Six in the race at half way
Six teams will enter the second half of the West Gippsland Football Competition in the battle for a top five finish and subsequent finals berth.
While last year’s inaugural season saw eight clubs still in contention heading into the final round of matches, a repeat of that scenario is unlikely with the bottom four teams having no more than two wins at the half way mark.
That’s due to a drop off of 2017 contenders Kilcunda-Bass and Dalyston, who sit eight and 10th on the ladder respectively.
Both sides have been hit hard by the loss of their coaches and former AFL listed players.
The young Korumburra-Bena team continue to show glimpses of improvement and will take time, while Bunyip will also take time under new coaches Austinn Jones and Ricky Clark.
Inverloch-Kongwak
Despite suffering their first defeat of the season on Saturday, the reigning premier reamins on top of the table and an undisputed favorite.
Rival sides will take confidence from the Sea Eagles’ loss to Phillip Island, and should push the reigning premier in the back half of the season.
The Sea Eagles will be out to ensure that loss is a small blemish on their season, and should secure the double chance.
Nar Nar Goon
Nar Nar Goon entered the season with strong inner belief that it could challenge for the premiership.
They enter the second half of the season wellplaced with a record of 7-2 and superior percentage to ladder leaders Inverloch-Kongwak.
Having forced a draw with the Sea Eagles late last season, the Goon will be confident it can deliver against any side on their day.
Denied a decent run at last year’s final series due to being crippled with injury, the Goon will be hoping to keep their better players on the park as they aim to show they are the real deal.
Koo wee rup
Having recruited well, the Demons will give themselves every chance to contend.
Suffering the heartbreak of missing finals despite a final round win last season, the Demons sit third at 7-2 and should have their position sewn up well and truly by the final round.
With Anthony Giuliano and Mitchell Collins up and running to form part of a dynamic forward line alongside the dynamic Jason Wells and returning Luke Walker, a lot is going right for the Demons at present.
Phillip Island
The Bulldogs have been flying under the radar somewhat and sit fourth with a healthy percentage.
Last week’s win over reigning premier Inverloch-Kongwak showed the Island can compete with the top teams.
With six wins, the Bulldogs are in the hint for a top three finish and the coveted secondchance.
Garfield
Can the developing Stars team hold on to their place in the top five?
That’s the burning question following a disappointing loss to 2017 grand finalist Cora Lynn, who stormed back into finals calculations.
Having won five games last season, the fact the Stars are challenging for the five signals a significant improvement in their development.
Early season wins helped the young teams’ cause, but can they sustain the effort required to hold out their rivals?
Cora Lynn
Cora Lynn announced its intention to not be an also-ran with Saturday’s emphatic win putting the Cobras well and truly back into calculations.
One win behind the fifth-placed Stars but with superior percentage, the return match could be very important.
Aslow start has hampered the grand finalists prospects.
A high tunover of the list saw the Cobras fielding a young team, the average age dipping to 19.9 years at one point, but with players coming back from injury have worked themselves back into finals contention.
On Saturday’s form you would back the Cobras in to displace the Stars in the five.