Wonthaggi v Sale: Debutant provides spark for flag contender

A first gamer who played at VFL level propelled Wonthaggi to a stirring victory. See all the highlights and leading goalkickers from round one.

David Johnston

4 min read

April 5, 2022 - 12:34PM

The Weekly Times

Wonthaggi coach Jarryd Blair’s fears of a “massive danger match” materialised when the Power was forced to come from behind to beat Sale by eight points in the Gippsland Football League season opener on Saturday.

Goalless to halftime and still trailing by 21 points midway through the third quarter, the Power closed the gap to eight points at three-quarter time before the Magpies rallied again at the start of the last term to restore a 20-point buffer in blustery conditions at Wonthaggi.

Providing the sorely needed inspiration for the Power was Inverloch-Kongwak recruit Ryan Sparkes, whose back-to-back goals firstly levelled the scores and then put the home team in front.

He then laid a strong tackle on Sale’s best player on the ground, Shannen Lange, to halt a Magpies charge on goal.

Blair said the 20-year-old who played for VFL team Casey last year was set to make his mark on the GFL.

“He’s a real classy outfit,” he said.

“He wanted to play locally and some of his best mates play for us.

Gutsy win by Wonthaggi Power at home. Down by 21 points, charged home to win by nine. Ryan Sparkes huge last term. @theweeklytimes @GippslandFooty pic.twitter.com/o9EQ99rT5L
— David Johnston (@david_johnston5) April 2, 2022

“He didn’t miss a session over summer and the way he trains is AFL standard.”

Sale star Shannen Lange battles for the ball with Wonthaggi’s Tim Knowles. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Blair, who was also among Power’s best in the midfield, was thrilled with the win.

“We knew today was a massive danger game,” he said.

“When you’ve got any midfield with the likes of Shannen Lange and Jack Johnstone, Ryan Pendlebury off halfback plus the Leslie brothers it was all always going to be a tough day.”

Lange, the reigning Trood Award Rodda Medal winner, booted three goals in a standout performance, but suffered from cramp late in the match.

Sale coach Jack Johnstone said his team ran out of legs late.

Sale coach Jack Johnstone asks his players for a lift. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

The Magpies face another major test at home on Saturday against Leongatha with the Parrots and Wonthaggi occupying first and second on the ladder when Covid returned last year.

“We set ourselves to win,” Johnstone said.

“Obviously with Jarryd as coach they bring that AFL-like intensity and we knew we had to match that and I felt we did that for a large portion of the game.

“It’s a tough two weeks, but we take a lot away from a game like this.”

Wonthaggi player Tom Davey and Sale’s Jesse Collins battle for the ball. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Johnstone was also among Sale’s best along with key defender Jack Leslie and Kane Martin, who kicked two classy goals in the tough conditions.

The Magpies suffered a major blow on the eve of the season with captain of recent years, Jordan Dessent, snapping his Achilles and ruled out for the season.

“He has been our captain for the last three or four years and had set himself for a big year,” Johnstone said.

“He is a really high-level player and even better bloke so we’re gutted to lose him.”

It was the first time the two teams had played since 2019 after two years interrupted by Covid.

In other first round matches, new Maffra coach Anthony Robbins started with a decisive 80-point win against Drouin, Leongatha came from behind at three quarter time to down Traralgon by seven points, Morwell also powered home late to beat Bairnsdale by 12 points and Moe defeated Warragul by 35 points.

OVENS AND MURRAY:

Albury is staring at a 0-2 start to the season for the first time since 2007 after being ruthlessly taken apart by Wangaratta in the first round of the Ovens and Murray league.

The much anticipated clash between the Tigers, who were undefeated in 13 matches when Covid struck last year, and the Magpies was over at quarter time when Wangaratta raced to a 48-point lead before winning by 54 points.

First year coach and former Collingwood player Ben Reid exposed the Tigers lack of tall options down back by kicking five goals and midfielder Jackson Clarke starred in his comeback match for the Magpies. Albury faces a resurgent Wodonga in round two with the Bulldogs being one of the most active in the off-season with Angus Baker and Alex Smout among the additions. Wodonga had the chance to bring Albury’s winning streak last year to an end, but first year coach Jordan Taylor’s shot from close range shaved the post.

Albury won seven flags between 2001 and 2018 with its recent being against Wangaratta.

Hampden league flag contenders Koroit and North Warrnambool tuned up for their early season blockbuster on Saturday with huge wins in the opening round.

Star recruit and West Coast premiership captain Nathan Vardy booted six goals in the Eagles’ 202 – point drubbing of Port Fairy and Koroit easily accounted for Hamilton Kangaroos by 91 points.

North Warrnambool went within three points of ending Koroit’s stunning run of premiership success in the 2019 grand final and last year the Eagles were on the charge with victories over every other rival.

Former North Melbourne midfielder Shaun Atley is poised to make his debut for his original club Rochester on Saturday in the Goulburn Valley league first round against flag fancy Echuca. Atley joined the Tigers after his 234-match AFL career at North Melbourne ended last year.

His brother Joe has started the season playing for Essendon’s VFL club, but is expected to play alongside Shaun and another brother Jacob against Echuca.

“We’re hoping to improve on last year and push into the top three or four positions on the ladder,” Rochester coach Steve Stroobants said.

The Tigers will also be boosted by the full-time services of former junior Chris Jansen, who played mostly at Port Melbourne last year.