Match Reviews | THE Gippsland League’s top five teams of 2026 are falling into place, with Moe establishing a lead over Drouin in the minor premiership race, while fifth-placed Wonthaggi gained an advantage over Maffra after round 15.

A win for Moe and a draw for Drouin gave the Lions the upper hand in the minor premiership battle, which Moe is defending alongside the premiership as it looks to secure a historic fourth consecutive flag.

The Hawks, until recently, had been the benchmark team this season. But Bairnsdale, the consistent third-ranked side all year, rose to the challenge on Saturday.

The sides drew 38-all after the Redlegs mounted a remarkable fourth-quarter comeback, erasing a seven-goal three-quarter-time deficit.

Defender Sally Deller was praised for restricting Drouin goal shooter Charlize Traumanis, while Bairnsdale captain Alison Dwyer kept Drouin’s Stacie Gardiner quiet in goal attack.

The Hawks led for the opening three quarters, most comfortably after a 12-goal-to-seven first-term effort.

But the Redlegs kept chipping away, applying pressure and forcing turnovers as they nearly matched the Hawks through the second and third terms.

Then came the final quarter, when the Redlegs sent a message to the competition; they might have to settle for third place, but come finals the slate is cleared.

A 12-goal-to-five final term saw Chloe Felsbourg and Anna Mooney capitalise on the Redlegs’ intense defensive pressure.

Felsbourg joined Deller and Dwyer on Bairnsdale’s list of top contributors.

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