a last-gasp place in the finals. Fifth-placed Traralgon face second-placed Morwell to stay in the finals race so a win by the Wonthaggi C Grade girls might be a nice consolation if the Power As can’t make it.

Likewise, the Power Under 15s will be doing their best 4th placed Moe in the hope of making the finals but their rivals for fifth, Maffra have an easier task against Warragul and would be favoured to stay in by percentage.