Gippsland Times |
FOLLOWING a slow start, Sale gradually drew away from a persistent Traralgon to win its Gippsland League football match by 55 points.
The Magpies took home the Peter Hug Trophy for the fourth consecutive time with the 16.12 (108) to 7.11 (53) victory at Traralgon.
The match was expected to be of high standard, however spectators were disappointed to watch both sides make many skill errors as they frequently turned the ball over in the breezy conditions.
At quarter-time the Magpies, who had worked hard to gain little result, deservedly received a rare pay-out from coach Matt Ferguson for wasting opportunities.
The half-time score of Sale 5.8 (38) to Traralgon 2.8 (20) was indicative of what had taken place as players on both sides had fumbled and misused the ball.
The Magpies eventually stamped their authority on the game in the third quarter when they moved into top gear and stretched the Maroons' defence to pile on five consecutive goals before the home side broke through the tight Sale defence to score a rare major.
The Magpies then kicked another three goals to go into the final break with a commanding 55-point lead.
Sale looked much better when it ran in straight lines and played through the corridor.
In an even final quarter each side kicked 2.2, but the damage had been done and the game was well and truly in the Magpies' keeping.
Sale's dominance came about mainly through winning the stoppages and holding sway at the centre clearances 13 to 7, with ruckmen Jack Lipman and Peter Macfarlane gradually getting on top of Traralgon's Joe Caldwell.
In a best-on-ground four-quarter performance, Luke Collins was at his brilliant best. The reigning Trood Award and Rodda Medallist had more than 30 possessions and also contributed three important goals.
Another highlight of the Magpies win was Kane Martin's three goals kicked from outside the 50 meter arc.
As expected, the tight Sale defence shut down the opposition forwards, keeping Traralgon to seven goals, so far the Maroons' lowest goal tally for the season.
Joel Wallace and Chris Laverty were again in fine touch and were ably assisted by Michael Walsh, who played his best game since joining the Magpies.
Traralgon went into the game short of tall timber, placing a heavy load on its defenders. Captain Jaime Aitken and Adrian Slotje tried desperately to stop the Sale forward dominance but to no avail.
The Maroons' Matt Lewellin and Tim Northe made useful contributions around the ground and Michael Geary, Danny Campbell and Jackson Hall had minor influence up forward, but the home side was generally outclassed on the day.
Power rises
WONTHAGGI leapfrogged Morwell into second place on the ladder after upsetting the Tigers by 16 points.
Undefeated after eight rounds, the Morwell has now lost its past two matches.
In a low-scoring game, the visitors narrowly won each of the first three quarters on its way to a 21-point lead at the final change. Despite the Tigers, who had former Collingwood player Tarkyn Lockyer back in the side, kicking three goals to two in the fouth term, the Power won 10.13 (73) to 8.9 (57).
Aaron Guilmartin was the Power's best player, with Dominic O'Connor kicking three goals.
Defender Jack Brown was the Tigers' best.
Hoodoo broken
BAIRNSDALE is only outside the top four on percentage following its first win at Leongatha since 1984.
It was close all day, but the Redlegs had the better of the second half, kicking nine goals to five on their way to a 14.7 (91) to 11.10 (76) victory.
Kane Ashwood and Stephen Henshaw used the ball well around the ground, with captain James Gibbs kicking five goals and Nick George three.
Jason Tomada worked hard in the ruck for Leongatha, while Chris Verboon and Aaron Hillberg kicked three goals each.
Gulls win derby
WARRAGUL claimed local bragging rights over Drouin, and kept its finals hopes alive, with a 12.10 (82) to 10.12 (72) win on Sunday.
A six-goal to one third term proved the difference, though the Hawks did respond with four goals to one in the fourth quarter.
Callum Shiels kicked five goals in a best-on-ground performance for the Gulls, while Shaun Phelan played well for the Hawks.
