Gippsland Times | TRARALGON secured the first spot in the Gippsland League grand final, upsetting minor premier Leongatha by nine points at Moe on Saturday.
Despite coming into the finals series after finishing the home-and-away season in third place, the Maroons have defeated the league’s top two sides in consecutive weeks to progress straight through to the premiership decider.
The Maroons’ 9.14 (68) to 8.11 (59) win was soured somewhat, with playing-coach Mark Collison likely to come under scrutiny for a high hit on Leongatha’s Ashley Lynch.
Collison has guided Traralgon to a grand final in his first year as coach, but seems unlikely to play a part on field in a fortnight, with any ban set to rule him out of the big occasion. If he is rubbed out, Collison will still be available to coach from the boundary line, as the incident occurred as a player not a coach.
Traralgon used the ball more decisively early, moving forward and making the most of their opportunities in the first half.
Having last weekend off appeared to hurt Leongatha early on, however the minor premies regained its mojo after half-time. Led by star forward Jake Best, the Parrots turned a 21-point half-time deficit into a one-point lead throughout the space of the third term.
The inclusion of Gippsland Power players Christian Buykx-Smith and Connor Ambler appeared to help the Maroons, who had too much run in the final term for the Parrots.
Maffra twos dominate
MAFFRA progressed through to the reserves grand final after a dominant 32-point win over Traralgon.
After a closely fought first half, the Eagles proved too strong after the long break, kicking six goals to two in the second half to secure the 10.11 (71) to 5.9 (39) victory.
Charlie Driffield led the way up forward with three goals, while Hamish Nettleton kicked two and was named the Eagles’ best.
The Eagles will have a week off to assess their grand final match-up, while the Maroons will take on Wonthaggi for a spot in the decider.
The Power proved too strong for Leongatha on Sunday, dominating for four quarters on its way to a 58-point victory.
BAIRNSDALE progressed through to the under 18s grand final with an 18-point win over Maffra.
The Redlegs dominated after quarter-time, running out 7.10 (52) to 5.4 (34) winners.
In the preliminary final, Maffra will face Traralgon, which won a closely fought contest against Leongatha by six points on Saturday.
TRARALGON defeated Moe by 10 points on Saturday to move straight through to the under 16s grand final.
Moe will face Bairnsdale, who proved too strong for Maffra on Sunday. The Redlegs stormed out of the blocks in the first quarter and never relented, going on to win by 18 points.
Gippsland League preliminary finals
Sunday at Morwell:
Seniors: Leongatha v Maffra, 2.20pm.
Reserves: Traralgon v Wonthaggi, 12.30pm.
Under 18s: Maffra v Traralgon, 10.45am.
Under 16s: Moe v Bairnsdale, 9am.
