Tigers take Power out with last quarter surge

APART from a minute and a half burst at the start of the last quarter when Morwell turned a three-point deficit into a nine-point lead with two lightning goals, there was nothing between Wonthaggi Power and Morwell at Wonthaggi on Saturday.

But in the end, that was enough, and Morwell came away with a hard-fought 12-point win in what looks set to be an even competition for the teams between second and ninth on the ladder, where the Power now sits, winless after three games, two of which they might have won against Warragul and now Morwell.

There was nothing to choose between the sides in the first quarter, with the onballers of both sides evenly matched, and Toma Huther and Charlie Burr having a good contest in the ruck.
Morwell ran the ball well, creating chances up forward but Wonthaggi’s defenders including Fergus O’Connor, Josh Schulz, Shannon Bray, Jakeb Thomas and co were holding up well and returning serve.

Both teams finished with three apiece and it was game on at the first break.

It was tight and tough between the arcs in the second quarter with Morwell able to eke out two goals to the Power’s nil.

Power pressed up early in the second quarter with Noah Anderson missing a gettable chance and Blake Cornelis kicking long for a point but it was Morwell’s Riley Loprese who got the first after a 50 metre penalty.

The Power was let off soon after when Tyler Hillier missed on the run but they should have made them pay up the other end when Hunter Tiziani missed a sitter.

Josh Bates, Adam Pugh and the coach, Jarryd Blair back in for his first game combined well without luck up forward and Jaxon Williams was defending well but the Power simply couldn’t break through trailing by 9 points at the long break.

Wonthaggi had their best quarter in the third, kicking three goals to one and looked to have set themselves up for a good finish but it was Morwell which shifted into gear with those early goals after the restart, ultimately kicking three goals to one in the final quarter to emerge worthy winners.

Cooper McInnes played something of a lone hand up forward, constantly on the lead and on the move, despite some close checking by his opponent, to finish with four for the day but the Power lacked other avenues to goal.

They were competitive through the midfield with Isaac Chugg and Jakeb Thomas offering drive and direction, the defenders as usual were well organised and sure of their roles, but there was no obvious plan of attack within the forward 50, outside of McInnes, and little contribution to the scoring from the onballers.

The good news is the evenness of the competition, and with a few tweaks, and some games under their belts, the Power is thereabouts, with every chance to make an impact in 2024.