LEONGARTHA’S Under 18s will live to fight another day, after going down to Warragul by 19 points in the Qualifying Final at Wonthaggi on Saturday, September 2.
The game was evenly fought throughout, except for the second quarter when Warragul got it out to a 23-point lead by half time with a goal right on siren time by Patrick Ireland, taking a contested mark against Leongatha’s Tyler Richards, who otherwise finished the game among the Parrots’ best.
But it was a margin that the Gulls were to hold until the finish of the game and it was Ireland who provided the sealer deep into the last quarter when he curled and bounced one through from an acute angle
Despite the fact that Warragul’s seniors finished the year with only three wins, two of them against arch rivals Drouin, it must be said, there’s a feeling within the club that they’ve taken important strides forward, and the continued success of their Under 18s can only help raise hopes that the big town of Warragul will soon be a force to be reckoned with in the Gippsland Leagvue.
The Parrots get a second chance in the First Semi-final at Maffra next Sunday, September 10, mindful that if they can get through to the Preliminary Final, they’ll get back a few players from Gippsland Power, should they fall out of the race in the Coates Under 18 Talent League.
As well as Trent McRae who kicked four for Leongatha, Will Brown was a shining light for Leongatha on the ball, clearly their best player on the day. Ruckman Lachie Gill made a good contest of it against Warragul’s Liam Finnegan, Jude Fixter off half back or on a wing did well, as did Jett Garnham up forward, although he did miss a few shots.
For Warragul, Lucas Carter in the centre, Charlie Dore at CHB, Heath Jinks up forward, Luke Garner on the ball, Harry Brown and Levi Moore also on the ball and through the centre, and Darcy Paul across half back were other goers for the Gulls in a highly entertaining game.
The final scores: Warragul 9.5.59 defeated Leongatha 5.10.40.
Reserves play a draw
In the Reserves between Maffra and Traralgon, the Maroons grabbed a one point lead half way through the last quarter until Maffra’s Owen Gallagher wheeled around and kicked a point to square it up Traralgon 3.9.27 to Maffra’s 4.3.27.
Play was stuck on the scoreboard wing until the Maroons surged forward only to have the kick saved on the line.
Maffra then had a chance at the other end before Traralgon’s Daniel Buis cleared the mayhem in the teeth of the Maffra goal… siren all square at the end of full time. The teams then had to play five minutes both ends while the senior players from Moe and Leongatha cooled their heals in the rooms.
Maffra’s Kal Killorn looked the likely hero after marking near goal but only a point resulted and the Eagles had another handy point soon after from long range.
And just before the changeover Brodie Johnson of Maffra kicked long for what looked to be the match winner. With the players out on their feet they swapped over and Traralgon returned fire before Maffra’s Bailey Carubia and Sam Walker stepped in to clear the danger zone twice for Maffra. They were looking the winners despite Traralgon pushing forward in desperation.
The Traralgon forward line was stacked with black and red but both Lachie McDonald and Kade Marsh marked near goal for no result for Traralgon. With the ball on their defensive flank Maffra held on… siren! Maffra winners by 8 points.
