"We're right in the thick of it": Coaches weigh in on this year's Gippsland League football season

Morwell head coach Boyd Bailey and Traralgon head coach Troy Hamilton spoke to the Gippsland Monitor about how competitive the Gippsland League competition is this year.

Boyd was confident that despite Morwell’s bumpy start to the season, with three wins and three losses, they would end up being one of the top teams.

“We've lost three games by [around] two goals each game, and two of those games by less than a kick,” he said. “The three wins we've had have been pretty good wins that we're happy with.

“We feel like we're right in amongst it at the moment and can compete with the better teams in the comp.”

As the league finishes off round seven Morwell (fifth on the ladder) will be facing Moe, who are second place on the ladder with five wins and one loss, this Saturday at Morwell Recreation Reserve.

For Boyd this will be a “test of our depth and our game plan to see how it holds up against one of the better teams”.

Traralgon are one win above Morwell on the ladder having lost to the top team, Wonthaggi, last weekend by five points.

“We missed a lot of opportunities and shots on goal but we feel we're right in the thick of it,” Hamilton said. “When we play well we can beat anyone. We just have to get a bit more consistent.”

Traralgon’s consistency ultimately cost them the game after they scored 11 goals and 13 behinds to Wonthaggi’s 13 goals and six behinds.

“We were 22 points up at halftime,” said Hamilton. “You never want to lose those games, especially at home. But I think Wonthaggi just took their opportunities better than we did.”

The head coach is confident Traralgon’s health and depth will get them through the rest of the season. The Traralgon reserve team is currently top of the ladder with six wins and one loss.

Round 7 scores so far:

Traralgon (11.13) 79 v Wonthaggi (13.6) 84

Warragul (12.13) 85 v Maffra (9.8) 62

Upcoming games on Saturday, May 31:

Morwell v Moe at Morwell Recreation Reserve, 2:20pm.

Sale v Bairnsdale at Sale Oval, 2:20pm.

Leongatha v Drouin at Leongatha Recreation Reserve, 2:20pm.

What’s happening in the reserves?

The reserve fixtures were a very different story, with Traralgon pumping the Wonthaggi side by 58 points to remain 6-1 at the top of the ladder. Warragul lost to third place Maffra last weekend.

Round 7 scores so far:

Traralgon (10.11) 71 v Wonthaggi (2.1) 13

Warragul (3.3) 21 v Maffra (15.10) 100

Image credit: Daniel Heathcote