There is no justice in football.
At least that is what Sale players will be thinking after losing the Gippsland League Elimination Final.
The Magpies ventured to Western Park, and returned with their wings clipped, losing to Traralgon 9.11 (65) to 5.6 (36).
The result, and game itself, carried no shortage of subplots.
Sale is now out of the premiership race, less than a year after making the Grand Final.
Having beaten the Maroons in the last game of the home-and-away season, the Magpies, not for the first time, were made to realise the cruelty of finals.
Traralgon had lost four games in a row leading into finals.
They had even lost to lowly Bairnsdale just three weeks ago.
And their coach Jake Best had already announced his resignation after this season.
The Maroons were given little to no chance on Sunday, but ended up pulling off a win for the ages.
A change in season to Spring may well have brought about a change in Traralgon, as they appeared a completely different side to the one that many within league circles thought were merely making up the numbers in finals.
But the Maroons were a team for the big occasion, and made the early running with two goals in the first quarter.
While both sides shared the same number of scoring shots, the second term proved to be the game changer for the underdog.
With key forward Brett Eddy getting opportunity, and midfielder Luis D’Angelo tagging gun Sale midfielder Shannen Lange, the Maroons added three goals to go into halftime with a 24 point lead.
Sale was feeling the heat, and not just from the day itself which was bathed in sunshine, as handballs went astray and players fumbled below their knees.
Frustrations were clear and tempers flared on the halftime siren following an attempted barrel from D’Angelo, as an all-in melee started.
Players came from everywhere to fly the flag, before being separated and retreated to the rooms, the situation made somewhat tricky by the fact both teams had to walk off through the same gate.
Sale captain Jack Leslie had a chat to the umpires at the break, while Traralgon coach Jake Best could be seen gesturing to his head, no doubt telling his players to cool their jets.
If the Magpies were hoping the fight sparked them into gear, they were mistaken, as the third quarter played out as a stalemate with just one goal kicked between the two sides.
Down by 25 points at three quarter time and with their season on the line, Sale added three goals in the final term, but their efforts were in vain as the Maroons added just as many.
Leslie was best-on-ground for the Magpies, followed by Nathan Whitford, youngster Tom Wrigglesworth, Jordan Dessent, Pat Tainsh and Jayden Allison.
D’Angelo won the plaudits for his work on Lange, while Tom Hamilton, Brett Eddy (five goals), Max Jacobsen, Tom Schneider and Jackson McMahon were productive.
Traralgon will play Moe this Sunday at Maffra in the first semi-final.
The pressure now appears to be all on the Lions following their loss to Leongatha in the qualifying final.
It’s not so much that Leongatha know how to win finals, it’s that they know when to play finals.
The Parrots showed every bit of their finals experience on Saturday, defeating Moe 16.5 (101) to 11.7 (73).
In many ways, the qualifying final belonged to Cameron Olden. The Leongatha forward, who has played most of the year with Richmond in the VFL, lit up Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve, kicking eight goals in a scintillating display.
His last goal was truly out of this world. He snapped it from 45 metres out off a standing start with Moe jumpers all around him.
Olden was bumped as he kicked it, meaning he ended up on his back as the ball was sailing through. Once it registered a goal, he had both arms outstretched sprawled across the ground, almost as if to say “it’s my world today, you are just living in it.”
After kicking eight goals in a final, it’s hard to argue otherwise.
Olden’s heroics looked some way off at quarter time, as teams went into the first break virtually on level-pegging.
Moe kicked the first goal of the game through Jacob Balfour, while working class hero Tom Blackshaw nailed a set shot from long range.
Naturally, things were tight early on, with hardly any players finding the ball in space.
A goal to the Parrots after the quarter time siren gave them some momentum – little was another to know just how much momentum.
Leongatha blew the game open in the second term, piling on six goals in what seemed like the blink of an eye. Moe had lost veteran defender Tom Long to a hamstring by this stage, and the Lions were frantically spinning the magnets around.
Moe’s only two goals for the term came from James Blaser, who kept the scoreboard in some check after dobbing a set shot from 40 metres out at the entrance end.
While the margin was only 23 points at the main break, there was worrying signs for the Lions.
In a bid to add some needed physicality around the ball, Moe put key forward Billy Gowers into the midfield at the start of the third quarter. The Lions worked their way back into the contest, with a neat set shot from Trent Baldi deep in the pocket followed by Chris Prowse smartly tapping the ball to himself and running into an open goal making it a 15-point ball game.
Leongatha however steadied. A calculated set shot from Tom Marriott kept the Lions at bay, while two goals in red time – another right on the siren, meant the Parrots entered the last change 28 points up.
Moe found valiantly, but ultimately, just couldn’t bridge the gap.
Olden just kept kicking goals, and put the result beyond doubt after getting a gimme in the goal square and kicking it over the net.
Olden was a clear best-on, and received good support from Maskell, who just keeps getting better with age. Harry did a good job locking down Gowers, keeping the Moe spearhead to one goal, while Luke Bowman was rewarded for sacrificing his game.
Bowman played exclusively on Keilty in the first quarter, taking himself out of the midfield and allowing Noah Gown to spend time in the engine room.
The plan worked perfectly for Leongatha, as Gown was able to free himself up and spend little to no time on Keilty, who had given him a bath the last time they played.
Ben Willis was also prominent for the Parrots, giving his heart and soul as he always does.
Moe found good contributions from Riley and Trent Baldi, while Scott Van Dyk struck a composed figure in defence.
Having beaten Leongatha in both their home-and-away matches this year, the result was disappointing for Moe, who have now used their double-chance and will have to take the long way through finals.
For the Parrots, who had been questioned at times this season regarding whether or not their premiership window was still open, well and truly demonstrated they will still be there when the whips are cranking
After all, they know when to play finals.
A South Gippsland showdown now awaits between Leongatha and Wonthaggi for a place in the Grand Final.
Sale enjoyed better fortunes in the reserves, winning the elimination final.
The Magpies led from start to finish, but had to hold off a persistent Wonthaggi outfit.
The Power were accurate, but Sale was better, and won 9.6 (60) to 8.0 (48).
Sale kept Wonthaggi goal-less in the opening quarter, but held just a six-point lead come the last change.
Three goals to two in the last ensured the Magpies kept their season alive.
Josh Butcher was best for Sale, followed by Bohdi Walker (five goals), Jamie Sweeney, Zak Russell, Daine McGuiness and Jackson Glenane.
With the seniors now eliminated, there is potential for Sale to strengthen their reserves further.
The Magpies could add Jordan Burke and Harry Tatterson into the line-up, both of whom played seniors at the weekend.
Sale takes on Traralgon this Sunday in the first semi-final at Maffra.
