Sport Football

Weekend footy: Wonthaggi hosts ‘match of the day’ again

YOU can’t rest on your laurels in the Gippsland League at the moment and hot from a sensational performance at Maffra last Saturday, Wonthaggi Power finds themselves in the ‘Match of the Day’ again at home this Saturday. Traralgon have lost...

by Michael Giles

Published July 22, 2022

Weekend footy: Wonthaggi hosts ‘match of the day’ again — Wonthaggi Power's playing coach Jarryd Blair expects another finals-like challenge against third-placed Traralgon at Wonthaggi on Saturday.

Fifth-placed Wonthaggi Power face a season-defining challenge against fourth-placed Traralgon this Saturday.

Traralgon have lost only two games since they defeated Wonthaggi by four points back in Round 6 – losing to arch-rivals Morwell three weeks ago, a result that can go either way regardless of ladder positions.

And they had an honourable loss to top team Leongatha in Round 10, by just three points.

So, with Brett Eddy on fire last week with six goals and Wonthaggi going in without the man most likely to cover Eddy, Dean McRae, missing with a hamstring injury sustained early in last week’s cracker of a match against Maffra, it’s going to be a real challenge.

But Wonthaggi coach Jarryd Blair said these are exactly the sorts of games you need, four weeks out from the finals.

“Yes, it’s another chance to see where we’re at in another final’s type game which is what you want leading into the finals,” said the Power coach.

“We’re just that half-a-game ahead of the next two so it’s one of those eight-point games which are really important.”

Leongatha is on top of the ladder with 14 wins from 14 games, but the next four are close; Wonthaggi 2nd on 38 points, Traralgon 3rd on 36, Sale 4th on 36 and Morwell 5th on 32.

Blair acknowledged that Traralgon were an inform side with a potent forward line, led by Brett Eddy, who was likely to pose a danger throughout on Saturday.

Wonthaggi have made three changes, all of them enforced.

Kyle Reid goes back to the Port Melbourne seniors this week, with the club’s blessing, after an excellent body of work for Power over the past month, content in the knowledge that he is already qualified to play Gippsland League finals and Port is well down the list, in 16th and unlikely to play VFL finals.

Power will also be missing Dean McRae (hamstring) and Josh Schulz (on leave).

But they have several good inclusions in Fergus O’Connor and Tom Davey, also with Jakeb Thomas available again after a late withdrawal last week.

His absence cleared the way for Darcy Brosnan, who played his part in the victory away at Maffra.

The match at Wonthaggi shapes as another cracker.

Leongatha travels to Warragul and should win, but Warragul has surprised a couple of sides this season with their inconsistent form and could be a danger at home for an unprepared team, especially if Jed Lamb gets off the chain.

Leongatha will welcome back Cade Maskell and Justin Pellicano after injury and have had a few other changes enforce on them in what continues to be a challenging season despite the ‘undefeated’ headline.

In other games; Morwell hosts Maffra and Sale plays Moe, with some interest in the Bairnsdale versus Drouin game up at Bairnsdale City Oval.

Mid Gippsland finals on the line

With only four weeks of home and away football remaining before finals, there’s still plenty of scenarios as to how the top six might unfold, but for some sides their destiny may well be decided earlier rather than later.

Mid Gippsland Publicity Officer, Rob Popplestone considers the possibilities:

