Gippsland: Moe maxes the points cap in bid to break flag drought

The race for country footy flags is heating up and so is the challenge of fitting players under the player points cap.

Flag favourite Moe is embracing a player points squeeze that has emerged in the early rounds of the Gippsland league season.

Desperate to end one of country footy’s longest premiership droughts dating back to 1967, Moe topped up in the off-season with six-pointer Ben Crocker and another player with recent AFL experience, Myles Poholke, who is a three-pointer.

Last Saturday, Moe again played on its maximum 39 points with Frankston VFL captain Tom Murphy making his senior debut as a five-pointer.

Another recent addition to the team, Nathan Scagliarini, is another three-pointer.

“We knew we were going to have a points problem when the season started,” Moe coach Leigh Poholke said.

“But hopefully we’ll have the same problem come the end of the year.

“If we’ve got a points issue come grand final day we’ve got a healthy list.

“Everyone is well aware of where they sit and what has to happen in certain weeks when people are available or unavailable.”

Former AFL player Ben Crocker has joined Moe this season as a six-point player. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Photos/via Getty Images)

Poholke is also a three-point player, but hasn’t played since booting five goals in round 1.

Moe isn’t the only country club dealing with a points squeeze.

After winning two flags using only 27 points and another with 29 in the last three years, Goulburn Valley powerhouse Echuca found itself in rare territory last Saturday when its maximum 37 points were used for the first time.

A major run of serious injuries to players including Sam and Ben Reid, Aiden Mills, Jack McHale and Cam Valentine, has forced Echuca to turn to recruits Lachlan Hogan, Hudson Kellett, Mitchell Bell and Josh Hoffman, who are all four-pointers.

Ovens & Murray reigning premier Wangaratta Rovers have played on its limit of 36 points three times in the opening six rounds.

The O&M moved to a “sliding scale” points system this season and Rovers lost four points after winning its first flag in 30 years.

Former Carlton player Lochie O'Brien is in his second season at Wangaratta Rovers. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Former Carlton player Lochie O’Brien is the Rovers’ highest points player on five in his second season with the club and onballer Charlie Thompson has returned to the club as a four-pointer.

Rival club North Albury was hit harder by the change with seven less points this season.

It is pushing its revised limit most rounds with the addition of Goulburn Valley best and fairest Ben Rigoni, who is a five-point player.

North Albury has another nine points tied up in Riverina recruits, Kane Flack, James Pope and James Mooney.