By David Nagel
Blowouts were a common theme across the West Gippsland Football Netball Competition (WGFNC) in round three as several teams hit some dangerous potholes on their 2024 journey.
The ‘close one’ of the round took place on Anzac Day, with Tooradin-Dalmore opening its account with a 40-point win over Warragul Industrials, while two massive victories to Cora Lynn and Inverloch-Kongwak saw the average winning margin blow out to 107 points.
The highest-quality game of the round took place at Bass, where a devastating second-quarter guided Phillip Island to a convincing 17.10(112) to 9.7(61) victory over an improving Kilcunda-Bass.
The ‘Battle of the Bridge’ has been one-sided in recent years, but the Panthers made the Bulldogs work hard for their ascendency.
Max Walton opened the scoring for the Bulldogs, before a Travis Tuck left-footer tied the scores away after 11 minutes of the opening quarter.
Reigning league medalist Dale Gawley then dribbled one through from close range, before key-target Den McRae gave the Panthers a two-goal buffer after some silver-service from Jed Rosenow.
Bulldogs skipper Jack Taylor then kicked his first for the afternoon to cut the Panthers advantage to six points at the first break.
Whatever Cam Pedersen said to his Bulldogs charges at quarter-time worked wonders, with the visitors playing some sublime football in the second quarter.
Mid-forward Charlie Bruce leveled the scores for the Doggies, before follow up majors to Jack and Billy Taylor gave the Bulldogs a handy lead.
Tuck responded with a set shot, before Bulldogs’ youngster Zach Walker put his height to full advantage – marking and goaling to kick the margin out to 14 points.
Hayden Bruce then capped off a fine first half with two goals – either side of Tuck’s third – to see the margin blow to 21.
A late goal to Billy Taylor gave Phillip Island its seventh goal of the second term and saw it margin extend to 29 points at half time.
Anthony Daraio then came to life after a very quiet first half, kicking the first of the third quarter before Billy Taylor replied with two quick ones.
Daraio kept the flame flickering for the Panthers, with two more for the quarter; before a great tackle from Josh Ryan on Nathan Foote saw the Doggies lead by 28 at the final change.
Winger Bryce Hindhaugh then kicked a couple in the last to highlight a 5.2 to 1.3 final term.
The Bruce boys were everywhere for the Island, with Hayden just taking bragging rights over Charlie, while the mobility of Billy Taylor up forward caused the Panthers a month-full of headaches.
Billy finished with five, and Hayden Bruce three, while two each to Charlie Bruce, Jack Taylor and Hindhaugh proved more than enough for the Bulldogs.
Phillip Island will now rest up this week after playing its round-four game against Warragul Industrials on Saturday 30 March.
The Bulldogs rest up with 10 points from a possible 16 from their first four outings, defeating the Dusties and Panthers, while losing to Nar Nar Goon and having a thrilling draw with Cora Lynn.
Back-to-back away games against Korumburra-Bena and Kooweerup should provide easy wins in rounds five and six, before the Doggies roll out the red carpet for a bumper round-seven engagement against Inverloch-Kongwak on Saturday 25 May.
Kilcunda-Bass coach Lee Rowe saw some positive signs on the weekend, with the Panthers ball movement testing the Bulldogs defensive structures at times.
But an inability to hit targets coming out of defence proved costly, with repeat forward-50 entries setting up many scores for the Bulldogs.
Tuck was an ever-present threat up forward with four goals, while Daraio’s three-goal burst in the third quarter reminded all and sundry of his talents.
Jo West and Jayden Graham have bolstered the key posts in defence, while Jed Rosenow was super-impressive with his workrate and run-and-carry.
The Panthers will be eyeing off back-to-back wins over the next fortnight, with a tricky trip to Kooweerup followed by a home game against Bunyip.
It’s getting harder and harder for players, coaches and supporters – and even sports journalists – to get excited about games involving Bunyip at the moment after the Bulldogs were once again walloped by more than 200 points on Saturday.
This time it was a 38.19(247) to 0.0(0) thrashing at the hands of Cora Lynn, following a 40.22(262) to 0.3(3) touch up against Nar Nar Goon last week.