Fish Creek v MDU: Stranger things have probably happened than the possibility of Fish Creek stealing a spot in the MGFNL top six, but I can't think of one just at the moment, however if the Kangaroos do what is expected and beat MDU this weekend, then all of a sudden, what seemed like an impossibility, would change to unlikely but still possible, if they continue to win week after week in the last rounds of the home and away season. John Danckert, Fish Creek coach: "We have enormous motivation heading into this week against MDU." The Kangaroos have been finding a way to win as each challenge presents and this week will be another hurdle for the home side. Peter Davies, MDU coach: "This week we travel to Terrill Park for the first time in a while. No doubt Fishy will be keen to get the points this time so we will need to make sure we improve a few things at training this week to give ourselves a chance." The dream can continue for Fish Creek on the back of another win, a loss however will have them stopped dead in their tracks, and you get the feeling that the Demons are more than happy to see that happen.
Hill End v Yinnar: Hill End have faced their own pressures on quite a few occasions this year, but can this week, transfer the pressure from them to their opponents by claiming a victory on their own home ground. Yinnar have lost at least a handful of games this season by less than a goal, yet on their day, have the ability to beat the very best teams in the competition. That all said, if the Magpies drop yet another game this week at the hands of a better than average Rovers’ side, their chances of a finals’ appearance will also be dramatically affected. Daniel Taylor, Yinnar coach: "Put the injuries aside, if you can't follow simple instructions, can't hit a target and refuse to man up then you won't win many games of footy. Hill End this week is another big game, they clearly outplayed us a few weeks back so we have to come to play." Essentially, the Rovers have the potential to kill off a very dangerous opponent's season this week when they clash with the Magpies and that sort of motivation drives Rovers coach Mike Santo. The fact is there are probably eight, maybe even nine sides that might warrant a finals appearance in a month's time, but to earn that right, there is no excuse for not winning games like this.
Newborough v Foster: Newborough may well believe that having beaten the top of the table, Tarwin, just a week earlier, the challenge of Foster may not require the same preparation, attitude, attack on the ball, discipline, concentration and selflessness, but they would be wrong. Foster have managed to fly just under the radar in recent months despite their fourth placing on the League ladder, and the Tigers would also be well aware that victory against Newborough might also have them vying for an unlikely challenge at second position. Craig Skinner, Newborough coach: "Looking forward to a replay with Foster at home in front of our past premiership players this Saturday, They have been on a steady improve and will be hard to beat. To be the best you have to beat the best." The challenge for the Tigers comes as Foster come off both good form and a bye which will have them cherry ripe. Sam Davies, Foster coach: "The bye was great for the boys - we needed it. Newborough at their home deck after rolling Tarwin looms as the toughest test. Looks like they’ve added a pretty handy mid to their team in the last couple of weeks as well." To say a lot rides on this game, is an understatement, a win crucial for both, a loss meaning some more pressure, but you know what they say “when the going gets tough…”
Stony Creek v Toora: The Lions have been about as courageous a side as any in the competition this season, and despite not getting the result they wanted last week, those sides around them also fighting like they for a top six spot, did the right thing by suffering a similar fate, which has kept the Stony Creek season alive. A win is possible for the Lions, but it won't be as easy as turning up and going through the motions, even against a side that has managed just the last win for the year. The Magpies have been honest and aggressive in almost every contest they have confronted, but they will have to show even more to upset the Lions on their home deck, with the Lions coming off a bye. Jay Acardi, Stony Creek coach: “We had a tough contested game of football (a fortnight ago) but we had too many skill errors and that really let us down and good teams don't let you off the hook, after the bye we are ready for a big game this week against Toora." Toora might not be the favourites , but coach Ponton was happy with the sort of effort last week and hopeful of seeing it again in a game that is winnable. Matt Ponton, Toora coach: "We fought hard all day both teams played with aggression which excited the fans, our running and attack on the ball got the Toora fans excited as well, Jack Weston broke the lines 4-5 times and really turned the game in our favour, we brought it right to Fish Creek and had our chances." Chances for Toora have been rare in season 2022, but if they happen upon another opportunity this week it might well kill off the season for Stony Creek who still have finals aspirations in the last month of the season.
Thorpdale v Morwell East: Morwell East will make the trip to Thorpdale under no illusions whatsoever, as to what is required... win or the season is as good as over!. The Hawks have shown only glimpses of what they are capable of this year, but the fact is it's been too little on too few occasions. It must be said that Morwell East are in fact currently in the top six, but it's just as much about those around them not taking their chances as it is their own limited impressive performances. In short, it's time to deliver, and you expect they will, against an out of sorts Thorpdale after a bye and a disappointing loss prior. Devon Soutar, Morwell East coach: “We got totally outworked in the second and we were lucky to remain within striking distance. We got going in the second half and had a sniff late, but that window closed quickly. Frustrated sums up the group right now and after twelve games straight we’re screaming for a spell." That spell has been had and time is starting to run out for the Hawks, in fact you get the feeling looking at the home and away fixture as it stands that they may not know their finals destiny, if there is one, until the very last game of the season when they confront Yinnar. First things first though, they must beat Thorpdale!
BYE: Boolarra, Mirboo North, Tarwin.