Australian rules football: West Gippsland Football League Semi Finals

September 6, 2009 The West Gippsland Latrobe Football League (WGLFL) Semi Finals were played this weekend at the Moe and Sale Recreation Reserves.

Moe lost to Traralgon in the major Semi Final in Sale after beating Maffra in the Qualifying Final. Traralgon qualified for the match by finishing top of the ladder after the Home and Away season. The winner will qualify for the Grand Final in Morwell, with the loser going into the Preliminary Final in Warragul.

Maffra thumped Leongatha in the minor Semi Final in Moe after losing the Qualifying Final against Moe. Leongatha defeated Drouin in the Elimination Final. The winner will qualify for the Preliminary Final, the loser eliminated.

The WGLFL is considered one of the "major leagues" controlled by the Victorian Country Football League, the governing body of Australian rules football in regional Victoria.

Scores below are quoted as goals-behinds (total). Goals are worth six points, behinds one.

Minor Semi Final
With the threat of elimination from premiership hanging over the game, Maffra defeated Leongatha at the Moe Recreation Reserve on September 6.

Just like Traralgon the day before, Maffra kicked twelve goals in the first half to set up the win. Unlike Traralgon, they were able to extend there lead substantially.

Leongatha never seemed to be in the contest but fought hard all afternoon. Maffra now play Moe in the Preliminary Final - a Qualifying Final rematch of soughts. Final scores: Maffra 19-19 (133) defeated Leongatha 8-11 (59).

Earlier in the day, Leongatha defeated Sale in the under 16's, Traralgon beat Moe in the under 18's and Drouin defeated Maffra in the reserves.

Major Semi Final
With a spot in the Grand Final up for grabs, Traralgon defeated Moe at the Sale Recreation Reserve on September 5.

A twelve goal first half laid the platform for Traralgon to take the win. They kicked 12 goals four behinds to five goals seven for the half. A total of 113 points between the two teams.

The second half saw only three goals kicked. Both teams contributed huge defensive effort in order to secure the first Grand Final spot.

Earlier the day, Traralgons reserves (defeated Moe), under 16's (defeated Maffra) and the the Warragul under 18's (defeated Maffra) all qualified for their respective Grand Finals.