Wonthaggi stunned by inexplicable decision

A SPECIAL day for Wonthaggi, at home and celebrating Aiden Lindsay’s 200th game, was soured by an extraordinary umpiring decision that may ultimately cost Power a place in the finals, leaving the club bitterly disappointed.

With Wonthaggi a goal ahead during time on in the second quarter, Morwell ruckman Isaac Abas delivered an unprovoked blow to the head of Power skipper Josh Bates sending him to the ground and sparking a heated skirmish between the teams.

While an umpire saw the incident, immediately blowing his whistle and awarding Wonthaggi a free kick, Abas was allowed to remain on the field.

Although Power took a four-point lead to the long break, Morwell got right on top in the third term, Abas playing a considerable role during that period, including a decisive hitout that set up a Tigers’ goal, helping Morwell build momentum.

Wonthaggi’s shock that Abas wasn’t sent off at all, believing he should have been red-carded, was compounded when the Tiger was offered a one-match suspension post-game.

The home side started the match brightly, creating forward forays in the tricky windy conditions, the highlight delivered by Kaj Patterson who seized on a poor Morwell pass, charged forward and split the big sticks with a long kick.

An accurate Jai Williams’ set shot extended Power’s advantage.

As time ticked away, it appeared Morwell would go to the quarter time huddle with just a behind on the scoreboard but Boyd Bailey booted truly after the siren, having received a free kick, Wonthaggi leading by just a goal at the first change.

Morwell’s strong teamwork in defence was noteworthy, enabling the Tigers to prevent Power getting much of an advantage.

It took about 10 minutes into the second stanza before either side registered a major, that coming from an Anthony Rosato snap for the Tigers.

Although that proved his only goal for the day, he contributed to others and could consider himself unfortunate not to be named higher than fifth place on the winning side’s best players list.

Morwell’s eight goals to one third term put the result beyond doubt, setting up a 38-point advantage with a quarter to play.

Wonthaggi stuck at the task, managing to outscore the Tigers by a point in the final term.

The Tigers’ 37-point victory looks comfortable on the score sheet, but it would likely have been a vastly different outcome if Abas had been sent off for the remainder of the match with a little over a half to play.

Brodie Mabilia’s work in the ruck and around the ground was again recognised, the big man named Power’s best player for the second week in a row.

Ethan Dickison, Jaxon Williams, Jye Gilmour, Patterson and Harry Dawson rounded out the beaten team’s best players list.

Cooper McInnes was Power’s multiple goal scorer, with a couple of majors to his name, while Josh Galea was most prolific in attack for the Tigers with three goals, Cohen Campbell managing a couple.

Having dropped out of the top five on percentage to Morwell, Wonthaggi hosts a must-win game against Sale, while the Tigers look to make it three wins in a row, albeit against a tough adversary in top-of-the-ladder Leongatha.