Darling it’s better down where it’s wetter.
Long sleeves and chest marks were a prominent feature in Round 5 of the Gippsland League.
Rain ruined most affairs from the view of the spectator, as persistent drizzle and chilly winds well and truly signalled the incoming winter.
SHE was a cold one at Sale Oval on Saturday.
The Magpies and Moe played out a grinding affair in the mud, which was eventually won by the Lions in unspectacular fashion 6.8 (44) to 5.6 (36).
Goals were like gold to both sides, while a win could have been viewed just as valuable as gold for Moe, who finally won a game on Sale Oval for the first time in 21 years.
The Lions’ hoodoo at the venue stretched all the way back to 2002, with 18 consecutive losses between drinks.
However, Moe had to break the drought one day, and that day happened to be Saturday, May 6.
With the area devoted to a turf wicket during cricket season reduced to a mud bath by the time the senior match started, the Magpies and Lions were forced to play out an old fashioned slog.
How quickly things can change – just seven weeks ago that same area would have had one of the hardest and truest surfaces in the region.
The visitors kicked three goals in the opening term, before Sale responded with two of their own after the first break. Scores were virtually level at halftime, with the Lions ahead by one goal.
Spectators got to see a bit more action in the second half, although not from acts involving general play.
A holding the ball decision on Sale midfielder Hayden Potts from Harry Pepper was immediately followed by the same decision greeting Moe veteran Tom Long, who was caught by Sale playing-coach Jack Johnstone.
Long then completed an unwanted trifecta by giving away a 100-metre penalty resulting in a goal, as well as a yellow card after losing his temper.
In a day of firsts, it was Long’s first yellow card in more than 200 senior games.
He left the ground at the two minute mark, and could be spending more time on the side lines this weekend if the tribunal doesn’t look favourably upon his striking charge.
Fortunately for Moe, the weather meant they weren’t too hampered being a man down, and they were able to reply through some good work from Harri Sim and James Blaser setting up Luke Mulqueen to kick a crucial goal from a set shot at the scoreboard end.
The Magpies found a reply, albeit 10 minutes later, when Jarrod Freeman found himself unattended inside 50 and unselfishly kicked it over the top to Jack McLaren who kicked the easiest of goals.
McLaren would end with two majors, and was generally accepted as the best player on the ground from both teams.
With three quarter time approaching and just one point separating the sides, Sim was able to create something out of nothing, kicking a goal out of congestion at the 29 minute mark to see Moe ahead at the final change of ends.
As well as the drought, part of the Lions’ messaging during the week had been about avenging the 142-point embarrassment handed to them by Sale last season.
On the whiteboard before the match, the numbers 21 and 142 were circled in the visitor’s rooms.
Lions coach Declan Keilty sensed the moment, and left his troops with parting words to the effect of “21 years, here is our opportunity”.
Sale started brightly in the last, with star midfielder Shannen Lange bursting through a stoppage two minutes in, only for the kick to go out on the full.
Understandably, conditions by now had become so treacherous it was almost impossible to handle the ball cleanly.
As spectators could hardly see the ball under fading daylight, one can only imagine how the players were doing.
The floodlights were turned on and reached full brightness at the 12-minute mark; from there the game resembled rugby, with repeat stoppages until the final siren blew.
Moe was able to force a number of handy points, which not only gave them breathing space, but also meant it was going to be difficult for Sale to transition the ball from one end of the ground to the other.
Joining McLaren in the best players list was Nathan Whitford, Jayden Allison, Daine McGuiness, Adam Wallace and Jonty McGuiness.
Best for Moe was Scott van Dyk, Grady Cocksedge, James Blaser, Harri Sim, Declan Keilty and Harry Pepper.
Some good cricket talk in the early game as well.
Great to have league umpires in the reserves game. Well done Sale FNC.
YOU’VE had a good run Maffra.
The Eagles now look to be well and truly in a full rebuild stage, after another defeat left them without a win from five starts.
Their most recent defeat however came in perhaps more disappointing circumstances, dropping a game at home to Morwell by 45 points, 13.11 (89) to 7.2 (44).
Heading into the match, most pundits predicted a close result, as both teams desperately needed points to help kick-start their campaign.
The Tigers had suffered an unexpected loss to Warragul the week before, and came to Maffra under severe pressure in what was virtually an elimination final for them.
The Eagles, having played more senior teams in Wonthaggi and Traralgon in previous weeks, were presented with an opponent not too dissimilar in terms of profile, but as the match wore on, it became clear just who was further ahead in the football cycle.
Maffra kicked just one point in the third term, this coming after conceding six goals in the second quarter following a tight opening term.
The visitors meanwhile went on their merry way, scoring twice as many goals after the main break than their opponents.
Adam Braendler kicked four majors for the winners, in what was a great effort considering the choppy conditions.
Sam Walsh was best on ground, while Brandon Bailey, Brandon Mcauliffe, Burkeley Macfarlane and Boyd Bailey were also prominent.
For Maffra, experience led the way in the form of Ben Brunt, John Butcher, Ed Carr, Nathan Pollard, Kieran Jones and Kade Renooy.
ELSEWHERE, the real coronation took place in Leongatha.
The Parrots extended their unbeaten run to 33, and will surely be crowned kings of Gippsland football if they take their record past Maffra’s 45.
Leongatha inflicted maximum damage on Bairnsdale, winning 19.18 (132) to 2.5 (17).
At the moment, there could only be one team that can beat Leongatha – Leongatha themselves.
Wonthaggi got over the line against a determined Drouin, 10.11 (71) to 10.2 (62).
While the visiting Hawks are still yet to win a game, another close loss means they are very much a danger side.
Traralgon defeated Warragul in a fairly tame outing in Traralgon.
The Maroons won 10.17 (77) to 2.17 (29).
Gulls playing coach Jed Lamb could be done for the season with a knee injury.
Watching the footage, the Yarram local appears to land awkwardly, with his left knee buckling at a right angle upon landing.
