Gippsland: Wonthaggi holds for thrilling win against Moe

The Gippsland league is headed for an exciting finale with three teams with genuine premiership credentials. See who is in the hunt.

Wonthaggi has withstood a spirited fightback from Moe to claim a one-point victory in the battle between the two biggest threats to reigning Gippsland league premier Leongatha on Saturday.

The Power led by 34 points early in the second term before Moe cut the margin to only three points at three quarter time.

Wonthaggi steadied with the first goal of the final term when forward Jack Hutchinson was the beneficiary of a downfield free kick, but Moe mounted one final charge.

Jordan Wood snapped a goal at the 25-minute mark to make the margin only two points before defender Scott van Dyk had a chance to put the Lions in front for the first time.

But his set shot from 45m out narrowly missed and Wonthaggi closed out one of the best matches of the season.

Wonthaggi coach Jarryd Blair has the Power well placed for an assault on the Gippsland league premiership. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Cooper McInnes was instrumental in setting up Wonthaggi’s big early lead when he kicked three of his four goals for the match before halftime and coach Jarryd Blair had some telling touches.

Billy Gowers sparked Moe into action with two goals in quick succession in the second term, but lowered his colours on the day to Power defender Jordan Staley.

Leongatha remains on top of the ladder following a 147-point thrashing of Warragul on a day when the Gulls forfeited its reserves match.

Wonthaggi sits second ahead of Moe and plays Leongatha following next week’s general bye.

Moe recently ended Leongatha’s 34-match winning streak.

Wonthaggi finished second at the end of the home and away rounds last year and lost to Leongatha in the second semi-final by only four points before its season ended abruptly with defeat in the preliminary final.

OVENS AND KING

Greta forward Frazer Judd kicked the only three goals scored in the last term to ensure its unbeaten record remained intact with a thrilling three-point victory over Milawa.

The Blues were staring at their first loss of the season when they trailed by 15 points at three quarter time before Judd emerged as the matchwinner.

His third goal of the final quarter to put the Blues back in front came with less than two minutes left to play.

Greta coach Greg Newbold. Picture: Supplied

Judd finished with five goals to be among Greta’s best players along with Lachie Kennett, Tom Rosser and Zac Northey.

Steve Williamson booted four goals for Milawa which went into the match without one of its prime movers, Ben Clarke, due to injury.

Daniel Bihun and ruckman Brent Newton played for Milawa, which sits fourth on the ladder.

EAST GIPPSLAND

Way Yung’s nine-match winning streak to start the season has come to an end with Boisdale-Briagolong scoring an 18-point victory.

Boisdale-Briagolong broke the match open in the second quarter when it kicked seven goals to one.

Tom Jolly, who joined Boisdale-Briagolong from Maffra this season, starred for the Bombers with four goals and Western Australian recruits Tom Bradshaw and Caleb Calwyn were also among the best.

Calwyn also booted four goals to take his season to tally to 47 to be a clear leader on the league goal kicking table.

Originally published as Gippsland: Wonthaggi holds for thrilling win against Moe