Gippsland: Leongatha and Wonthaggi meet in second semi-final
A “very intense rivalry” will be on display again when Leongatha and Wonthaggi meet with a grand final berth on the line. Full finals coverage here.
SOUTH GIPPSLAND FOES FIGHT FOR FINALS BERTH
Leongatha, the only major league team in the state to go through the season undefeated, plays arch rival Wonthaggi on Saturday for the first time in a finals match since the latter returned to the Gippsland league 12 years ago.
They meet in the second semi-final after Wonthaggi set up a clash between the South Gippsland powerhouses by beating Sale in the qualifying final last Saturday.
Koroit, Echuca, Wangaratta and Kerang have lost at least one match in their respective major leagues this season with Leongatha finishing 20 premiership points clear of Wonthaggi at the end of the home and away season.
But first-year Leongatha coach Trent McMicking said the five-game buffer was deceptive.
“I wouldn’t be wanting to say we’re a five-game better side than anyone else,” he said.
“We’ve had moments in the year where we’ve had to come from behind and really been tested.”
Traralgon pushed Leongatha both times they played and Traralgon stayed in the flag race by beating Morwell last Sunday.
Leongatha was on top of the ladder when Covid brought last season to a halt with McMicking taking over from 2018 premiership coach Paul Carbis.
“They were after someone living locally I think,” he said.
“Obviously with the Covid stuff hanging over everyone’s’ head it was something the club weighed up.
“It’s been a lucky spot to find myself.”
He has taken over a team in the sweet spot for more success with proven performers including Tom Marriott and Aaron Heppell, the return of key defender Matt Willcocks from Vermont and an exciting crop of homegrown talent.
Leongatha thrashed Wonthaggi by 56 points the last time the two teams met.
“It’s a very intense rivalry,” McMicking said.
“A lot of us are friends and also work together, but when the footy comes it’s game on with the two biggest clubs in South Gippsland both after the title.”
Wonthaggi is coached by former Collingwood player Jarryd Blair.
Wonthaggi Power is the result of a merger between Wonthaggi Blues and Wonthaggi Rovers and initially played in the defunct Alberton league before being ordered to play in Gippsland’s major league.
The merged club lost the 2014 grand final to Morwell.
WENTWORTH RECAPTURES WINNING WAYS
Wentworth has overcome a shaky finish to the Sunraysia league season to advance directly into the grand final with a 22-point win against Irymple in the second semi-final on Saturday.
Wentworth was on an 11-match winning streak until stumbling late with losses to Irymple, Imperials and Red Cliffs in successive weeks followed by another defeat to Robinvale-Euston in the last round.
Irymple bumped Wentworth from top spot, but the tables were turned on their round 14 clash when Wentworth produced a matchwinning first quarter in the semi-final, kicking five goals to one, and was never headed.
Teenager Jack Cottrell and recruit Jackson Ferguson dominated in the midfield and Andrew Wall was thrown forward with impact.
Coach Wade Hancock also stepped up with five goals for Wentworth.
“It all clicked,” Hancock said.
“We went 11-0 for a reason, we’ve got the talent, the method and structure and game plan.
“It’s more just the individuals backing themselves in to deliver.”
Irymple plays Ouyen United in Saturday’s preliminary final with both teams having key players under injury clouds.
Dallas Willsmore and Kaine Stevens were stars in Ouyen United’s come-from-behind win against Robinvale-Euston, but Ouyen United coach Brad Vallance left the ground early with a suspected hamstring injury.
Irymple co-coach and star midfielder Daniel Coghlan hasn’t played since round eight when he broke his leg.
ECHUCA UNDEFEATED RUN HALTED ON EVE OF FINALS
Echuca was given a timely reality check heading into the Goulburn Valley league finals series when it was rolled by Mooroopna, which had to win to make the September action.
Echuca had not lost all season and kicked the first four goals of the final round match.
It still finished on top of the ladder and plays Mansfield in the qualifying final on Saturday, but has star recruit Sam Reid in doubt after he sat out the second half of the match with a slight hamstring injury.
“They were playing for a finals spot, we were a fraction off,” Echuca co-coach Simon Maddox said.
“It highlights if you’re 10 per cent off, you will get beaten by anybody.
“They kicked some great goals from out near the boundary and we missed some easy ones.
“Mooroopna showed it was very deserving of a finals spot.”
Mooroopna, which hasn’t played finals since 2014, fought back nine points down at halftime to win by six points with Chris Nield booting six goals.
Mid-season recruit Jackson Trengove kicked two crucial goals for Mooroopna, which had been in the top six all year and had to win to hold out Seymour, which missed out on finals by 0.19 per cent.
Maddox said Reid, who was recruited from Greater Western Sydney this season to play alongside brother Ben, was touch and go whether he played against Mansfield.
“He hasn’t torn it. It was just really tight,” Maddox said.
“Whether he plays this week or next we won’t know for a few days.”
Reid was seriously injured in the first round against Rochester and only resumed playing five weeks ago.
Echuca will welcome back Ben Reid, Cam Valentine and Mitch Wales for the qualifying final against Mansfield, which thrashed Tatura in the last round by 119 points.
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