Moe holds off determined Wonthaggi

WHILE there was plenty of action off field in Moe in the form of Big Freeze fundraising activities, there was lots happening on the ground in an enthralling contest, with Riley Baldi’s stunning game proving the deciding factor in the Lions’ three-point win over Wonthaggi.

Baldi covered a massive amount of territory throughout the game, gathering the footy all over the field and using it assuredly in a best-on-ground display.

However, despite his imposing presence and the fact the Lions threatened at times to pull away to a sizeable lead, a strong team performance from Wonthaggi ensured that never happened.

Isaac Chugg’s ability to clear defence and push up the ground to put Power into attack again earned him the nod as his side’s best player, something he achieved in the Round 8 win over Drouin.

Noah Anderson continued to present strongly on the lead and slotted a couple of goals for the narrowly beaten side.

Toma Huther engaged in an enthralling ruck contest with Moe’s Chris Prowse, with both men contributing well around the ground.

Shannon Bray was solid as ever deep in defence, thwarting many Moe attacks, with Mitch Hayes taking a number of marks, booting a couple of goals and creating opportunities for teammates.

Jack Blair proved a steady presence whether showing composure in the backline or driving Power into attack, while his brother Jarryd delivered some classy moments.

Moe had the early running in the second term, getting out to a three-goal advantage but Wonthaggi dug in, beginning to get control of possession and patiently working its way forward before displaying determination at a number of stoppages.

That Power tenacity to keep the footy in its forward line paid off when coach Jarryd Blair pounced on the Sherrin after a ruck contest, quickly getting boot to ball for a major and cutting the margin to just a couple of straight kicks.

While Moe quickly hit back through a Harrison Pepper goal, Wonthaggi replied with a couple of its own before a late Moe major pushed the Lions’ advantage out to 13 points at the halfway stage.

Power started the second half brightly with a Cooper McInnes goal after he marked a kick from teammate Anderson that fell short.

That brought Wonthaggi’s deficit back to just seven points and there the margin remained for about the next 10 minutes until Tom Blackshaw won holding the ball for Moe and nailed his set shot.

The seesawing nature of the contest continued when Jarryd Blair marked and delivered an accurate set shot from a few metres inside Powers’ forward arc.

Moe ultimately took a seven-point advantage into the final term.

When play resumed, the Lions again threatened to kick away, booting an early major but Wonthaggi persisted.

That determination was rewarded when Hayes marked overhead and goaled, and his teammate Kaj Patterson booted accurately from a free kick after being dumped in a tackle, Power then trailing by just a couple of points.

Moe soon rose to the challenge, with Ben Daniher quick to get ball to boot for a major that stretched its advantage back beyond a goal.

But Power kept coming, the Lions booting no further majors while Power dribbled one through from the boot of Aiden Lindsay at the 27 minute mark after speedily moving the ball from the other end of the field, with a contest from Anderson helping set up the goal.

Wonthaggi surged forward again from the centre with the Lions initially clearing defence before a shaky back pass almost gifted Power a goal.

A couple of wounded Lions hobbled off late in the quarter but Wonthaggi wasn’t able to score again.

It appeared Jack Blair would have an after the siren shot from long range, seeming to have won a free kick, but the umpires handed the footy to his teammate Brayden Duve who kicked into the leaping man on the mark.

Declan Keilty and Daniher were good for the Lions, while Pepper topped their goal kicking for the game with three majors.

After a challenging day on Moe’s turf, Wonthaggi’s competitive display will ensure it takes confidence to the Tigers’ den for a battle with sixth-placed Morwell that sits one spot ahead of Power, albeit it with a couple more wins.