It similar scenes to last week, the Bulldogs were powerless to stop a monster full-forward with Nathan Gardiner leap-frogging Dermott Yawney into first place on the league goal-kicking ladder with 11 goals.
The pain didn’t stop there for the Bulldogs, with Matt Ryan helping himself to eight, impressive youngster Lachie Coverdale to five, while Luke Hartley and Max McDermott chimed in with three apiece.
The problem for the Bulldogs is; when one premiership contender kicks the crap of you, the others need to do the same; to avoid losing valuable percentage on the other.
The Bulldogs still have two games to play against Inverloch-Kongwak and Tooradin-Dalmore, and one more against Cora Lynn, Warragul Industrials and the Goon; so can expect at least seven more thumpings from the remaining 15 rounds of the season.
Finishing on a good note, the other eight games don’t appear to be so punishing.
Sticking to their guns for the Doggies are Matt O’Halloran, Mitchell Sproles, Darby Craven, Curtis Jenkin, Liam Marson and Tahj Murphy, who were all selected as better players, while a visit from Dalyston this week should alleviate certain elements of the pain.
Cora Lynn coach Shaun Sparks will be pleased that his team maintained the high standards set from the early part of the season, with Heath Briggs, Nathan Villella and classy-lefty Gus Da Costa earning a well-timed week off after a four-game stretch to start the year.
Taking 10 of 16 points against Inverloch-Kongwak, Tooradin-Dalmore, Phillip Island and Bunyip has laid a magnificent platform on which to build a successful season on.
The Cobras rest their legs this week before hosting Garfield on 11 May, while the Doggies need to back up against the Magpies at the Kennel.
Garfield has been given a timely reminder of just how far it has to go to be a force in the WGFNC after the Stars winning run came to crashing halt against reigning-premier Inverloch-Kongwak at Garfield.
The Stars were hit right between the eyes early; not scoring in the first quarter to find themselves 37 points adrift; on their way to a 21.22(148) to 1.3(9) defeat.
Inefficient finishing was the only fault of the Sea Eagles, who led 8.15 to 1.2 at the main break.
Unluckily for the Stars, the champs found their range in the second half booting 13.7 to 0.1 after the interval to race away with a 139-point win.
Nick Baltas continued his stellar start to the season, kicking five, while the smooth-moving Oscar Toussaint matched that total in a near best-on-ground display.
Paul Pattison and Ethan Park were dominant figures through the midfield, while Jack Barnes and Jesse Wouters never gave up for the Stars.
Garfield hosts Tooradin-Dalmore this week, while Inverloch gets to rest its aching legs.
The Sea Eagles will next be seen in action at Dalyston in round five.
Nar Nar Goon continues to sparkle in the early stages of the season after the Goon toyed with Kooweerup at Spencer Street on Saturday.
The Goon was just too strong in all facets of the game on its way to a 19.15(129) to 5.3(33) success.
The Goon spread the load evenly with 11 players celebrating six pointers.
The best of those were Matt Gentile and Matt Homfray with three each, while Troy McDermott, Jarrod Smith, Dermott Yawney and Taylor Whitford all chimed in with a couple.
Whitford, the Casey Demons VFL coach, was superb for the winners, earning the Anzac Day Medal for his efforts.
Trent Armour was once again influential through the midfield, while Flynn Parker provided an imposing presence around the ground.
Matt Voss was best for the Demons, kicking two goals to cap off a fine display through the midfield.
The Goon host Korumburra-Bena this Saturday, while the demons will need to dig deep in a home game against Kilcunda-Bass.
And Dalyston is on the board after a 17.9(11) to 6.5(41) victory over Korumburra-Bena.
Hayden Wallis kicked four, and Jaxon Foon and Dino Karamoshos three each for the Magpies, who broke the game open with a 6.3 to 0.2 second quarter.
Coach Mitch Hallahan was terrific for the Pies, while key talls Brad Monson and Michael Harris were also standout performers.
Joel Cuman and Kye Benson were among the better players for the Giants.
