Liam Durkin
MOE put together a good performance away from home in Round 2 of Gippsland League football, defeating Maffra by 43 points.
The Lions won 9.15 (69) to 3.8 (26), making it their first win at the Eagles’ nest in a decade.
Maffra was also kept to three goals for the second week in a row, and is now zero-wins, two-losses for the first time since 1998.
The Eagles used the day to unfurl their senior and reserve grade premiership flags from 2019, but that is where the enjoyment ended for those wearing red and black, as Moe controlled the majority of the four quarters.
Moe got going in the second term, piling on five goals to one to set up a 33-point lead at the main break.
After half-time the Lions kicked a further three goals, before a dour final term saw no goals kicked by either team.
Moe’s aerial dominance was telling, with players such as Simon Harris and Kristian Jaksch taking strong marks forward of centre.
Jaksch finished with four goals, while Riley Baldi was the terrific, with his poise and presence of mind setting up numerous forward entries.
All in all, the phrase ‘dismantled the opposition’ would probably be the most accurate description of how Moe won the match.
Maffra was well serviced by Danny Butcher in his 100th senior match, along with Kade Renooy and veteran Winston Gieschen.
The Eagles were down on some key personnel, and given recent history, are unlikely to be too worried about a Round 2 result.
Moe vice-captain Jordan Ceppi said he felt the game was reflective of the clearance statistics, which Moe won 25 to 16 around the ground and 12 to two in the centre.
“The big thing for us was we won the midfield contest,” he said.
“That was the big emphasis of this week, to work harder than they do and once the ball is out of our area that we leave the stoppage first and leave them behind.
“We only afforded them to put it in long through dump kicks which enabled our backs to pick them off and rebound and come back the other way.
“I thought our backs stood up really well.”
Moe had a debutant on the day, with Joe Skinner playing his first game.
Joe, the brother of former Brisbane Lion Sam, was given a debut to remember with victory over the reigning premier.
Earlier in the day there was another milestone, with Jayden Van Dyk playing his 100th match for the Lions.
A healthy crowd made its way to Maffra, helped by the fact the East Gippsland Football-Netball League does not start until next week, meaning many supporters from clubs such as Boisdale-Briagolong and Stratford were in attendance.
Moe players capped off the performance with dinner at the Newry Pub, regaling the day’s events and various happenings on the field of play.
ELSEWHERE, Sale broke away from Bairnsdale in the last quarter to win by 19 points at Bairnsdale City Oval.
The Redlegs were six points ahead at three quarter time, but faded dreadfully in the last, as the Magpies kicked 4.1 to one behind.
Jack Johnstone was best on for the winners, while Jordan Dowsett, Jordan Dessent, Shannen Lange, Jarrod Freeman and Daine McGuiness played well.
The long sleeve wearing Brayden McCarrey kicked four goals for Bairnsdale in a best on ground performance. Josh Wykes, Matt Corbett, Ethan East, Link Robinson and Jesse Glassborow also chipped in.
DROUIN won the local derby yesterday, defeating Warragul by 29 points at home.
The Hawks kicked away after an even first half, scoring nine goals to five.
Best for Drouin were Tim Hancock, Ryan Taylor, Matt Stevens, Bailey Beck, Ed Morris and Cam McPhan.
Sam Whibley, Nick Mulqueen, Tom Hobbs, Mitch Nobelius, Brad Hefford and Sean Masterson battled hard for the Gulls.
WONTHAGGI again made people sit up and take notice, rolling Leongatha by 11 points on their home deck yesterday.
The Power and Parrots were all square at the last change, but a three-goal final term from Wonthaggi made sure of the points.
Fergus O’Connor, Tim Knowles, Toma Huther, Steven Scott, Aidan Lindsay and Jack Blair stood out for Wonthaggi, while Chris Verboon, Cameron Olden, Jake Van Der Plight, Aaron Heppell, Ben Willis and Tom Marriott were best for Leongatha.
Round 2 concludes this Saturday, with Morwell and Traralgon playing a blockbuster Anzac weekend clash under lights at Morwell.
