Gulls thirds roll into finals

by Nicholas Duck
Warragul's thirds are rolling into finals full of confidence after seeing off fellow contender Maffra on Saturday.

The Gulls will head in as the number one seed for the finals series thanks to a top spot finish on the ladder, two games and more than 100 per cent ahead of their next best rival.
Four goals to one in the second half sealed their victory over the Eagles, turning what was a tight affair to half time into an 8.4 (52) to 4.7 (31) win.
Darcy Paul led from the front for the home side, along with Ty Ward, Samuel Grummisch and the returning Lucas Carter following a stint in the seniors.
Nothing's guaranteed in footy and there's still a way to go, but there's no doubt the red and black are looking good for a third consecutive grand final appearance.
Drouin's thirds will enter the finals in fifth position and looking for some form following a final round defeat to Leongatha.
With a top five position already secured the Hawks were found wanting against the Parrots, who opportunistically moved into second position as a result of their 8.6 (54) to 5.7 (37) win.
Trailing by 18 points at the final change of ends the Hawks booted the first two goals of the last to move within six points.
However, two consecutive goals to Parrot Jett Garnham ensured the Hawks would be leaving empty handed as they prepare for a do-or-die final dance with Maffra.
Rylie Baker, Max Williames, William Virtue and Ewan Croucher were best on for Drouin.
In other thirds results Bairnsdale pipped Sale 7.9 (51) to 5.14 (44), Traralgon saw off Morwell 6.24 (60) to 1.4 (10) and Moe had the bye.
Drouin's fourths were unable to finish off their year with a win after they were defeated by Leongatha.
Both the Hawks came into the contest on four wins and it was the Parrots who left it with five, Drouin left to rue a 4.1 (25) to 7.12 (54) loss.
Seven points was all that separated the sides at three quarter time. The Hawks were within striking distance thanks largely to some poor accuracy from the Parrots.
It wasn't to be. Drouin couldn't find a way to score in the last, Leongatha booting 3.4 to put the margin beyond reach.
Caleb Kleeven, Jett Proctor, Brody Rogers and Dean Brown never stopped trying for Drouin.
Warragul's fourths had a final game to forget, going goalless in a crushing 103-point defeat to Maffra.
The gap between the league's higher and lower sides was starkly on display with Warragul unable to fire a shot in the 0.1 (1) to 15.14 (104) loss.
A better defensive effort in the third quarter was the highlight on a rough day.
Jake Boote, Nash Olsson, Henry Allsop and Bill De Araugo were among the better Gulls players.
Elsewhere in the fourths Sale overcame Bairnsdale 8.12 (60) to 4.9 (33), Moe thrashed Wonthaggi 12.11 (83) to 3.4 (22) and Traralgon annihilated Morwell 24.18 (162) to 3.1 (19).
Warragul's reserves couldn't make much of an impact against Maffra.
As has been the case all year scoring was the main issue as the Gulls booted just one goal, going down 1.3 (9) to 15.10 (100).
It brings to an end another challenging year for the team after tasting victory on just two occasions.
The efforts of Jacob Orlicki, Lachlan Gronow, Connor Williamson and Jason Neville were commendable.
Drouin's reserves couldn't go with top side Leongatha.
Having struggled for numbers through the year the club's twos side on Saturday was simply no match for the Parrots, the final score 2.0 (12) to 28.15 (183).
Like their cross-town counterparts it's been a tough year for the Hawks, outside of a three-game winning streak from rounds five to seven.
Their better performers on the weekend were Charlie Stone, Corey Nickels, Jesse Depasquale and Ben Lucas.
Elsewhere in the reserves Traralgon beat Morwell 7.12 (54) to 5.12 (32), Bairnsdale took care of Sale 8.10 (58) to 5.7 (37) and Wonthaggi handled Moe 9.8 (62) to 3.2 (20).