More photos from Wonthaggi Power v Maffra

FOR three quarters, the match between Wonthaggi Power and Maffra, played on the bowling-green smooth surface of the Maffra Showgrounds, was as good a match of country footy as you’d ever want to see.
It had a couple of dominant forwards at both ends, Wonthaggi’s Troy Harley, who finished with a record-equalling seven goals by a Power player against Maffra, and Tom Jolly for the Eagles who got four.
Two terrific ruckmen, Wonthaggi’s Toma Huther (32 hit-outs, 15 possessions) in a ding-dong battle with Maffra legend Will Pleming (24 hit-outs).
Plenty of great marks, fierce contests, and thrilling passages of play.
Two well-matched midfields boasting the likes of Ryan Sparkes (29 possessions), Aiden Lindsay (26), Jarryd Blair (20 possessions, most after half time) and Mitch Hayes (18); opposed to Danny Butcher, Edward Carr, Alex Carr and Lachlan Channing.
Two opposing styles with Maffra using quick hands and breakaway pace to attack and Wonthaggi playing the pressure game front and back to create their opportunities.
And when Maffra went end-to-end halfway through the third quarter to hit the front, the ninth lead change of the day, no one saw what was coming in the last quarter; a 52-point blowout in the Power’s favour.
But a couple of turning points, after Jolly produced Maffra’s ninth goal, changed the complexion of the game and once again it was Wonthaggi’s pressure which made the difference.
In the final minutes of that third quarter, Wonthaggi charged back into the ascendency with three goals, two of them in disastrous circumstances for the host club.
Darcy Brosnan, back into the Seniors and likely to hold his spot after a great game, hit Troy Harley laces out to put the Power back in front. Then two terrible defensive mix-ups by Maffra, in Wonthaggi’s scoring zone, resulted in two more.
Great awareness by young Jaxon Williams, intercepting a low, Eagles’ kick-out from defence, saw him gather up the ball and run into an open goal.
And, less than a minute later, Travis Krause smothered a defensive kick by Maffra full back James Huts, and Troy Harley was there to pounce, returning the favour to Krause who strolled in for another.
You could see the Maffra heads drop after what had been a draining contest where every score was hard earned, and Wonthaggi went to the break as 13-point leaders.
It was a chance for everyone to catch their breath after three thrilling quarters, but Power coach Jarryd Blair wasted no time calling his players in from their respective groups to stress the importance of the first few minutes of the last quarter.
“This is about desperation and doing the basic things well. These next few minutes are crucial. We got those goals out of pressure and we’ve got to bring that again. Force yourself to get involved, force yourself down the line as an option. Come on,” said Blair as they broke quickly.
And they brought it right out of the first centre break with Huther setting Blair himself on the way, driving the ball forward. Aiden Lindsay, Brosnan, Sparkes, Noah and Flynn Anderson, Harry Dawson, Kyle Reid; they all responded.
The Power peppered the scoring zone but ultimately the goals started to come; Aiden Lindsay still running after a gruelling contest, found Harley in space, and after great led-up work by Harry Dawson, Harley marked on the lead again and made no mistake with his sixth.
Bray, who had been terrific down back, Krause and Sparkes then went coast-to-coast to find Harley again for his seventh; three in-a-row to start the last quarter as they broke the game open.
Others followed, including Lindsay again turning on the afterburners for a solo goal, and while Maffra pulled one back through Tom Thatcher, it was all Wonthaggi in an impressive display of fitness and commitment in the run to the line.
It probably helps when you’ve got nine players under 21 in your team, led by plenty of talent and experience at the top end.
Wonthaggi might have been missing the likes of Jack Blair, Fergus O’Connor, Jordan Staley and Tom Murray but they have unearthed some fine young players, set to stand the club in good stead this season, and the years to come.
The game was a must-win with Sale, Traralgon and Morwell all in-form and pushing for a ‘top three’ spot. Wonthaggi hosts one of those contenders, Traralgon, at Wonthaggi this Saturday.
Final scores: Wonthaggi 17.17.119 def Maffra 10.7.67.

Thrills and spills for Power netballers

WONTHAGGI Power netballers retained their position in the ‘top five’ of the Gippsland League A Grade competition with a comprehensive 57 to 35 victory over 8th-placed Maffra on Saturday.
They put their stamp of authority on the game from the outset with a 15 to 7 opening term and continued on from there, forcing turnovers in defence, dominating the mid-court and with Courtney Brann right on target, well supported by Courtney Young and Jess McRae.
The Gippsland Isuzu UTE Player of the Day was Zahli Anderson who took home the $50 Harvey Norman voucher.
But the win wasn’t without its concerns after Wing Defence Olivia Gilmour collided heavily with a teammate, both going for the ball, and copping a very heavy head knock as she hit the ground.
The match had to be stopped while all precautions were taken.
Olivia was reportedly concussed and spent the night in hospital but was back home on Sunday having avoided any of the more serious outcomes.
There were ups and downs on the day elsewhere too for Power, featuring a thrilling come-from-behind win in the 17 and Unders and a narrow loss in the Under 13s; an important result between the 4th and 5th teams.
Power was well beaten in B Grade, C Grade and Under 15s.
But the Under 17s produced the match of the day, trailing by 2 at the last change after a slow start.
Maffra and Wonthaggi played entertaining end-to-end netball but ultimately it was Power which put their noses in front before the final siren.
Final scores
A Grade Maffra 35 lost to Wonthaggi 57. B Grade Maffra 54 def Wonthaggi 34. C Grade Maffra 45 def Wonthaggi 24. Under 17s Maffra 35 lost to Wonthaggi 36. Under 15s Maffra 47 def Wonthaggi 29. Under 13s Maffra 39 def Wonthaggi 34.