Wonthaggi gets rolling with away win over Sale

SHANNON Bray’s vice-like final term tackle in defence for Wonthaggi stopped Sale’s Jack Johnstone in his tracks as he threatened to bring the Magpies back within a straight kick, a moment that proved decisive in Power’s first win of the season, by 7 points.

While it was only 10 minutes into the quarter, a Sale behind proved to be the only remaining score for the day.

Moments before Bray’s team-lifting effort, Sale had punished a Power mistake with a Thomas Campbell goal and the Magpies may well have seized momentum with another major.

Power took a small advantage into the last stanza after coach Jarryd Blair read a Toma Huther ruck tap to perfection, emerging from the pack to goal.

Young Noah Anderson built on that lead when he snapped accurately early in the final term, his third major, and when Huther got the footy into Cooper McInnes’ hands for a composed major, Power threatened to skip away.

The remainder of the game was characterised by strong tackling pressure from both sides, with holding the ball decisions going both ways.

Jack Blair and Isaac Chugg proved instrumental in the second half, continuing to win the footy and create opportunities for Wonthaggi.

Jarryd Blair and McInnes each finished with a couple of majors for the winning side, one behind Anderson’s haul. 

A stellar performance in the ruck and a couple of goals from Sale skipper Jack Leslie saw him named his side’s best, with Shannen Lange and Hudson Holmes among the Magpies winning the ball and creating clearances.

For Power, the Blairs and Anderson were involved in a passage of play that gave the side early confidence and an opening minute goal as it began to work its way back from a 0-3 start to the season, Anderson nailing a set shot after a confident mark.

Former Tarwin player Kaj Patterson had a solid presence for Power from early on, showing class late in the first term when Huther brought the footy down for him, weaving and snapping truly.

While the win is crucial to kick start Power’s season, footy was put into perspective before the match as players and officials lined up for the Ode of Remembrance and the sounding of the Last Post.