Gippsland Times |Morwell dealt Sale's finals chances a severe blow with a 17 point defeat in a low scoring match that never reached great heights as a football spectacle.
Morwell won 11.9 (75)to Sale 8.10 (58).
Sale teammates John Gooch and Josh Kennedy look to work the ball out from a contest.
Sale teammates John Gooch and Josh Kennedy look to work the ball out from a contest.
There was little between the sides as the match developed into a genuine arm wrestle with the lead see-sawing often. The Tigers led narrowly at every change but their final quarter was their best kicking four goals straight to Sale's one goal six behinds.
The win was a reward for the Tigers accuracy in this vital quarter with Morwell captain coach Joel Soutar who had been quiet early being influential in the Tigers final quarter dominance.
By this stage the Magpies small players had succumbed to the pressure and went out of the contest.
Sale had counted on this match as a must win however the result now puts Morwell back into finals calculations and opens the way to a fight for fifth spot along with Sale and Drouin.
The taller Magpies team began well then inexplicably changed down a gear and forgetting their game plan allowed the opposition to seize the momentum.
Jack Lipman dominated the ruck hit outs for the Magpies but his good work was negated by the Tigers persistent and experienced small brigade of Tim Ryan, Ryan Tatterson, Mannon Johnston, and Brad Brereton who blocked most of the Magpies clearances.
Sale fumbled, turned the ball over too much and their disposals were well below par.
Sale's midfielder Tom Hams with three goals was arguably best on ground, but the Magpies' elite player was in a losing side and clearly needed more support around the contest. The loss of Tye Morrison early in the third quarter with concussion added to the Magpies' woes.
As the scores indicated, both defences were on top for most of the match with Brayden Darby-Lock, and Riley Hogarth working hard all day for the Tigers in the absence of regular Morwell defender Jack Brown.
For the visitors Justin Dessent, Joel Wallace and Chris Laverty were also prominent.
Playing his first game Sale's tall high marking Brad Dessent brought the match alight with three second quarter goals to give the Magpie supporters some joy, but the Magpies season is now in the balance with a growing injury list and the next three games being against top sides.
