By RUSSELL BENNETT
THE Warragul Industrials have bounced back from the disappointment of last week’s home loss to Garfield with a brilliant final term to knock of Kooweerup at Denhams Road.
For the Demons, it was a case of recent history repeating itself as – like last week against the Cobras – they were well in the contest for more than three quarters before fading late to lose by 35 points, 18.13 (121) to 13.8 (86).
Dusties gun Joel Gibson seemed to have his own Sherrin throughout the day, while the Demons were sorely missing his housemate, skipper Luke Walker – who missed the clash after suffering a foot injury from a workplace mishap late in the week.
In wet and cold conditions the Demons, who’ve been under fire in recent weeks, bounced back from an early scoreboard onslaught from the Dusties to trail by just nine points at the half. Their self-belief was there, and their want for the footy couldn’t be questioned as they snatched the lead 20 minutes into the third term.
But the Dusties flexed their muscles in the final term with six goals to one to come away with an impressive win.
It was an impressive display of football from both sides, with a series of long goals, big hits and strong grabs but Gibson was by far and away the best player on the ground. Shane Brewster kicked four – including the clincher at the 17-minute mark of the last – and Daniel Johnson booted three, while youngster Will Jolley was also particularly impressive.
For the Demons, Lachy Moss and Steven Greaves refused to relent and Brad Harding continually put his body on the line for the cause. Shaun Marusic was dangerous from the outset when played one-out deep in the forward 50, while the silky skills of Tim Miller and Paul Gramc belied the conditions. Warragul’s winning margin, on the one hand, didn’t seem a fair reflection on the quality of the contest. But on the other it showed exactly what Ash Green’s men are capable of when they’re up and firing. It’s all about consistency moving forward for them, and for Green and the playing group this win was about continuing to build respect. Much like the Lyrebirds and Cats – which fought out an incredible draw, 3.7 (25) apiece in the Neerim District Community Bank Shield – they’ll pose some massive question marks for the likes of Cora Lynn, Garfield and Bunyip come finals time.
Elsewhere around the league, Nyora recorded its win of the season – defeating Catani at home by four points 11.8 (74) to 10.10 (70) in fairytale style in skipper Matt Layton’s 350th senior game for the club; Longwarry edged past a fast-finishing Lang Lang by the narrowest of margins 14.8 (92) to 13.13 (91); Ellinbank pushed Nar Nar Goon before falling 6.6 (42) to 8.7 (55); and Cora Lynn was far too strong for Poowong 10.15 (75) to 2.2 (14). Garfield and Bunyip face off tomorrow at Beswick Street.
Click below to watch Ash Green and the Dusties belt out their song:
