By Romy Stephens
WEST GIPPSLAND FOOTBALL NETBALL COMPETITION
REVIEW – ROUND 17
With the finals rapidly approaching, the weekend’s Round 17 matches were not only vital in deciding whose season is still alive, but also which sides will begin their finals campaigns in form.
Korumburra-Bena proved it’s ready for finals action with a convincing 44-33 win over Nar Nar Goon at the showgrounds on Saturday.
The third-placed Giants came off their impressive win against Dalyston and continued their hot streak against the side that sits only one spot below them on the ladder.
A solid start saw them get out to a six-goal lead by half-time, which they soon extended out to 11 goals by the final siren.
With big wins against the second and fourth-placed teams over the past couple of weeks, the Giants have once again announced themselves as ones to watch come finals time.
In the closest game of the round, Bunyip avoided an upset loss with a nail-biting one-goal win over Kooweerup at Denhams Road, 31-30. It proved a vital win for the Yips, who sit one game clear in fifth spot with only one game left in the home and away season.
In what was a tight contest for the entire day, the Yips remained composed – and led at every quarter as the Demons threw everything they had on to the court.
Despite the win, the Yips still have Inverloch Kongwak knocking on their door after the Sea Eagles hit the road and recorded a dominant 48-28 win over Kilcunda Bass.
A solid first-half performance was capitalised by the Sea Eagles who progressively increased the margin between the first and final quarters.
The result means the Sea Eagles still remain within striking distance of finals, assuming results fall their way.
In other games across the round, the Warragul Industrials headed to Cora Lynn and knocked off the Cobras with a 57-45 triumph, despite the Cobras sitting only one place higher than them on the ladder.
Tooradin-Dalmore continued its barnstorming undefeated season with a 55-22 win over Phillip Island, and Dalyston thumped Garfield 80-31.
Looking ahead to the last round before what’s set to be an exhilarating finals series, Inverloch Kongwak (sixth), Bunyip (fifth) and Nar Nar Goon (fourth) are locked in a three-way battle for the fourth and fifth spots and the chance to keep their seasons alive.
The Sea Eagles no doubt have the toughest task as they take on Tooradin-Dalmore. It will require a massive upset – and both Nar Nar Goon and Bunyip to lose – for them to make the final five.
The Yips will not only be sweating on the Sea Eagles’ result, but they will be looking to cause an upset, themselves, against Korumburra-Bena to ensure they solidify a finals position.
Unless all goes wrong for the Goon, they will likely confirm a spot in the top five as they take on Phillip Island at home on Saturday.
Dalyston will be aiming for a confidence boost just before finals as it takes on Cora Lynn, and the Warragul Industrials and Kooweerup will line up, both hoping to finish the season on a positive note.
Meanwhile, Garfield will look to finish the season with its first win as it hits the road to face the second-last placed Kilcunda Bass.
