By David Nagel
Warragul Industrials has continued its fantastic form in the West Gippsland competition and put a massive dent in the finals hopes of Nar Nar Goon with a 57-32 victory over the Goon at Spencer Street on Saturday.
The Dusties suffered three-consecutive defeats back in rounds three, four and five – at the hands of Tooradin-Dalmore, Korumburra-Bena and Dalyston – but have since gone undefeated to launch themselves into fifth position on the ladder.
A draw with a red-hot Bunyip in round eight gave us an early indication that the Dusties could be a team that can cause an upset or two come finals time.
The Dusties have shared the load beautifully this season with April Bethune, Lara Commadeur, Heidi Gaudion, Mackenzie Minichiello, Mia Palmer, Ruby Pratt, Ella Spencer and Jessie Wyatt joining forces to play an attractive brand of netball.
The Dusties jumped out to an early lead on Saturday, and built their 15-9 quarter-time advantage out to 26-14 by half time. The Dusties ramped things up even further in the second half, scoring 31 to 18 to take total control of the contest.
The Goon missed the opportunity to move into the top-six, but players like Hollie Keysers, Olivia Hamilton, Alex Riley and Laura McLaren can hold their heads high as they prepare for another huge clash against Korumburra-Bena this week.
The Dusties also face a tough task when they welcome sixth-placed Inverloch-Kongwak to Western Park.
Korumburra-Bena continues to sit proudly in second place on the ladder after the Giants scored a comfortable 62-23 victory over Kooweerup at Denham’s Road.
The Giants looked slick and well-drilled on the weekend with Chloe Hogg and Kim Hillberg taking care of the scoring duties, getting great supply from the likes of Kelsey Buxton, Jackie Snooks and Seanan Trewin through the midcourt.
And Annelise Van Rooye and Gemma Dixon did what they do best – keeping the opposition goalers under wraps with some traditional hard-nosed defence.
The Giants look a genuine threat this year after having only two hiccups to their name – against Bunyip and Dalyston.
Despite the heavy loss Kooweerup is still well and truly in finals contention.
It was a tough day at the office for players like Taylah Simpson, Tash Bindley and Elaine Parkinson, but expect the Demons to be in red-hot form when they head to Phillip Island this weekend.
Tooradin-Dalmore is poised perfectly in third spot on the ladder after the reigning premiers emerged with a 55-37 victory over a gallant Cora Lynn at Westernport Oval.
The Seagulls found the going tougher than expected against the determined Cobras and led by 14 goals to eight at quarter time.
Centres Zoe Coventry (Tooradin) and Karla Brooke (Cora Lynn) had a great battle for midcourt ascendency while Cobra defenders Emily Brook and Bianca Douglas stood up well to the class and composure of Seagull goalers Alex Maher and Kayla Bratic.
The Seagulls had too much class in the end, but Cobras’ coach Allan Douglas will be super proud of his team’s effort against one of the best teams in the competition.
The Cobras face another tough match up this week against Dalyston, while the Seagulls get to put their feet up for a week with the bye.
Dalyston has kept its unbeaten record in tact with the Magpies scoring a 58-33 win over Phillip Island.
The Magpies face a tough game or two on the way home but have almost done enough to lock away the minor premiership. They sit two games clear at the top of the ladder with just five rounds of the season remaining.
Phillip Island still has a slim chance of playing finals but must defeat Kooweerup this week if those remote hopes are to stay alive.
And Bunyip looks set for an extremely high finish this season after the Bulldogs scored a 44-28 victory over Inverloch-Kongwak.
The Bulldogs have their destiny in their own hands this season with games to come against Garfield, Nar Nar Goon, Kooweerup and Phillip Island…before a last-round shootout against the Giants.
Chloe Papley once again provided the midcourt drive for the Bulldogs, while Ebony Mumford and Olivia Hunt acted like blankets against the Sea Eagles’ attack.
The Sea Eagles face a massive game this week – looking to keep their finals hopes alive – against the in-form Warragul Industrials.
Garfield had the bye.
