ROUND 2 returned less than ideal results for Sale and Maffra in the Gippsland League.
The Magpies and Eagles both suffered losses at home.
It ended up being an entire weekend of pain for the local clubs, as Sale’s match was played on Sunday.
The number three proved to be a dreaded one for the Magpies and Eagles.
Sale lost by three points, and Maffra kicked just three goals.
THE Eagles played Traralgon in atrocious conditions, forcing both to play good old fashioned wet weather footy.
Rain pelted down in Maffra during the reserves game, the effects of which were still evident by the time the main game started.
The Eagles actually led at quarter time by one point, however, the one goal they kicked to five behinds told the full story.
In what turned out to be a somewhat bizarre first half, Maffra was held scoreless in the second term, while the Maroons took control from a territorial point of view, but had very little reward to show for it.
Amazingly, the visitors added 1.8 (14) in the second quarter. Although Traralgon went into halftime only 13 points ahead, they had registered 14 scoring shots to one.
With the scoreboard reading 1.13 (19) to 1.0 (6), the threat of the dam wall bursting open in the second half hung over the heads of the Eagles.
And sure enough, that is what happened.
The Maroons continued to dominate, and with greater conversion, were able to put the game to rest by three quarter time.
Traralgon added six goals to one, taking a 41-point lead at three quarter time.
Given the conditions, the Maroons virtually played the last term in preservation mode.
Traralgon’s accuracy improved so much that they only kicked two behinds after halftime, in a final effort reading 9.15 (69) to 3.6 (24).
On a day where each goal was worth at least twice as many, the Maroons had a trio of players in Brett Eddy, Tate Marsh and Billy Schilling all nab two.
Schilling was best on ground, followed by Marsh. Others to play well were Luis D’Angelo, captain Dylan Loprese, Tom Schneider, and youngster Joel Scholtes.
Scholtes has had a solid start to the season, named in the best in the first two games.
Kade Renooy played well for Maffra, as did Alex Carr, Danny Butcher, Ed Carr, James Huts and James Read – playing his 150th senior game.
The man known as ‘Froggy’ has been a stalwart of the Eagles’ defence for many years, with multiple premierships to his name.
He has shown great resilience to come back from two serious long-term injuries. Had it not been for those, as well as the cancelled seasons of 2020-21, he would almost certainly be on the verge of 200 games.
Read played his first senior game as a top age thirds player in 2012. When he played his 100th senior game in 2017, it was generally accepted he was the youngest to ever reach that milestone for Maffra.
The Eagles had two young players make their senior debut on the weekend in Ethan Aurisch and Noah Christy.
Aurisch is the nephew of former Sale player Chris, who won the league goal kicking in 2006.
SALE can’t get some of their players back quick enough.
The Magpies suffered a shock loss to Bairnsdale on Sunday, going down 7.9 (51) to 7.6 (48).
Taking to Sale Oval, and without names such as Brad Dessent, Jordan Dessent, Brad McKay, Jack McLindin, Tom Glenn, Pat Tainsh, Bohdi Walker and Irving Mosquito, the home side trailed at every change. The visitors withstood a final term rally from Sale, holding on for dear life to record arguably their greatest win on the road since 2014 when they beat eventual Grand Finalists Wonthaggi.
The Redlegs kicked the only two goals of the first quarter, before establishing a handy 21-point lead at the main break.
Key Bairnsdale player Will Mitchell (brother of Brownlow medallist Tom) did not play after quarter time due to concussion.
There was a few AFL connections in the Redlegs camp. Playing coach Logan Austin played with Port Adelaide and St Kilda, while former Sydney Swan Xavier Richards also suited up. Lachlan Byrne-Jones (brother of Port Adelaide’s Darcy) is another with AFL connection playing at Bairnsdale this season.
Byrne-Jones and Austin were in the best for the winners, along with Link McKenna, Nic Bulmer and Harrison Cook.
To add injury to insult as far as Sale was concerned, former Magpie John Gooch (now the Redlegs vice captain) was also named in the best.
Sale responded after halftime, kicking three goals to one in the third term to cut the margin back to 10 points heading into the last.
Another two goals were added in the last, but it wasn’t enough. Bairnsdale’s solidary major proved decisive in a game decided by just three points.
Lachie Ronchi collected best afield honours for Sale, followed by Daine McGuiness, Jarrod Freeman and Jack McLaren. Returning Magpies Hudson Holmes and Adam Wallace were also prominent.
Despite getting off to a shaky start in season 2023, Sale has time on its side. The Magpies currently have the same record they did this time last year, a year that saw them make the Grand Final.
The difference this time however is they have dropped a game against a side not expected to play finals. Last year, Sale’s opening two losses were against Wonthaggi and Leongatha – teams that ended up finishing top three.
By the same token, what happened last year is in the past. A result like this demonstrates Bairnsdale has clearly improved, and will certainly prove challenging to take points off.
The stage is now set for an intriguing Battle of the Birds between Sale and Maffra this weekend.
In what is surely a rarity, both sides head into the game looking for their first win of the season.
ELSEWHERE, match of the round lived up to expectation.
The South Gippsland Showdown was decided by just three points, with Leongatha having their noses in front come the final siren.
The Parrots took their unbeaten record to an astonishing 30 wins in a row – but only just, holding off a gallant Wonthaggi; 10.12 (72) to 10.9 (69).
Scores were level at halftime, and only one goal was the difference come the last change.
The home side however found a way to win yet again, peppering the goal face in the last for a return of 2.6 (18) to 1.3 (9).
Jack Hulme kicked four goals for the winners, and received good support from Jake van der Plight, Travis Nash, Sam Forrester, Aaron Heppell and Luke Bowman on return.
Kyle Reid was best for the Power, followed by Jack Hutchinson, Toma Huther, Shannon Bray, debutant Brodie Mabilia, and former Collingwood player Isaac Chugg.
Mabilia is the son of Trood Award and Rodda Medal winner Adam, who tied with Maffra’s Gary Jones as best player in the Gippsland League in 2002.
HALLOWEEN came early for Morwell.
The Tigers survived an almighty scare against Drouin, eventually winning 14.15 (99) to 14.7 (91).
A seven-goal effort from Brandon McDonald helped Morwell immensely, while the efforts of Cody Macdonald, Aidan Quigley, Adam Braendler, Zac Anderson and coach Boyd Baily were also telling.
Bailey kicked a goal late in the final term to give the home side an eight point lead. The breathing space then allowed them to play the game out.
Kye Quirk was best on ground for Drouin, followed by Hugo Birks, Will Papley, Aden Quirk, Jarrod Marshall and Tom Evans.
It has been an unfortunate start to the season for the Hawks, who have lost both games by under a goal.
MOE destroyed Warragul.
The Lions only allowed the Gulls to score one goal, on their way to a commanding 15.16 (106) to 1.3 (9) victory at Western Park.
It was the lowest Round 2 score in Gippsland League history.
The Gulls went into the match with only Sam Whibley as their recognised ruckman. Moe took advantage of this, getting well on top in the midfield, evidenced by the fact three on ballers were listed as the best three players. Riley Baldi, Lucas Forato and Ben Danniher took those honours.
Matt Barrand kicked three goals, while others to play well were Brock Smith and Nick Prowse.
Sean Masterson was best for Warragul, followed by James Davison, Whibley, Cooper Alger, Brad Hefford and Jed Lamb.
While the football was a struggle on the day, Warragul does look like a nice place to play cricket.
