Liam Durkin
NO guts, no glory. Moe showed plenty of the former in the Gippsland League football qualifying final, edging past Traralgon by four points.
The Lions won a dour affair 6.7 (43) to 5.9 (39); the scoreboard reflecting conditions at Maffra Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
An insanely strong westerly breeze maintained its presence throughout the day, making each goal, and score in some cases, worth its weight in gold.
Moe’s win was its first over the Maroons this season, but it came at a cost, as playing-coach Declan Keilty did not play the second half after injuring his knee. Keilty has confirmed to the Gippsland Times he might only be available if the Lions make the grand final.
Traralgon had four scoring shots to two in the opening term kicking with the advantage, however Moe was able to go into the quarter time break ahead by three points.
The Lions were given the only goal for the quarter after Trent Baldi was walked to the goal square following an indiscretion, and with their noses in front at the first change kicking into the breeze, confidence was brimming.
With the wind playing a factor, both teams dropped numbers back in order to batten down the hatches.
Moe added two goals before the main break, although the Maroons were up to the task, adding the same amount kicking into the cyclone.
The wind was such that most of the play was confined to the gumtree side of the Maffra ground.
Moe held firm in the third quarter, equalising in most areas, again most notably on the scoreboard.
Kicking into the gale, the Lions managed two goals.
Moe captain Jacob Wood kicked the first goal of the last, guiding home a set shot at the eight-minute mark.
That made the margin 10 points, which given the end Traralgon was kicking to, made its task all the more difficult.
To their credit, the Maroons refused to surrender, getting one back at the 14 minute mark through Jordan Cuncio strolling in unattended.
Some very nervy moments followed, as the game pretty much became a case of ‘next goal wins’.
Traralgon big man Max Jacobsen slammed a set shot into the goal post at the 16-minute mark, and Sam Hallyburton had an opportunity denied by the wind late, marked by Lions defender Scott van Dyk.
Van Dyk was prolific for Moe, especially in the absence of Keilty, along with fellow defenders Ben Maslen and Luke Mulqueen, who did a number on Traralgon key forward Dan McKenna.
Jackson McMahon was busy for the Maroons, as was Tye Hourigan, Luis D’Angelo, Tristen Waack, Cunico and Chance Doultree.
