By David Nagel
The first true Antarctic-blast of the 2024 football season came at the right time for many of the struggling clubs in the WGFNC with greasy and slippery conditions keeping damage to a minimum.
Teams such as Kooweerup, Korumburra-Bena, Garfield, Kilcunda-Bass and Bunyip all lowered their colours on the weekend, but can at least walk away with their heads held high against far superior opposition.
The story was not so full of promise for Warragul Industrials, who had their faint finals hopes dashed after a disappointing 10.17 (77) to 1.6(12) loss to Tooradin-Dalmore at Western Park.
The Dusties have had their struggles this year, with some key players missing and a massive turnover rate making for the perfect recipe for inconsistent football.
But the Dusties slipped below the acceptance line on the weekend, scoring just one goal in the third quarter on their way to a 65-point defeat.
And the story could have been a lot worse if the Seagulls had their kicking boots on.
The Gulls received a pass-mark in the opening term, slotting 4.4 to take a 27-point lead to quarter time, but then frittered away opportunities with 3.12 across the middle stages of the match.
Their inaccuracy didn’t cost them on the weekend, but it will do so if the same thing happens in finals.
Brad Butler and Xavier Shinners both made it seven goals in two weeks for the Gulls, with Butler kicking three and Shinners two, while Stewie Scanlon also showed promising signs with three goals to his name.
Cooper Shipp, Jesse Craven, Xavier Shinners, Lewis Hill, Brody Campbell and Trent Adams can all rest up over the bye, and set their sights on gaining revenge on Kilcunda-Bass after their disappointing round-two defeat.
Lachie Bambridge kicked the only major for the Dusties and was joined by Kyle Beveridge and defender Kyan Willis on the best players’ list.
Reigning-premier Inverloch-Kongwak survived a scare against Kooweerup, with eight goals to one after half time propelling the Sea Eagles to an 8.17(65) to 3.7(25) victory.
The Sea Eagles last visit to Kooweerup was a rip-roaring success, in last year’s grand final, but it threatened to be a disastrous journey this time around.
The Sea Eagles were outplayed by a more determined opponent in the first half; being held goalless before half time for the first time in living memory.
But the eight-point deficit was quickly washed away in the third term as the Sea Eagles stamped their authority.
The champs slammed home 5.7 to 0.1 in the third quarter in a complete and utter turnaround from their first-half performance.
Paul Pattison and Lachie Scott chimed in with a couple each for the winners, while brothers Marcus and Oscar Toussaint generated the second-half drive through the midfield.
Kooweerup’s leaders really stood up on the weekend, with playing-coach Dale Alanis and skipper Nathan Voss showing true desperation in the first half in particular.
The Demons head to Phillip Island after the bye for a tough round-13 assignment.
Cora Lynn is another premiership contender that needed to lift its workrate after half-time with the Cobras eventually prevailing by 81 points at Garfield.
The Stars were determined defensively in the first half and trailed by just 18 points at the main break, before the Cobras kicked into gear on their way to a 13.12(90) to 1.3(9) victory.
After kicking just three goals to half time, the Cobras opened things up with five goals in each of the remaining two quarters.
The slippery conditions couldn’t halt Nathan Gardiner from continuing his charge towards a second-consecutive century of goals, with his six majors taking his tally to 76 for the season.
Big Billy Thomas continued his magnificent year in the ruck, while Nathan Villella capped off a fine performance through midfield and half forward with two goals.
Josh Evans and Jack Tenace-Greenall were best for the vanquished Stars.
In other games this week, Hayden Wallis kicked four goals and Mitch Hallahan three in Dalyston’s 11.15(81) to 5.8(38) win over Korumburra-Bena, while Phillip Island gradually ground down a determined Kilcunda-Bass outfit at Cowes.
Hayden Bruce was at his electrifying best for the Bulldogs, kicking two goals in a best-on-ground display, while Jack Taylor and Marcus Wright also kicked multiples in the 13.15(93) to 8.11(59) scoreline.
Anthony Daraio, Dale Gawley and Dean McRae all kicked two each for the Panthers, who will take confidence from creating 19 shots at goal.
Gawley, Nathan Foote and Sam Watson were best for Killy-Bass on the day.
And Nar Nar Goon has bounced back to the winners’ list with a convincing 14.23(107) to 1.3(9) victory over Bunyip.
The margin should have been greater for the Goon, who kicked more points than goals in all four quarters of footy.
They kicked 3.6, 6.7, 2.5 and finished off with 3.5 in a soft entrance to the bye.
Harry Brain was dangerous up forward for the winners, slotting four goals, while the talented trio of Troy McDermott, Jake Smith and Jed Smith chimed in with a couple each.
Skipper Trent Armour banked more votes in his quest for a league best and fairest medal, while Aidan Pipicelli once again proved an able ally through the midfield.
Reid Jenkin, Chase Saunders, Curtis Jenkin, Seth Ashton and Ben Stewart were serviceable for Bunyip, while Jason Williams kicked the only goal for the Bulldogs for the second week running.
The WGFNC has a league-wide bye this weekend before the action returns on Saturday 13 July.
