Gardiner masterclass sees Cobras through
With just four teams remaining in the West Gippsland Football Netball Competition, one man has sent out a very simple warning to the rest of the competition: watch out for Nathan Gardiner.
The Cora Lynn superstar forward, fresh off claiming his third straight goalkicking award, put on yet another clinic, kicking eight goals to help drag his side to an elimination final victory over Nar Nar Goon 11.6 (72) to 7.13 (55).
Coming to the final having won 12 of their past 13 games, it was always going to be interesting to see just how Cora Lynn would go in their first final. The team has been a perennial finalist in the still relatively new competition, and clearly know how to challenge the top sides.
Having finished lower than expected in fifth position though, largely thanks to a 0-5 beginning to the year, the Cobras are very much a dark horse in the finals this year, but with Gardiner in the form he's in there's no telling the damage they could cause. And causing damage was clearly the forward's intention, clunking marks and largely doing as he pleased despite the best efforts of the Nar Nar Goon defence, who are far from the worst in the league.
Despite the dominance of Gardiner, it was still a close encounter for much of the day, as while Cora Lynn were in the lead for most of the day, it was never a comfortable one. Some poor goalkicking also cruelled the Goon's chances, particularly early where they kicked 1.5 in the first quarter.
Equally as tough for Nar Nar Goon was the fact that while Cora Lynn's spearhead was creating havoc in their defensive half, the Goon's own star forward in Dermott Yawney was unable to register a major. Many fans would have touted this game as a battle between the game's two best forwards, and after this bout the points have gone to Gardiner.
Even up the three quarter time it was nearly impossible to tell how the game was going to go, as while Nar Nar Goon were able to get the ascendancy through the middle and get consistent first use inside 50, they were simply unable to stop the wrecking ball that was Gardiner whenever he went near it.
In the end the wrecking ball won out, as a four-goal-to-two final term pushed the margin beyond the Goon's reach and saw the Cobras progress to the next week of finals.
Cora Lynn will now face the Warragul Industrials next week, who they managed to beat just a few weeks ago in round 18. Like this match that was a close affair where Gardiner was the separating factor. Thanks to the finals schedule they will enjoy a home ground advantage, as their comeback from five straight losses to start the season continues its incredible run.
Now the question is just how far can they go?