By David Nagel
Nar Nar Goon is one win away from its first grand final appearance since 2010 after a commanding 10.12(72) to 5.7(37) victory over Warragul Industrials in Sunday’s WGFNC first semi-final at Bass.
The Goon kicked the opening five goals of the contest to lead by 33 points, eight minutes into the second term, and were never really challenged from there.
Star forward Dermott Yawney kicked the first two goals of the second quarter, to take the game away from the Dusties, who broke down consistently across half forward.
The Dusties led the uncontested mark count in the first quarter by 13, but couldn’t translate that into dangerous forward-half moves.
The Goon led the inside-50 count by seven, playing a more direct style of football.
Yawney finished with three for the winners, and Troy McDermott two, while skipper Trent Armour and half-backs JJ Peni and Sam Blackwood were influential figures on the day.
The Dusties had few winners across the course of the afternoon, with Ben Northover, Luke Walker and youngster Alix Tauru digging in deep in defence.
Justin Stanton’s Goon will now take on Phillip Island in Saturday’s preliminary final at Dalyston, after the Bulldogs fell short by one point in a thrilling second semi-final against Inverloch-Kongwak on Saturday.
The Sea Eagles steadily built their lead from four points to 10 points at half time, and looked to have the game in their keeping with a 19-point lead at the final change.
But the Bulldogs bounced back, levelling the scores with just minutes remaining on the clock.
A late point from star midfielder Andy Soumilas gave Inverloch-Kongwak a direct passage to the WGFNC grand final to be played at Kooweerup on Saturday 16 September.
In A Grade netball, Inverloch-Kongwak is through to the grand final after a 53-42 win over Tooradin-Dalmore.
The Sea Eagles will now take on either the Seagulls or Nar Nar Goon, who booked its place in the preliminary final with a 46-38 win over Dalyston.
For reviews of the weekend’s action, and full previews of preliminary finals…grab a copy of Wednesday’s Pakenham Gazette.
SECOND-SEMI FINAL
SATURDAY AT NAR NAR GOON
INVERLOCH-KONGWAK (1) 3.1 7.2 11.6 12.9(81)
PHILLIP ISLAND (2) 2.3 5.4 8.5 12.8(80)
Inverloch-Kongwak Goals: Will Hams 3, Toby Mahoney 3, Taite Cumming 2, Nicholas Baltas, Dylan Clark, Xavier Hughes, Jordan Tomas. Best: Marcus Toussaint, Taite Cumming, Andrew Soumilas, Will Hams, Lewis Rankin, Oscar Toussaint.
Phillip Island Goals: Max Blake 3, Jordy Patullo 2, Ben Taylor 2, Daniel Bourke, Cameron Brown, Orlando Kane Gillard, Jack Papas, Travis Woodfield. Best: Bryce Hindhaugh, Daniel Pearce, Jordy Patullo, Jack Taylor, Max Blake, Travis Woodfield.
A GRADE NETBALL: Inverloch-Kongwak 53 def Tooradin-Dalmore 42.
FIRST-SEMI FINAL
SUNDAY AT BASS
NAR NAR GOON (4) 3.2 5.6 8.8 10.12(72)
WARRAGUL INDUSTRIALS (6) 0.0 1.2 3.4 5.7(37)
Nar Nar Goon Goals: Dermott Yawney 3, Troy McDermott 2, Trent Armour, Luke Bettio, Jake Blackwood, Jarrod Smith, Jed Smith. Best: Trent Armour, Aidan Pipicelli, Jeconiah Peni, Nate Pipicelli, Sam Blackwood, Matthew Homfray.
Warragul Industrials Goals: Jackson Mockett 2, Michael Debenham, Cody Templeton, Luke Walker. Best: Benjamin Northover, Michael Debenham, Luke Walker, Bailey Beck, Alixzander Tauru, Todd Beck.
A GRADE NETBALL: Nar Nar Goon 46 def Dalyston 38
