Gippsland: Warragul big guns lift late to beat Traralgon in one-point thriller

Nineteen points down in final term, no problem. Warragul claims its biggest scalp of season. See how the final minutes played out.

Warragul charged home from 19 points down late in the final quarter to beat reigning premier Traralgon by one point in a Gippsland league thriller on Saturday.

Key forward Jordan Stewart’s behind with less than 90 seconds remaining put Warragul in front after star recruit Will Hayes levelled the scores with a brilliant goal on the run from 45m out moments earlier.

Stewart kicked four goals, including two in the last term, and defender Sean Masterson also took some crucial saving marks in the final quarter to hold Traralgon out.

The Gulls’ midfield brigade of Hayes, Tom Hobbs, Isaac Wallace and ruckman Sam Whibley all lifted in the vital final minutes and Masterson had great support from fellow backman Patrick Mulqueen.

Warragul has won seven of its last eight matches to draw level on nine wins with third-placed Traralgon.

Equalising goal - the horse trainer outstanding last 3 minutes . Class prevailed 👌👌
W Hayes 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/dVwGMsaaCA

— Manny Gelagotis 🐎⚽️🇬🇷🇦🇺 (@hvasstan) July 26, 2025

The Gulls haven’t won a flag since 2003 when they played in the West Gippsland league with their last Gippsland flag being in 1984.

The two competitions merged in 2005.

Warragul has to play ladder leaders Leongatha and second-place Moe in the last month of the season.

The Gulls jumped Traralgon with a six goals to two in the first term before Traralgon cut the margin to only five points at halftime.

Traralgon outscored Warragul in the third quarter to lead by six points at last change and seemingly had the match won when Tate Marsh put the Maroons 18 points up midway through the last term.

WIMMERA

Stawell downed top-three rival Nhill by five points in a low-scoring scrap to remain on track to claim the double chance.

Second-placed Nhill led by two points at quarter time and halftime before both teams were level at the last change.

Stawell was at risk of blowing more scoring opportunities in the tough conditions, but Lucky Ika kicked the last two goals of the game to ensure a Warriors victory.

Captain Sam Williams also kicked two goals for Stawell and Zachary Marrow and ruckman Josh Fowkes other important players in the victory.

Frazer Driscoll played his best match since returning to Nhill before the June 30 clearance deadline from SANFL club North Adelaide.

Frazer Driscoll playing for North Adelaide last year. He has returned to Nhill for the remainder of the season. (SANFL Image/David Mariuz)

Darcy Honeyman and Lucas Dahlenburg were also in the best players for Nhill, which plays flag favourites Ararat in the final round.

Undefeated Ararat survived one of its biggest scares this season to come from behind at the last change to beat Southern Mallee Thunder by 25 points.

Ararat played an entire team of one-pointers against Thunder with Harry Ganley, Ben Taylor and Henry Shea among the best players.

Thunder coach Kieran Delahunty played his second match on the comeback trail from a serious leg injury he suffered in mid-May.

Thunder is holding onto fifth spot ahead on Dimboola due to percentage, but has a match in hand in the run home.

EAST GIPPSLAND

Orbost-Snowy Rovers have brought flag favourite Lucknow’s unbeaten run this season to an end with a 10-point win, but could still miss finals.

League best and fairest contender Charles Mein, Max Welsh and veteran ruckman Wes Russell kicked goals late in the last term to seal Orbost-Snowy Rovers’ best win of the season.

Orbost-Snowy Rovers have won their last five matches since a potentially costly defeat to out-of-contention Lakes Entrance in round 8.

They are one win and percentage behind fourth-placed Stratford with four rounds remaining including a showdown against reigning premier Boidale-Briagolong next round.

Lucknow responded to losing to Boisdale-Briagolong in last year’s grand final with an 11-match winning streak.

Lucknow was missing star recruit Link McKenna due to a hamstring injury.

BENDIGO

Gisborne boosted its chances of a top-spot finish and a possible farewell flag with an emphatic 37-point win against reigning premiers Sandhurst in tough conditions on Saturday.

Sandhurst beat Gisborne in the grand final last year, but Gisborne has won both encounters in 2025 with another one to come in the last round that could decide the minor premiership in a season shortened to 16 rounds due to Maryborough going into recess.

Saturday’s match could have also been the last time Gisborne hosted Sandhurst.

The Bulldogs have applied to join the Ballarat league next year and the round 16 clash and finals will be played at the Dragons’ home ground, the Queen Elizabeth Oval.

Gisborne coach Rob Waters. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

Sandhurst led at quarter time, but Gisborne kicked 10 goals to three for the remainder of the match to run out comfortable winners.

Matt Merrett’s second goal for the match and another soon after to Pat McKenna early in the final quarter sealed the win.

McKenna finished with four goals as Jack Reaper, Zachary Vescovi, James Gray and Brad Bernacki all played starring roles.