By David Nagel
The top-six in the West Gippsland Football Netball Competition (WGFNC) appears locked and loaded after Cora Lynn and Warragul Industrials put paid to the respective challenges of Kilcunda Bass and Dalyston on Saturday.
The bottom-half of the ladder can basically book in Mad-Monday celebrations for 21 August this year after the Cobras and Dusties delivered killer blows to the finals hopes of the Panthers and Magpies.
Cora Lynn extended its lead at each interval against Kilcunda-Bass, eventually prevailing 13.8.86 to 8.11.59 at the Cobradome.
But they extended their margins from nine, to 18, to 23, to a 27-point victory in differing fashions.
The Cobras, who lost Cory Machaya and Tim Payne for the big clash, had the better of the opening exchanges…but were wasteful in front of goal.
They kicked 2.5 to 1.2 in the first term, before fine-tuning the radar in the second quarter to slot 6.0 to 4.3.
Kilcunda Bass had two more scoring shots that the Cobras after quarter time, but failed to make inroads kicking 7.9 to 11.3.
Nathan Gardiner was once again the standout for the Cobras up forward, kicking five goals, while Tristan Warkuss and Jeremy Monckton ran their legs off for the full four quarters of footy.
Anthony Daraio slotted three for the Panthers, who had Nathan Foote and Ben Eddy in fine form through the midfield.
The battle between Billy Thomas and Dale Gawley in the ruck lived up to expectations with both players being influential figures on the day.
Cora Lynn faces a tough run home after the bye, with games against Nar Nar Goon, Tooradin-Dalmore, Phillip Island and Warragul Industrials sure to test its mettle.
But interspersed are match-ups with Dalyston, Garfield and Kooweerup that should ensure a 10-win total and the locking down of fifth or sixth place on the ladder.
A repeat of last year’s elimination final against Nar Nar Goon would currently appear likely.
The Panthers will need to win six of their last seven games to make finals, but tough challenges against Phillip Island, Nar Nar Goon and Tooradin make that a very-unlikely scenario.
A season-equalling-best seven goals from Mason McGarrity have piloted Warragul Industrials to an emphatic 24.10.154 to 9.12.66 thumping of Dalyston at Western Park.
The Dusties – usually economic with their forward thrusts – opened the turbos on the weekend with 5.2 in the first stanza their lowest output for the match.
Included in those five majors was a crumbing goal to debutant Alix Tauru, who showed great workrate and marking power in his first game in the maroon, blue and gold.
Tauru finished the day with three goals, and took more than a dozen marks to boot, in a very impressive start to his senior career.
Kyle Staples continued his solid season up forward, slotting five for the Dusties, while superstar veteran Shane Brewster kicked four to take his tally to 13 for the season.
The Dusties face a tough run home, but wins against Kooweerup, Dalyston and Garfield should be enough to ensure a finals berth this year.
Remember, they finished sixth last year and finished a kick away from the big dance!
Dalyston was missing Mitch Hallahan and Mick Marotta again on the weekend, and just doesn’t have the depth to cover those types of losses.
Hayden Wallis kicked four goals, to back up his three against Nar Nar Goon last week, while Curtis Murfett once again carried the midfield load.
The Magpies host Cora Lynn after the bye, while the Dusties roll out the red carpet for WGFNC pace-setters Inverloch-Kongwak.
Kooweerup can rest its aching legs comfortable in the knowledge that it has turned its season around after surviving a grinding slog by 43 points at Bunyip on Saturday.
The Demons have done what they had to do – won their last three – after a brutally tough run of matches led to seven losses on the trot.
In only one of those seven games – against Kilcunda-Bass – would the Demons have started favourites, particularly on their home deck.
The other six games, well they’ve just ran into good teams with most playing some good football.
In the absence of his brother Nathan, Matt Voss was the standout for the Demons on the weekend, while Bailey Galante and Mitch Cammarano also enjoyed being at the foot of the ball on a heavily-contested day.
Two goals to Jason Wells were like gold for the Dees, who had Zak Banks and Caleb Milojevic named in their best players’ list.
Bunyip is yet to break its duck, but upcoming games against Kilcunda Bass, Korumburra Bena and Garfield do provide some hope that the elusive win may be just around the corner.
Ben Stewart, Darby Craven and Brandon Pompei were among the better players for the Bulldogs on Saturday.
Kooweerup travels to Nar Nar Goon after the bye.
Nar Nar Goon has done as expected, thrashing Korumburra Bena by 145 points on Saturday…kicking 19 of its 24 goals to one end in the process!
The Goon had the spinnaker out in the first term, booting 8.4 to 0.0, before finishing off the Giants with an incredible 11.5 to 0.1 third stanza.
Dermott Yawney continued his great run of form, kicking seven goals to make it 29 from six outings since returning from a serious finger injury.
Troy McDermott has also been consistent of late, with his three goals making it 13 from his last four visits to the crease.
In a great sign for coach Justin Stanton, the Goon shared the load on the weekend with Deon Boavida, Mitch Homfray, Jed Murphy, Jed Smith and first-gamer Clancy Pope all chiming in with two majors. Pope is an under-16 player making his debut.
Versatile tall Nate Pipicelli continues to impress for the Goon, while Yawney and Aidan Pipicelli were also major contributors on the day.
Jay Walker and Tyson Findlay were best for the fallen Giants.
And Phillip Island has shown its class, winning by 83 points at Garfield.
The Bulldogs struggled to break free in the first half, but a 6.7 to 1.0 third stanza saw the margin blow out from 32 to 69 at the final break.
Cam Pedersen and Max Blake did the bulk of the scoring for the Doggies, kicking four and three goals respectively, while Daniel Bourke and Kai Mackenzie chipped in with a couple each.
Mark Griffin and Hayden Bruce were unstoppable for the Bulldogs, while Billy and Jack Taylor will rest some tired legs after playing all 11 games this season.
For Garfield, Joel Batson, Jack Barnes, Jack Tenace-Greenall and Finn Hower will all take positive vibes into a winnable game against Korumburra Bena after the bye.
The Doggies host Tooradin-Dalmore in the blockbuster clash of round 12.
