By Russell Bennett
WEST GIPPSLAND FOOTBALL NETBALL COMPETITION
REVIEW – ROUND 7
The West Gippsland Football Netball Competition’s two biggest strugglers since its inception, Dalyston and Korumburra-Bena, both showed promising signs on Saturday – indicating that their next wins may not be as far away as some would think.
Though the Giants have won just one of their first seven games to start the season and sit mired in eighth, just percentage ahead of Bunyip, they’ve shown plenty throughout their 2018 campaign to date. Make no mistake – they’re a vastly improved outfit from the one that took to the field last year. It’s a matter of time until that translates into wins, and on Saturday the Cobras saw their improvement first-hand in what was still a 22-point win the home side’s way at Cora Lynn, 10.11 (71) to 7.7 (49).
“It was an intense game right from the start with both sides applying enough pressure to force turnovers, which resulted in goals,” Cobras coach David Main said after the clash.
“Korumburra had some brilliant link-up through handball and speed, which was a real positive for a side on the rise.”
At half-time, with just four points in the contest, the Cobras copped a good, old-fashioned bake – one that even Ron Barassi would be proud of.
It helped spark Cora Lynn into life – lighting a fire under Main’s boys and helping them lift their work-rate and intensity around the contest.
But much to the Giants’ credit, they refused to allow the Cobras to kick away and posed a genuine threat throughout.
Ultimately though it was the Cobras who kicked away in the last – capitalising on a 10-point three-quarter time lead.
Tom Stiglich had a breakout game for the home side, both in the middle and up forward, kicking two goals.
Upon his return to senior footy, Brayden Weller continued on his strong form from the previous week, while Chris Johnson, Jeremy Monckton, Tim Payne and Lachlyn Peluso were also solid contributors for their side.
For Korumburra, Bailey Patterson was a real standout – with Main admitting he caused plenty of damage out in the open space. Willie Jeffs also stood tall – slotting two goals alongside Matt Kennewell. Josh Hill, Matt Edwards and Brad Monson also made a real impact.
At Dalyston, meanwhile, the winless home side led by a point at quarter-time and trailed by little over two goals at the main break before Garfield ultimately got the jump in the second half to come away with a 52-point win, 16.18 (114) to the Magpies’ 8.14 (62).
“Dalyston gave us everything they had,” said Stars coach Hayden Stanton following the clash.
“They were physical with our players at any opportunity they had, but after half-time we started to get our ball movement going and should have won by more but for our inaccuracy in front of goal.”
Stanton also gave a summary of where his side is at after Round 7.
“At 5-2 we’re happy with our position,” he said.
“Aside from the Inverloch match, we have been more than competitive to date. We look forward to the next month of footy, to hopefully put ourselves into a strong position at the back end of the season-proper.”
Sam Batson was particularly strong for the Stars on Saturday, while forward livewire Daniel Johnson booted his first bag of goals since Round 3 with five. Corie Intveen, Joseph Verleg, and Damion Denysenko were also particularly influential, while for Dalyston Kristian Butler continued his strong form alongside another usual suspect in Clay Tait.
In the round’s other games, Phillip Island predictably proved far too strong for Kilcunda Bass – finishing with 35 scoring shots to just nine in a 106-point win, 20.15 (135) to 4.5 (29); and Kooweerup put the foot down in the third quarter to soundly defeat Bunyip by 58 points, 18.16 (124) to 9.12 (66) off the back of another eight goals from Jason Wells.
Much of the Round 8 attention this week will turn straight to Spencer Street for Nar Nar Goon’s blockbuster clash with Kooweerup in a battle of third versus second in front of what’s likely to be a bumper crowd. In the remaining clashes of the round, Kilcunda Bass faces a mammoth task when it hosts Inverloch Kongwak; Bunyip takes on Dalyston in a super winnable clash for both sides; Phillip Island hosts Cora Lynn at Cowes; and Garfield hosts Korumburra-Bena at Beswick Street.
