By David Nagel
A powerful synergy is building for Inverloch-Kongwak after champion midfielder Andy Soumilas kicked a late point to give the Sea Eagles a thrilling one-point victory over Phillip Island on Saturday.
Six years ago on the same deck at Nar Nar Goon – and with the same prize of a grand final berth on offer – Soumilas kicked a late goal against Cora Lynn to book his side a ticket to the big one.
The Sea Eagles would go on to win the inaugural WGFNC premiership in 2017 and break a 31-year drought.
Soumilas was slightly off target this time around, but his point proved just as crucial as the Sea Eagles prevailed in a classic second semi-final; 12.9.81 to 12.8.80.
Inverloch coach Tom Hams was already in a huge battle, two days out from the contest, when he decided to make seven changes to the team that drew with Phillip Island in his sides’ most previous engagement in round 18.
Toby Mahoney came in off a seven-game break, Dylan Clark six, while Michael Eales (5), Hams (4) and Ethan Park (3) were all returning from lengthy absences on the sidelines.
Only Tate Short and Will Turner regained their spots after one game away from the action.
“There were big calls to make,” Hams confessed.
“All the guys that came in are very experienced and great players, but I guess we knew there was a risk of bringing so many back at the same time.
“With the double chance, it gave us the opportunity to gamble…and lucky for us we got across the line.
“It will mean a lot for those guys to have a run under their belts heading into the grand final.”
Inverloch led by four points at quarter time and steadily built to 10 points at the half, before a 4.4 to 3.1 third stanza opened up a 19-point lead at the final break.
When they kicked the first of the last quarter…the Sea Eagles appeared to have finally broken the shackles of the Bulldogs.
“We could never break a three-goal lead,” Hams explained.
“We’d get one or two, then they’d peg us back, and it was only when we kicked the first of the last quarter that we got it beyond four goals.
“From there, they played pretty direct and their good players stood up.
“They got it in quick in the last quarter and things opened up on a big ground on a hot day.”
Phillip Island worked hard for momentum in the last, kicking four unanswered goals to draw level with just minutes left on the clock.
“They had nothing to lose by taking more risk, and sometimes that works and you build momentum, which they got for 10 minutes in the last, but I was pretty proud that we were able to wrestle it back, stem the flow, and find the score at the end to get the result.
“The guys were really disappointed last year (losing week one of finals), so to win a final like this gives us a lot of confidence.
“But there’s two really good teams playing off in a prelim this week that deserve to be playing on the last day.
“We’re excited as a group…but the job is definitely not done yet.
“We’ll be watching the prelim with great interest because both sides are a genuine threat.”
While there were many memorable moments in this contest, a late run-down tackle by Taite Cumming, and the stoppage work of the Inverloch midfield, proved pivotal to the end result.
Repeat stoppages in Phillip Island’s forward 50, when the scores were level late…ended with the ball moving the Sea Eagles way and into the waiting arms of Soumilas.
The rest, as they say…is history!
In a magnificent game of football, Mahoney and Will Hams kicked three each for the winners, while Marcus Toussaint carried a huge workload with absolute class in the ruck.
Lewis Rankin once again orchestrated the defensive end of the ground with precision, while the inside skill of Soumilas is always a joy to behold.
As for the Bulldogs…well they’re still in this year’s premiership race right up to their eyeballs.
Cam Pedersen threatened as he usually does in the last-quarter revival, while three goals to Max Blake, and two each to Jordy Patullo and Ben Taylor, proved not quite enough to get across the line.
Bryce Hindhaugh continues his push to being the most under-rated recruit of the season, while Daniel Pearce and skipper Jack Taylor will take some good form into Saturday’s preliminary final against Nar Nar Goon.
It will be two week’s running where the Bulldogs take on a team they drew with last start…let’s hope for them the outcome is not similar.
