Gippsland: Bairnsdale storms into top five with big win over Sale

Bairnsdale has not played finals since 2014, but with a big win against Sale, the drought could be about to break.

Bairnsdale boosted its chances of ending a decade-long finals drought in the Gippsland league by demolishing Sale by 61 points on Saturday.

Inspired by brilliant performances from onballer Lachlan Byrne-Jones and livewire forward Brayden McCarrey, Bairnsdale booted the first five goals of the match before absorbing a second term revival from Sale and then taking control after halftime.

McCarrey had six goals at halftime and finished with eight to be the competition’s leading goalkicker at the halfway mark of the season with 33.

The record of 10 for most goals kicked by a Bairnsdale player against Sale held by David Preston was set in the same year the Redlegs last played finals in 2014.

Bairnsdale revelled in the wet and greasy conditions to rise to fourth place on the ladder with Sale slipping to fifth.

Midfielder Will Mitchell also was prominent for Bairnsdale and Ricky Tatnell, playing his 100th senior match, was part of a tight-knit backline led by coach Logan Austin.

Leongatha’s Jackson Harry soars for a mark against Drouin on Saturday. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Bairnsdale has extra incentive to make finals with the club staging the elimination final this season.

Sale stars Shannen Lange, Hudson Holmes and Jack Leslie were among the Magpies best players with the visitors missing suspended pair Jack Johnstone and Will Leslie.

Maffra put a massive dent in Warragul’s finals aspirations with its first win of the season by 21 points and Moe beat Wonthaggi by only three points.

Leongatha downed Drouin by 65 points with Jenson Garnham booting eight goals for the reigning premiers.

MURRAY

Finley climbed to second spot at the halfway mark of the season with a thrilling come-from-behind win against arch rival Deniliquin on Saturday.

After stunning Deniliquin in the season opener, Finley trailed by 18 points at halftime and were still two goals down at the last change.

But two early goals at the start of the final quarter stirred Finley into action before hanging on for a 10-point victory.

Jake Maconachie and Cruz Nash booted telling goals in the last term and Finley was also helped by important defensive contributions from Angus Robertson and Zach Brain.

Onballer Luke Moore also played well when the match was on the line and Tom Lang finished with three goals in the low-scoring match.

Finley is sitting second on the ladder, sandwiched between the two teams that have played off in the last two grand finals, Congupna and Mulwala.

Finley coach Jordan Taylor returned from injury against Deniliquin. Picture Supplied

Finley welcomed back coach Jordan Taylor after a two-month absence due to injury.

Star recruit Mark Whiley recently underwent ankle surgery and Finley is still hopeful he will be back for a finals charge.

Kayden Sharp, who has returned to Finley from stints with Mulwala and Yarrawonga, will also return from injury in the second half of the season.

Congupna beat reigning premier Mulwala for the second time this season with a 17-point win.

Congupna kicked the first five goals of the match before Mulwala fought back to trail by only three at halftime.

After booting six goals last time the two teams met, Congupna star recruit Kyle Mueller was restricted to one and prime mover Billy Cooper was also well held.

GOULBURN VALLEY

Benalla coach Jarrad Waite helped lift his team off the bottom of the ladder with a matchwinning goal late in an upset win against Shepparton Swans on Saturday.

Benalla led by almost three goals midway through the last term before the Swans briefly hit the front.

Waite sealed the three-point win with his third goal of the match that also saw former coach and Morrison Medal winner Will Martiniello play his first game of the season and be an important contributor in the victory.

Nick Mellington starred in the midfield for Benalla which has leapfrogged Seymour and Tatura on the ladder after playing a draw with Shepparton United in round 3.

Ladder leaders Shepparton Bears and second-placed Echuca tuned up for their next round blockbuster with wins over Kyabram and Tatura.