Hawks clip Gulls wings

By Ken Moore
DROUIN consolidated third spot on the ladder after a resounding 82 point victory over one of their nemesis teams in recent years, Warragul, at Western Park on Sunday.
The bottom of the ladder Gulls attacked the ball hard in the opening 15 minutes and made the Hawks earn every kick in a torrid opening before their efforts waned, which let the visitors in for a string of late goals and saw the Hawks build a 30 point lead at the first break. Over the next three quarters Drouin controlled play and extended its advantage by the end of each term.
Centreman Andy Soumilas amassed possessions at will and used the ball constructively, Damian Carmody and David Olsen provided plenty of run out of defence and Troy Kneebone (four goals), Daniel Barrand, and Brad Carmody posed a nuisance across the forward line.
Pat McGrath sacrificed his usual game to neutralise Gull playmaker Ryan Davey, youngster Rhys Salter used his pace well in the first half to kick two goals and another small Brod Fraser chimed in with three second half goals to earn his keep in the side. Ruckman Bob McCallum was terrific in the first half and was made to work hard by his athletic counterpart Alex Gavin, who also did well, while Brad Walker, Aaron Coyle and Jordan Edwards played tidy games across the half back line.
For Warragul, half backs Nick Edney, Joel Morgan, Tom Carey and Darcy Brown offered good resistance, young wingman Ryan Harrison won many handy disposals and Leigh Sheehan kicked two goals and made the most of his opportunities.
MORWELL condemned Wonthaggi to its fifth consecutive defeat after accounting for the league newcomers by 30 points.
The end scoreline flattered the Tigers, because the game was well and truly up for grabs at three quarter time when only a solitary point separated the two sides. Morwell cranked it up in the last quarter and rammed on seven goals to the Power’s two, largely due to opportunist forward Joel Soutar, who snagged three goals.
Classy midfielder Liam Visser was at his sure footed best and received staunch support from wingman Rob Michaelides and half back Jimmy Dowling. Ruckman Luke Norder doubled as a key forward and steered through three goals, while Mannon Johnston was busy across the half forward line.
Wonthaggi burst out of the blocks with the first four goals of the game but could not sustain their intensity. Agile centre half forward Matt Kremer was terrific and Ryan Underwood, Kainen Schrape, Tom Gilliland and coach Paul Brosnan offered plenty of cheek in and around the middle. Wonthaggi is knocking on the door of a second victory.
MOE kept in touch for a berth in the top five with a 20-point victory over a wasteful Sale.
A seven goal to nil opening quarter blitz gave the Lions a 37-point lead at quarter time and a stranglehold on the game. Sale can be consoled by the fact it outscored Moe after quarter time and if not for poor conversion could have been a lot closer.
Moe coach Troy Makepeace galvanised the Lions midfield, sneaked forward to kick three goals including two crucial six pointers after Sale hit back hard to get within 10 points in the last quarter. Adam Kennedy was the backbone of the Lions defence, Nilma Darnum recruit Alan Chandler showed he is making good recovery from tendonitis with a fine game across half back and was lent good support by Ashley Savige and Ashley Payne.
Rob McMahon presented well and kicked four goals, rover James Blasér was busy and Daniel Risol made his presence felt forward of the centre. Similar to last round, Sale will rue their poor kicking on goal. Out of defence and through the middle, Liam Hogan, Jordan Dessent, Kane Fraser, Jason Garrett and Jamie Sweeney propelled the ball forward regularly and Bairnsdale recruit Tom Smith snuck under the Lions guard to pop through four goals.
LADDER leaders Maffra had to fight hard to roll Leongatha by 24 points.
The match was in the balance until three quarter time and the Eagles had to dig deep in the last quarter. Former league best and fairest Gary Jones snared four goals and could have ripped the game apart a lot earlier if not for a number of missed shots on goal. Kelvin Porter returned to form and along with Kallan Killoran and Ben Coleman, the trio playing a big role in the midfield in the second half.
Ben Batalha had his customary influence off the half back flank and Ben Durrant and Sam Walker covered plenty of ground and pushed the ball forward. Despite the loss, Leongatha can be happy with their performance and while now two games in arrears of fifth spot, still remain a finals chance if they can reproduce the same form in the upcoming weeks. For the Parrots, midfielders Sean Westaway, Tom Dowd, Hayden Browne and Tom Marrot put in noteworthy efforts, Colin Sanbrook provided a lot of doughty defence and 17-year-old Matt Willcocks, a solidly built forward, kicked two goals and posed plenty of match up difficulties for the reigning premiers.
Round 8 – Selections
WONTHAGGI v Sale
Warragul v MOE
MAFFRA v Traralgon
DROUIN v Leongatha
Morwell bye