Weekly Times | REIGNING premier Traralgon has all but cemented a place in the Gippsland League qualifying final after a 21-point win against Wonthaggi Power yesterday.
Traralgon went into the main break with a four-point deficit, but hit its stride in the second half with standout performances from ruckman Ben Amberg, who was in the initial Vic Country squad this year, former Gippsland Power best-and-fairest Tim Northe and defender Adrian Slottje.
The final score was 15.17 (107) to 13.8 (86).
The win puts the Maroons two-and-a-half games clear in third place with three rounds left to play, including a final round match up against bottom side Morwell.
Meanwhile the Power must continue to fight to play finals. It remains in fifth place for now, but is two premiership points behind Drouin — which scraped through against Morwell by three points yesterday — while Warragul is sixth by percentage.
Traralgon coach and Vic Country representative Mark Collison played yesterday but will get a scan during the week on a foot injury he sustained two weeks ago.
He said after wrapping up a double chance in the finals, the side was confident it was on the right track.
“There was a lot of pressure on the boys (with the double chance on the line), but … we would’ve gifted them six goals from direct turnovers,” he said.
“Once we clean that up all of a sudden we’re winning by 50-60 points and looking really good.”
● A DRAW in the final round of the Wimmera Football League has put Warrack Eagles into the finals and ended Nhill’s season.
The Eagles held the coveted fifth position ahead of sixth-placed Nhill going into the do-or-die clash, but the Tigers were only one win behind and had superior percentage.
Nhill led at every change, but became part of the first draw of the season in the competition — 14.10 (94) apiece.
● BRUTHEN is through to the Omeo and District Football League preliminary final after a four-point semi-final win against Swifts Creek yesterday.
Mitch Clague kicked three goals, adding to his solitary goal from Round 6, in a team best performance as Bruthen survived 16.9 (105) to 14.17 (101).
Lindenow South and Swan Reach meet in the second semi-final this Saturday.
● DONALD became the first side to defeat Wycheproof-Narraport in the North Central Football League this season.
The Demons’ run of 15 straight wins, which included the final two home-and-away rounds last season, ended yesterday 13.4 (82) to 8.13 (61).
Wycheproof-Narraport already has the minor premiership locked away, while Donald is in a battle with Charlton for second place and second chance come finals.