FOR three quarters, the match between Wonthaggi Power and Maffra, played on the bowling-green smooth surface of the Maffra Showgrounds, was as good a match of country footy as you’d ever want to see.
It had a couple of dominant forwards at both ends, Wonthaggi’s Troy Harley, who finished with a record-equalling seven goals by a Power player against Maffra, and Tom Jolly for the Eagles who got four.
Two terrific ruckmen, Wonthaggi’s Toma Huther (32 hit-outs, 15 possessions) in a ding-dong battle with Maffra legend Will Pleming (24 hit-outs).
Plenty of great marks, fierce contests, and thrilling passages of play.
Two well-matched midfields boasting the likes of Ryan Sparkes (29 possessions), Aiden Lindsay (26), Jarryd Blair (20 possessions, most after half time) and Mitch Hayes (18); opposed to Danny Butcher, Edward Carr, Alex Carr and Lachlan Channing.
Two opposing styles with Maffra using quick hands and breakaway pace to attack and Wonthaggi playing the pressure game front and back to create their opportunities.
And when Maffra went end-to-end halfway through the third quarter to hit the front, the ninth lead change of the day, no one saw what was coming in the last quarter; a 52-point blowout in the Power’s favour.
But a couple of turning points, after Jolly produced Maffra’s ninth goal, changed the complexion of the game and once again it was Wonthaggi’s pressure which made the difference.
In the final minutes of that third quarter, Wonthaggi charged back into the ascendency with three goals, two of them in disastrous circumstances for the host club.
Darcy Brosnan, back into the Seniors and likely to hold his spot after a great game, hit Troy Harley laces out to put the Power back in front. Then two terrible defensive mix-ups by Maffra, in Wonthaggi’s scoring zone, resulted in two more.
Great awareness by young Jaxon Williams, intercepting a low, Eagles’ kick-out from defence, saw him gather up the ball and run into an open goal.
And, less than a minute later, Travis Krause smothered a defensive kick by Maffra full back James Huts, and Troy Harley was there to pounce, returning the favour to Krause who strolled in for another.
You could see the Maffra heads drop after what had been a draining contest where every score was hard earned, and Wonthaggi went to the break as 13-point leaders.
It was a chance for everyone to catch their breath after three thrilling quarters, but Power coach Jarryd Blair wasted no time calling his players in from their respective groups to stress the importance of the first few minutes of the last quarter.
“This is about desperation and doing the basic things well. These next few minutes are crucial. We got those goals out of pressure and we’ve got to bring that again. Force yourself to get involved, force yourself down the line as an option. Come on,” said Blair as they broke quickly.
And they brought it right out of the first centre break with Huther setting Blair himself on the way, driving the ball forward. Aiden Lindsay, Brosnan, Sparkes, Noah and Flynn Anderson, Harry Dawson, Kyle Reid; they all responded.
The Power peppered the scoring zone but ultimately the goals started to come; Aiden Lindsay still running after a gruelling contest, found Harley in space, and after great led-up work by Harry Dawson, Harley marked on the lead again and made no mistake with his sixth.
Bray, who had been terrific down back, Krause and Sparkes then went coast-to-coast to find Harley again for his seventh; three in-a-row to start the last quarter as they broke the game open.
Others followed, including Lindsay again turning on the afterburners for a solo goal, and while Maffra pulled one back through Tom Thatcher, it was all Wonthaggi in an impressive display of fitness and commitment in the run to the line.
It probably helps when you’ve got nine players under 21 in your team, led by plenty of talent and experience at the top end.
Wonthaggi might have been missing the likes of Jack Blair, Fergus O’Connor, Jordan Staley and Tom Murray but they have unearthed some fine young players, set to stand the club in good stead this season, and the years to come.
The game was a must-win with Sale, Traralgon and Morwell all in-form and pushing for a ‘top three’ spot. Wonthaggi hosts one of those contenders, Traralgon, at Wonthaggi this Saturday.
Final scores: Wonthaggi 17.17.119 def Maffra 10.7.67.

Thrills and spills for Power netballers

WONTHAGGI Power netballer