Gippsland Times | AFTER an even first half, Wonthaggi Power shook off a persistent young Sale side to run out an easy 46-point winner.
In blustery conditions at Wonthaggi on Sunday, the Power won 11.9 (75) to Sale 3.11 (29) to move into second place on the Gippsland League ladder.
Wonthaggi failed to capitalise on the strong breeze in the first quarter as the desperate Magpies held the home side to an eight-point lead.
With the breeze in the second quarter, the Magpies did most of the attacking and had the opportunity to take the lead into half-time. However, the Magpies were wasteful in front of goal, kicking six behinds, poor reward for a lot of effort which was to prove costly at the final analysis.
The first half had been a close contest with both sides applying pressure and plenty of fierce tackling.
The Power's win was set-up in the third quarter when it piled on four unanswered goals to increase the margin to 32 point by the final change. From then on there was no way back for Sale as Power key defenders Shannon Bray and Chris Wylie, who had nullified their Sale opponents all day, continued to dominate.
Up forward, Wonthaggi's Adam Cook stood-out with five goals.
In the second half, the Power took control of the midfield and made better use of the corridor with Byron Dryden, Phillip Young and Aiden Lindsay stepping up the pace and forcing their smaller bodied opponents into many errors.
The Magpies' work rate and effort in the contest could not be faulted, however, elementary errors proved costly, including numerous uncontested dropped marks.
Until injured, Chris Laverty had clearly been the Magpies' best and Josh Woods was inspirational with his fearless attack on the ball.
The Magpies were also well served by talls Jack Lipman, Mackenzie Bristow and Andrew Quirk.
The early loss of Justin McLay with a severely corked hip did not help the Magpies' cause. With added injuries, Sale will face difficult home games against Traralgon and Leongatha in coming weeks.
Two wins for Traralgon
TRARALGON recorded a second consecutive win and inflicted Drouin's first loss of the season.
On Sunday at Traralgon, a seven-goal to three first half set-up the Maroons' 16.19 (115) to 6.9 (45) victory.
Rohan Hildebrand and coach Mark Collison were the Maroons' best, with the side boasting 10 goal kickers.
Coach Bob McCallum was the Hawks' best, with Ben Hughes kicking three of the side's six goals.
Dream start for Soutar
MORWELL gave Joel Soutar a dream start to his coaching tenure, defeating Moe by 57 points on Saturday.
Days after the sacking of Dean Warren as coach, the Tigers began with three unanswered first term goals before extending their lead to 19 points by half-time.
The home side challenged the Tigers early in the third term, but the visitors responded to lead by 33 at final change before going on with it in the fourth quarter, winning 14.12 (96) to 5.9 (39).
Mannon Johnston kicked six goals and Brad Brereton four for the Tigers. Simon Noy led a strong defensive effort.
Redlegs rally
BAIRNSDALE opened its account for 2015 with a 10-point victory over a defiant Warragul at home on Saturday.
After the Redlegs went out to a 24-point quarter-time lead, the Gulls fought their way back into the contest.
The home side only led by seven points at the final change before its experienced players took charge to claim victory 10.10 (70) to 9.6 (60).
Adam Walker, Brett Waddell and Nathan Dennsion were the Redlegs' best, with James Gibbs returning to the line-up to kick five goals.
Nick Mulqueen and Chris Carey stood-out for the Gulls.