MAFFRA’S task of rebounding from last weekend’s shock loss won’t an easy one as it will host an in-form Leongatha tomorrow in round four of Gippsland League football.
This match could be the Parrots’ best chance of snapping a 22-game winless run against the Eagles, stretching back to 2003. Their last win at Maffra came in 1999.
It was long said Warragul was going to get its act together and claim a major scalp, it just happened to be Maffra, who will need to play four quarters to quality football to return to the winners’ list.
The Eagles began well against the Gulls, kicking five goals to two in the first term, but could not kick a major until their fourth quarter comeback.
During the second and third terms Warragul took control of the midfield battle and was able to turn a 12-point deficit into a 21-point lead at three-quarter-time. The Eagles were able to reclaim the lead during the final term, but the Gulls held out strong to win by two points.
While Daniel Bedggood kicked four goals and Daniel Stubbe was able to make an impact, the fact Adrian Burgiel and Jack Tatterson were kept goalless was telling.
A poor start tomorrow could extinguish the Eagles’ hopes of victory. It was the Parrots’ solid first half which laid the foundation for their win against Morwell last weekend.
Having begun the season with wins against Wonthaggi, Traralgon and Morwell, the Parrots, boasting players such as Will Thursfield, Tas Clingan and David Gourdis, should not be underestimated.
SALE faces a long trip to Wonthaggi to face the Power.
It is hard to see a repeat of the Magpies’ massive victories over the past three weeks against the Power, who has begun the season with two victories, although those wins weren’t as comprehensive as expected.
Magpies coach Matt Ferguson may be looking forward to the prospect of taking on Wonthaggi, against whom he kicked 18 goals in the two matches last year. Ferguson already leads the league goalkicking by 10 after just three rounds.
Sale thrashed Drouin, not conceding a goal until the final term The Magpies’ defence were virtually impenetrate all day as Christ Laverty and Jordan Dessent set up attack off half-back.
The Power had to work hard for victory at Moe last week, but are beginning to see its new recruits gel into the side.
TRARALGON will look to get back on track after two consecutive defeat when it hosts Moe.
The Maroons felt the affects of injuries to key players in recent weeks with coach Josh Jennings and Michael Geary missing last week’s 63-point loss at Bairnsdale. During the match Tom McQualter and Nic Quenault injuried their hamstrings and Ash Thornton injured his knee during the match, leaving the Maroons without any fit players on the bench.
The Redlegs were able to overrun the Maroons in the second half.
The Lions weren’t not disgraced by Wonthaggi last weekend.
With Warragul’s upset win over Maffra, the Lions are now the only side yet to record a win this season.
MORWELL will host Bairnsdale, encouraged by its performance at Leongatha.
The Tigers outscored the Parrots in the final term in losing by 40 points, but will need to begin well tomorrow to avoid playing catch-up footy.
The Redlegs will want to continue the form which help them to an emphatic win over Traralgon, when they made the most of the Maroons lack of fitness.
FRESH of defeating one finalist, Warragul will play another on Sunday, local rival Drouin.
The Hawks have won their past four matches against the Gulls, restricting them to very low scores, including just two behinds in 2010. But things could be different this Sunday as the Gulls shocked Maffra at home, while Drouin put in one of its poorest performances for years at Sale.
