Wonthaggi too classy for Maffra

ANOTHER powerful Ryan Sparkes’ performance led the way for Wonthaggi in a crushing 133-point win over Maffra.

Power dominated the Eagles from start to finish, racing to a 32-point quarter time lead without Maffra having scored.

“It was a really positive start lads and you are creating a heap of chances,” Wonthaggi playing coach Jarryd Blair told his charges during the opening break, praising Power’s structured and confident approach in the midfield.

He urged his players not to be rushed into passing when they found space in front of them, being willing to have a bounce and capitalise on late leads from forwards or break into the 50-metre arc and have a shot on the run.

Despite the largely excellent quarter, Jack Blair chimed in to say there were a few scrappy moments with long indiscriminate Power kicks finding Maffra’s spare man in defence.
“If you feel the game’s getting a bit scrappy, let’s just find a target,” he urged.

Coach Blair also pointed out Wonthaggi’s backmen got a little too far up field on occasion.

The considered assessment of the situation and enthusiasm for continued improvement shows the determination of the Power group to be there at the pointy end of the season, something that looks likely.

Strong teamwork and a commitment to every contest shone through in a game Wonthaggi never looked like losing.

A mark and set shot goal to Lachlan Allman approaching time on in the second term delivered Maffra’s first score for the game, with Power having already raced to 9.6 (60) by then.

Sparkes’ fellow onballer and Power skipper Aiden Lindsay was another commanding presence for the winning team.

Forward Cooper McInnes again underlined the value of his recruitment from Inverloch Kongwak, being in the action from early and finishing with six Wonthaggi goals.

Noah Anderson booted just a couple of majors less for the victorious Power, with robust teammate Troy Harley managing three goals.

Jack Hutchinson returned to the Power side, boosting its already wide-ranging scoring options and booting a couple of majors.

Big man Toma Huther was switched on from the outset, working hard around the ground and winning the footy, registering a couple of goals, including one in the second term that involved dodging opponents and finishing with an impressive snap.
He was freed up at times by Jordan Staley’s work in the ruck.
Brayden Monk did best for the beaten Maffra, with James Read joining Allman as the Eagles’ pair of single goal kickers.