Wonthaggi shows class against Morwell
WHILE Morwell started brightly, snapping the game’s opening goal and looking sharp around the ground, Wonthaggi assumed control as the first quarter progressed and never relented. It became a surprisingly one-sided affair, with the Tigers’...
WHILE Morwell started brightly, snapping the game’s opening goal and looking sharp around the ground, Wonthaggi assumed control as the first quarter progressed and never relented.
It became a surprisingly one-sided affair, with the Tigers’ 1-point win over Wonthaggi in round 7 suggesting a good contest was on the cards.
After sweeping aside the Tigers by 69 points, the Power now sits third on the ladder, just percentage behind second placed Sale, having not been defeated in the last four rounds and building confidence ahead of the finals.
While Morwell threatened a couple of times early in the second term, the Power backline held firm.
Harry Dawson then marked on the lead, nailing his set shot from well inside the arc, going on to finish among Wonthaggi’s best and notching three goals for the day, along with some handy work around the ground.
Morwell showed a glimmer of a revival midway through the second term with a couple of quick goals, but Power coach Jarryd Blair snuffed out the Tigers’ brief momentum with a goal on the run.
Blair’s classy passing was instrumental in other Wonthaggi goals, and his solid contribution throughout the day was acknowledged in the side’s best players list.
Ryan Sparkes was at his damaging best for the winning side throughout the contest, often driving Power into attack and willing as usual to get in and win the hard ball when the situation called for it.
He capped off his excellent onball work with a couple of goals in a best on ground display.
Brandon McDonald scored three of the Tigers’ seven goals for the day, with fellow Brandon, McAuliffe the beaten side’s other multiple goalkicker with a couple.
McAuliffe was named Morwell’s best in a match with no standout performers for the Tigers.
Wonthaggi’s onball brigade dominated proceedings, with Mitch Hayes featuring prominently alongside Sparkes and Blair.
Dawson was by no means a lone target up forward for Power, with Troy Harley and Jack Hutchinson evenly splitting eight goals between them.
