A disappointing second half of football saw Bairnsdale defeated by Moe by 45 points in their round one Gippsland League clash at Bairnsdale City Oval last Saturday.
The Lions were too slick in the second half ramming home seven goals to two after opening up 15-point advantage by half time.
New Moe coach Leigh Poholke, who plays with plenty of exuberance and passion, led the way for his side finishing with five goals with former Collingwood player Ben Crocker kicking two, as did Nick Prowse.
Leigh Poholke uses his body well and seemed to get the benefit of the doubt on several 50/50 marking contests that could have gone either way.
Play was hectic early with the Redlegs opening with new recruit Jack White in the ruck, while last year’s leading ruckman Ethan East played as a spare man in defence all day, where he was outstanding taking 14 intercept marks in a polished display.
In another surprise Ricky Tatnell started forward, adding support to Brayden McCarrey, Max East, Oscar Clarke and Jamie Dore.
The latter trio all showed promise, but as the match wore on the Redlegs lacked a player capable of pulling down a big grab on a regular basis inside the 50 metre arc, while the Lions were obviously well served by Leigh Poholke and Prowse who was involved in numerous forays forward.
Ben Daniher kicked the first of the match for Moe, who seemed to have more space when they went forward, while the Redlegs’ 50 metre arc always looked congested, making it easier for the backmen to spoil.
The wind was moving around and changing ends regularly as Leigh Poholke kicked his first – a sensational snap from the pocket.
Both sides were hard at it and neither’s endeavour could be questioned.
Ethan East saved the day several times as the Lions kept going forward with purpose.
Lachlan Byrne-Jones (25 disposals) set Dore up for Bairnsdale’s first legitimate attempt to goal, but there was disappointment when he failed to register a score from 25 metres.
Clarke and Rees combined at boundary stoppage for the Redlegs first, the latter showing his freakish talents.
The Redlegs were finding their mojo, McCarrey almost making something out of nothing, a mid air volley from 30 metres hitting the post.
The Lions were still marking way to easy across half back, but a late goal to Dore saw the quarter time lead for the Lions cut to just a point.
It was a contrast in the huddles, the Bairnsdale coaching stuff full of positives, while at Moe’s Leigh Poholke was agitated.
Moe was again out of blocks early in the second term, controlling the marking contests across the wings and half back.
Nick Prowse was giving Josh Lando the run around, booting the first two goals of the term as the Redlegs’ skills going forward continued to let them down.
Ethan East continued to control the air deep in the Moe attacking sector, the problem was that they had numerous other marking options who were spreading cleverly, Leigh Poholke making the margin 18 points.
Bairnsdale’s skill errors were mounting with too many horrific kicks or handballs to players who didn’t need or want the football, the final clanger count of 81-55 a massive factor in the end result.
Ball magnet Will Mitchell (41) was busy and goaled after a 50 metre penalty and things were looking up when Myles Poholke was sent off and reported for striking, giving the Redlegs another spare number behind the ball.
Damon O’Connor was impressing for Bairnsdale off half back. Although not overly polished, he continually put his body on the line, inspiring his teammates.
McCarrey goaled from directly in front to keep Bairnsdale in touch as they went to the long break trailing by 15 points, though their efforts to hold up and hang on with just 17 players for the second half of the quarter are to be praised.
Longbottom became Leigh Poholke’s second opponent, freeing up Lando who found the going a lot easier in the second half.
Moe showed its true class in the second half, making the most of the Bairnsdale mistakes to record a convincing first-up win.
Among the best for the Redlegs were Ethan East (23 possessions), Longbottom (32), Cooper Harvey (36), Oscar Pike, Lachlan Cloak and Lando.
Myles Poholke, Chris Prowse (31), Brock Smith (37), Thomas Blackshaw, Aaron Paxton and Harrison Pepper were Moe’s best. Paxton did a great job containing the dangerous McCarrey.
Bairnsdale coach Kane Ashwood was happy to take the positives from the game though was slightly disappointed by the effort in the last quarter.
“The match was full of positives, we competed hard and put maximum pressure on them,. We need to polish up our ball use and the wins will come,” Ashwood said.
Players and supporters hope it’s as soon as this Saturday when the Redlegs take on Drouin at the Morwell Recreation Reserve.
Cooper Vickery is a possible inclusion for Bairnsdale, with his VFL affiliate Carlton having the bye.
“There will be minimal changes as we have got through unscathed. Cooper is a possible inclusion which will add some poise and class,” Ashwood said.
The coach is expecting some natural fitness improvement from his squad.
“It was great to get some solid minutes into Ethan East, Brayden McCarrey, Jack White and Byron Vickery who all went in underdone,” Ashwood said.
