MOE have held on in thrilling circumstances at Maffra to win through to a Second Semi-final clash against Leongatha at Parrot Park next Saturday.
But they may have to do it without intercept defender and coach Declan Keilty who finished the day on crutches and must certainly be at some serious risk of not playing next week.
In an update on Keilty's condition, there have been reports of a suspected knee injury. the extent of which is yet to be confirmed with scans.
Moe finished the match with only one rotation, but the single goal in the last quarter by their captain Jacob Wood was enough as Traralgon pressed hard to initially get to within a straight kick when Sammy Hallyburton nailed one from 40 metres partway through the last quarter.
The Maroons manufactured a number of chances to take back the lead, but they had their best chance when big Max Jacobson marked one just 30 metres out directly in front.
His spearing shot for goal, made tougher in the windy conditions, hit the swinging goal post flush and bounced directly out on to the ground, a point but not enough to overhaul Moe who hung on to win by four points.
Leongatha through in Under 18s
Leongatha’s Under 18s went into Saturday’s Qualifying Final against Traralgon as underdogs after losing both meetings between the teams during the season, most recently by two goals at Traralgon on June 29.
But the Parrots approached Saturday’s key contest at Maffra full of confidence after naming one of their best teams for the year and they played that way, dominating possession and ultimately coming away with a convincing 31-point victory on the back of a thrilling burst in the third quarter.
The match was marred by gusty wind all day, making kicking for goal especially difficult and there looked to be a risk that Leongatha might have kicked its chances away when they’d kicked 1.10 by half time including three or four “posters”.
But they preserved after the break and the goals finally started to come with Finn Donohue dominating on the ball and capping it off with a nice goal.
Julian Callahan and Ben Fort have both earned senior games this year and they demonstrated that experience with strong games, also with the likes of Tadgh Gannon, Hamish Gill and Klayton McGrath among the best.
In a low-scoring contest, Leongatha had a 37-point lead by the last change and there was no coming back from there despite the Parrots not managing to put icing on the cake with a final goal.
They now meet top team Warragul at Leongatha next Saturday, September 7 in the Second Semi-Final for a place in the Grand Final.
Mixed netball results
Leongatha had a mixed day in the netball with the B Graders going down 37-44 to Moe but with a second chance next week and the Under 17s easily through against Bairnsdale 42-23 and through to play Traralgon at Leongatha next Saturday. Leongatha's Bs will play at Moe on Sunday.
