Bunyip’s struggle continues
Garfield handed Bunyip its 10th straight loss in round 10 of West Gippsland football as the Bulldogs’ struggle in the new competition continues.
The Stars were never really troubled in an all the way win, 18-8 (116) to 126 (78).
Garfield kicked five goals to two in the first quarter, and extended that lead with four goals to two in the second term to take a handy 31-point buffer into the main break.
The Bulldogs fared better in the second half, scoring eight goals to nine, but ultimately weren’t able to make inroads to the half time deficit.
The Stars’ kicked six goals to four in the third term to effectively have the match in their keeping, before the Bulldogs finished off to win the final quarter with four goals to three.
The strong win kept the Stars’ faint hopes of a top five finish alive, although they will need to finish the season with their best football. Their percentage of just 95 could be a factor in determining their end of season finish.
Stars young gun Thomas Fitzpatrick is beginning to find his feet at senior level, booting five goals on Saturday.
The Stars would be pleased that their younger players stood up in the win, with Daniel Helmore kicking three goals and also listed amongst the Stars’ best.
Saxon Watson, Sam Batson, Jonathan Sauze and Tyson Payne were also influential.
Jason Williams booted three goals for Bunyip, while Nathan Lieshout, Lachlan Petch, Michael Laszczyk, Brad Wolfe and Ben Stewart also helped the Bulldogs complete a stronger second half.
Panthers escape
Kilcunda-Bass escaped with a narrow victory over a fast finishing Koo wee rup, 11-11 (77) to 11-5 (71).
It was another Jekyll and Hyde performance from the Demons, who again let their opposition out to a handy lead before a fast finish that saw them ultimately just fall short.
It’s a theme that could prove costly in terms of where the Demons finish, having let another opportunity slip.
Four goals to one in the first term set the Panthers on their way to handy buffer and while the Demons kept in touch, they just couldn’t make any inroads to the deficit.
Trailing by 24-points at the final change, the Demons still had a sniff and a dominant final term almost saw them steal it.
Five goals to two put the Panthers under real pressure, but they would hold on to keep their hopes of a top two finish well and truly alive.
Mitchell Collins kicked four goals on his return from injury, while Craig Dyker, Jesse Hand, Mitchell Leek, Nathan Voss, Luke Walker and Bailey Galante also helped the Demons in their efforts to charge home.
Jason Wells kicked four goals for the Panthers, while Taylor Gibson, Chris Endres, Ben Law, Jaidyn Burgess and Mitchell Witham also helped the side kick out to a match-winning lead.
Cobras strike Goon
Cora Lynn put a dent in Nar Nar Goon’s ambitions, with the Cobras too strong in winning 17-10 (112) to 10-7 (67).
The Goon took a narrow four-point lead into quarter time, and looked every chance of continuing their resurgence back into finals contention.
While the Cobras kicked to the lead in the second term, the Goon kept in touch with the match well and truly alive heading into the final quarter.
With the Cobras looking to consolidate their position in the five, they dashed the Goon’s hopes in the final term, slamming through seven goals to two to comfortably run away with it.
Goals were shared by the Cobras. Nathan Langley led the way with five goals, while Jason Toan (four) and Ryan Gillis (three) also chipped in.
Jaxon Briggs, Jackson Dalton, Jeremy Monckton, Lochie Peluso and Nathan Gillis also helped the Cobras finish strongly.
Kris Fowler, Trent Armour, Tyler Payroli, Tyler Joosten, Brendan Hermann (three goals) and Todd Beck worked hard to keep the Goon in the contest.
Sea Eagles too good
Inverloch-Kongwak continued their run at the top of the table, proving far too good for Korumburra-Bena.
The Giants’ improvement of form in recent times was cast aside as the Sea Eagles were never headed in winning 18-18 (126) to 4-7 (31).
The Sea Eagles booted five goals in the first term and extended their lead to handy 56-point buffer at the main break.
While the Giants kept it tight in the third term, the floodgates eventually opened again as the Sea Eagles booted seven majors in the final term to add to their already healthy percentage.
The Giants did manage three consolation goals in the final term, but the match was well and truly done with.
Tom Bartholomew was the main target up forward for the Sea Eagles, booting five goals, while Andy Soumilas chipped in with three majors in a best afield effort.
Shem Hawking, Daniel Houston and Josh Purcell were other strong performers in the big win.
Ben Fitzpatrick, John Amaya, Jake McMillan, Brenton Fitzgerald, Will Jeffs and Jye Celebrine battled against the odds for the Giants.
Island slide
Phillip Island’s recent slide continued, this time suffering a big loss to the hands of Dalyston in Sunday’s AFL Victoria Country game of the month.
Following a big loss to Cora Lynn the week prior, the Island were no match for the Magpies in front of AFL legend David Parkin and North Melbourne AFL player Ben Brown.
Trailing by just 10 points at the first change, the Island simply couldn’t keep going with the Magpies, who began scoring at a fast rate on the way to winning 22-10 (142) to 10-13 (73).
Chris Graham kicked five goals, assisted by Michael Marotta, Travis Krause and Matt Rosendale. Brad Fisher, Clay Tait and Anthony Bernado were also prominent.
Jarrod Andreatta, Mark Griffin, Matthew Jackson, Brendan Kimber, James Taylor and Alex Redmond.