Wonthaggi Outpowered by Moe

THE STAGE was set for an enthralling final term, with home side Wonthaggi just a point adrift of Moe at the final change, but the Lions couldn’t be tamed for the remainder of the game, roaring to a 28-point win.

While Power had enjoyed a 14-point halftime lead, that buffer failed to reveal the whole story.

Wonthaggi’s advantage to that point was built through a combination of determined defence and Power’s greater accuracy in attack.

Moe was well and truly holding its own around the ground but took until five minutes into the second quarter to register a goal, with Wonthaggi already having booted four majors by then.

The Lions came out looking the more menacing team after the main break, with Harrison Sim snapping a goal in the early minutes and Moe goaling again from a set shot six minutes in.

Minutes later, a loose Wonthaggi pass in defence was punished, with the Lions hitting the front.

However, Power was quick to reply and edge back in front.

While Wonthaggi lifted and matched Moe well for the remainder of the term, the home team could manage only behinds in that period, while the Lions kicked one more major to earn their meagre three quarter time advantage.

The disappointing tone of the last term, from the home side’s perspective, was set early, with Harrison Pepper marking and goaling for Moe.

His teammate Nick Prowse soon added to his major tally, finishing as the game’s most productive goal scorer with five to his name, including three in a 10-minute burst during the third term.

Ultimately, Power managed just a couple of second half goals to Moe’s nine.

Harry Dawson and Jack Hutchinson were the Power players who kicked multiple goals for the match, booting a couple apiece, with Hutchinson’s long-range snap the only score for Wonthaggi in the last quarter.

While recent recruit Cooper McInnes finished with just one goal for the beaten Power, it was an important one at the time, capitalising on his own free-kick-winning tackle to get Wonthaggi going 10 minutes into the match.

By early in time on, Dawson booted Power’s fourth major and things were starting to look positive for the home side.

While Wonthaggi led by 23 points as the teams headed to their quarter time huddles, Moe didn’t allow that deficit to affect its confidence, continuing to play well around the ground and ultimately wearing Power down.

AFL recruit Isaac Chugg had moments of class and was named Power’s best but was by no means a dominant force.

He often roamed free, coming in for closer attention when he got near the Sherrin.

Shannon Bray was prominent for Wonthaggi, working hard in defence and helping ensure Moe earned its goals.

Onballer Ben Daniher provided plenty of Moe’s momentum, being named his team’s best player and continuing his fine start to the season.

Wonthaggi entered the game with confidence after opening its campaign with a win over 2022 runner-up Sale, then almost toppling last year’s unbeaten premier Leongatha, but Power couldn’t find anything approaching its best form against the Lions.

Moe deserves credit for maintaining a high level of pressure on Wonthaggi.

Power will need to be back at its best in round 4 with host Maffra throwing everything at Wonthaggi as the Eagles strive for their first win of the season.

Despite an impressive showing in the first couple of games, Power sits sixth on the ladder with just one win and is sure to be hellbent on applying pressure to the teams above.