Gippsland, Hampden, Murray: Moe upsets flag favourites Leongatha
Gippsland was home to shock results and tight finishes with the Murray league producing even more. See results from across the state.
Leongatha slumped to only its second loss this season with Moe beating the premiers of the past two seasons by 11 points on Saturday.
The Lions’ upset win underlined the Gippsland league’s status as the most even in the state with two other matches decided by five and six points and Wonthaggi resurrecting its hopes of playing finals with a 49-point victory over fifth-placed Sale.
Last season Moe ended Leongatha’s 34-match winning streak and coach Declan Keilty led from the front again in the latest victory.
Moe pulled away with a four goal to one third term to lead by 15 points before withstanding the inevitable fightback from Leongatha in the last quarter.
Keilty went forward and kicked two important goals for Moe as did Tom Blackshaw and Jacob Balfour.
Leongatha missed the drive of star midfielder Tom Marriott, who was best-on-ground the previous week against Maffra.
Wonthaggi’s line-up was bolstered by the addition of Nathan Brown, who played alongside Wonthaggi coach Jarryd Blair in Collingwood’s 2010 premiership team.
Wonthaggi debut today for premiership Maggie Nathan Brown, alongside his AFL teammate Jarryd Blair. 'Thaggi defeated Sale by 49 points. Pic: @jacquesyy World of Photography pic.twitter.com/XAH56FWSjv
— Paul Amy (@PaulAmy375) June 22, 2024
Wonthaggi also had the services of Ryan Sparkes due to a VFL bye and he produced a starring role in the win that was set up with a five goals to one first term.
Wonthaggi has moved to only win behind Sale in fifth spot as a result of four wins in a row including two by six and three points.
Morwell beat Bairnsdale by five points with Bairnsdale missing a late shot that would have tied the scores with less than a minute to play.
Last week Bairnsdale also blew late chances to down second-placed Traralgon and has lost four matches by 10 points or less this season.
Drouin defeated Maffra by six points in the other close match of the round.
HAMPDEN
North Warrnambool ended reigning premier South Warrnambool’s with a crushing 70-point win on Saturday.
South had won its first 10 matches of the season after beating North in last year’s grand final.
South wasted chances in the first term and North pounced to extend a 10-point lead at quarter time into a 29-point buffer at halftime.
North kicked two goals to none in the second term with one following a brilliant one-handed juggling mark by coach Nathan Vardy, who finished with three goals.
But the star for North was classy midfielder Jett Bermingham along with Angus Noske and Bailey Jenkinson.
Star player Jay Rantall missed for South after receiving a call-up from VFL club Werribee.
North has lost only two matches for the season with its other defeat being against Koroit.
Warrnambool beat Koroit by only two points in another match-up between two top-five teams.
Star Warrnambool Ben Cunnington kicked three goals for the victors to have 26 for the season.
MURRAY
An already captivating premiership race has been dealt a major curve ball with five teams in the top-six involved in two draws and another match decided by one point on Saturday.
Ladder leader Congupna cruised to a 59-point win against Echuca United, but elsewhere out-of-contention Numurkah forced a 10.8 (68) apiece draw with third-placed Moama.
Finals contenders Finley and Nathalia finished locked together on 82 points with Nathalia left to rue five more scoring chances.
Reigning premiers Mulwala had the ball deep in its forward line when the siren sounded with Cobram hanging on for a one-point win.
Jarrod Holmes kicked three crucial goals for Numurkah which came from seven points down at the last change to level the scores at the finish.
Midfielder Bailey Bell booted six goals for Nathalia and Zac Brain booted five goals for Finley in their drawn match.
Jackson Trengove was the star for Cobram with six goals in its thrilling win against Mulwala.
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