Gippsland Times |
SALE scored a fighting four-point win over Morwell, ending the Tigers' unbeaten start to the Gippsland League football season.
It was a tough physical contest played in wet greasy conditions at Sale on Saturday.
At one stage late in the third term, the Magpies had a four-goal break and the Tigers would need luck to run their way to overhaul Sale.
Their lucky break came late in the third term when the Tigers scored from a free kick and 50 metre penalty.
At the last change, Sale led by 22 points.
Another goal from a 50m penalty lifted the Tigers early in the final quarter as they kept coming with Dean MacDonald and Ben Ainsworth were good up forward for the visitors.
Another goal came from a free kick 30m out from goal and when the ball slipped over the pack and the Tigers scored a goal from close range, they led by one point.
The Magpies had led from the first few minutes when John Gooch goaled from the boundary line and they had to fight hard to get the lead back.
They lifted all over the ground and finally they were rewarded when Bailey Tatnell goaled with a banana kick from the boundary line at the Macarthur St end to put the Magpies back in front.
Even as the kick was sailing towards the goal, Magpies fans on the past players' hill were cheering.
The Magpies held on to win 9.9 (63) to Morwell 9.5 (59).
It was the second time Tatnell had set-up a four-point win for Sale this season.
Against Wonthaggi and with the Magpies trailing by two points, Tatnell took off on a bouncing run and slotted a goal from 40m out to set-up the win.
The fighting win was an indication of just how far the Magpies have come in the past month.
Sale went into the game without Luke Collins and Ryan Pendlebury, who had been selected by their VFL teams Richmond and Collingwood.
The Magpies had many good players and everyone contributed to the win.
Justin McLay was in career best form, his ball handling and kicking in the greasy conditions were outstanding.
Tye Morrison has proven to be a good pick-up for Sale as he worked hard to set-up chances for teammates.
Shane Fyfe led a solid defence as usual and Luke Reggardo did well on the wing.
Tatnell is making amazing progress and is one of the most improved players on the team. Kane Martin is quickly picking up form after missing previous matches with a hamstring injury.
Matt Ferguson was good up forward with three goals.
For Morwell, MacDonald kicked three goals and Ainsworth two with Michael J. Duncan, Simon Noy, Adam Bailey and Tom Crosby their best players.
A FOURTEEN-goal to one first quarter set-up Maffra’s 160-point win at Drouin.
Despite missing captain Ben Coleman, Ben Batalha, James Hammill and Brad Caldwell, the Eagles were never troubled by the hapless Hawks.
Darren Sheen kicked 13 goals and Daniel Bedggood six as the Eagles won 27.15 (177) to 2.5 (17). The win boosted the Eagles’ percentage by 26 and consolidated their place in fifth position on the Gippsland League ladder.
Leading by 81 points at quarter-time, the contest was over, with the margin 101 by half-time.
Kel Porter and Michael Coleman led a dominant Maffra midfield, Sam Tudor provided plenty off half-back, while Dan O’Brien was dangerous in attack.
Redlegs relish challenge
BAIRNSDALE withstood a challenge from Moe to win by 65 points.
Leading by 10 points at half-time, the visitor kicked 11 goals to three in the second half to win 17.13 (115) to 8.2 (50).
Luke Dyer and Tomm Bryan were the Redlegs’ better players with Bayden Ashwood kicking three goals.
With three goals, Karl Mutke was the Lions’ best player.
Boost for Parrots
LEONGATHA gave its finals chances a major boost with a 21-point win at Traralgon.
Trailing by 20 points at quarter-time, the Parrots rallied in the second term, booting seven goals to one and lead at each subsequent break to win 15.7 (97) to 10.18 (78).
The Parrots made the most of the Maroons’ wastefulness in attack.
Tom Marriot was the Parrots’ best with Nick Nagel kicking four goals.
No worries for Wonthaggi
WONTHAGGI only conceded two goals at home against Warragul.
The Power won 27.18 (180) to 2.1 (13) with best-on-ground Troy Harley kicking six goals and Aaron Ware and Earl Shaw five each.
