By Russell Bennett
WEST GIPPSLAND FOOTBALL NETBALL COMPETITION
REVIEW – ROUND 11
Two-time reigning West Gippsland Football Netball Competition A Grade premier Dalyston continues to loom as the biggest threat to Tooradin-Dalmore’s 11-game undefeated run to start the season.
The Magpies navigated their latest hurdle courtesy of a seven-goal victory over the Giants at the showgrounds – 50-43 – further boosting their already impressive record over their fellow former Alberton league heavyweight over the first two-and-a-half seasons of the new WGFNC competition.
The Magpies were challenged massively right throughout the contest – leading by just a goal at quarter-time, and heading into the main break trailing by that same margin.
But as all great sides do, Dalyston continued to rally.
Never one to shirk a challenge, the combative group stood strong – withstanding everything its famous rival had to offer.
The Magpies turned a three-goal advantage at the end of the third into a fighting seven-goal win, courtesy of the Thomas girls in attack – Britt (22 goals) and Jarney (28).
With the win, the Magpies sit in second on the ladder with a 10-1 record, just one win behind the undefeated Seagulls.
Inverloch Kongwak, meanwhile, survived a spirited challenge from the Warragul Industrials to ultimately emerge with an 11-goal victory, 57-46.
The two sides couldn’t be separated throughout the opening stanza, but the Sea Eagles gradually pulled away in the second – opening up a decisive margin.
With the result, Inverloch still holds on to its top five spot for dear life – despite Kooweerup recording a resounding 48-goal win over Garfield, 79-31.
The Sea Eagles and Demons are separated only by percentage on the eve of Round 12 – sitting in fifth and six respectively.
Bunyip is a game further back after dropping its clash with Phillip Island, 42-27.
The hometown Bunyip started slow and was unable to fully recover – with the rebuilding Island recording its third win of the season to date.
In the remaining game of the round, the Panthers were no match for the Goon at Bass, losing by 22 goals 45-23.
Meanwhile, in other netball news, the WGFNC’s open side came away from the Netball Victoria Association Championships at Frankston on Sunday with a top-five finish.
The team won four of its eight games throughout the day – finishing just shy of the top four by two points and percentage.
Interestingly, the WGFNC side defeated the neighbouring AFL Outer East to claim one of its wins.
The West Gippsland team, coached by Donna Marsh and Allan Douglas, included: Gemma Stacey, Karla Brook, Alana McRae, Jaymee Eastwood, Bec Kinna, Hollie Keysers, Alex Duff, Bronte Evans, and Ella Spencer.
In addition to defeating the AFL Outer East side, the WGFNC also claimed victories over Waverley City, Mountain District, and Murray.
