Goon continues charge
Nar Nar Goon continued to make its push for a finals berth in the West Gippsland Football Netball Competition, comfortably brushing aside a struggling Bunyip, 12-13 (85) to 6-6 (42).
The Goon gradually kicked out to a 17-point lead at half-time, before making their move in the third term with four goals to one effectively make it a bridge too far for the struggling Bulldogs.
While the gap to the top five remained at eight points and percentage, the Goon have given themselves to threaten should they continue with their present form.
Trent Armour, Brendan Hermann, Robert Cracknell, Jesse Cribbes, Tyler Payroli and Todd Beck helped the Goon kick away to a strong win.
Lachlan Petch, Michael Whyte, Joel Gibson, Nathan Lieshout, Jeb McLeod and Zac Vanssitart did their best to stem the tide for the Bulldogs, who remain searching for their first win in their new competition.
Demons keep buffer
Koo wee rup kept its buffer to the sixth-placed Nar Nar Goon with a comfortable win over fellow finals aspirant Phillip Island.
The Demons kicked away with six goals to two in the first term and maintained that advantage before embarking on their customary strong finish to win 16-18 (114) to 9-8 (62).
Poor starts have proven costly for a Jekyll and Hyde Koo wee rup outfit in big games this season, and the Demons will no doubt be pleased with their strong start against its challenging rival.
Four goals to three behinds in the final term saw the Demons kick away and put an exclamation mark on the result.
Nathan Voss, Anthony Guiliano and Luke McMaster each kicked three goals for the Demons, while Luke Walker, Daniel Calteri, Troy Dolan and Tim Miller were also instrumental to the outcome.
Steven Pimm kicked four goals, while Shane Taylor chipped in with three majors, but ultimately didn’t have the support with just one other goal kicker.
Brendan Kimber, James Taylor, Matthew Jackson, Aaron Edwards, Mark Griffin and Alex Redmond were listed among the Island’s better players.
Stars hopes alive
Garfield kept its faint hopes alive with victory at Korumburra, 7-10 (52) to 4-9 (33).
The ability of the Stars’ defence to restrict the Giants to just two goals to three-quarter-time proved instrumental in the final result.
To the Giants’ credit they played the match out to the end, winning the final term to eat into the margin.
Ned Marsh managed three goals in what was a low scoring affair, while Ryan Archer, Blair Smith, Sam Batson, Dean Johnson and Tyler McDonald were also key in driving the victory.
William Jeffs, Jake McMillan, Brock Dorling, Jesse Van Rooye, Alex Johnston and Cameron Trewin helped the Giants make a strong finish.
Magpies keep pace
Dalyston kept pace at the top of the ladder, holding off a wasteful Kilcunda-Bass side 9-13 (67) to 6-18 (54).
The Magpies kicked out to a 10-point lead following a tightly contested first half and kept the challenging Panthers at bay.
On their day the Panthers are a very capable side able to defeat anyone else in the competition, but inaccuracy proved detrimental in this instance.
The Panthers, who had registered 412 to three-quarter-time, made a final quarter charge but a return of 2-6 proved detrimental when compared to the accuracy of the Magpies, who returned 3-3.
Coach and former Carlton forward Brad Fisher led the way, backed up by Michael Marotta, Kristian Butler, Jack Legione and Anthony Bernado.
Matthew Edwards, Dale Crawford, Taylor Gibson, Mitchell Witham, David Hutchinson and Ben Law did their best to mount a challenge for Kilcunda-Bass.
Cobras, Eagles rest
Cora Lynn and Inverloch-Kongwak had the bye as virtue of playing off in the season opening match in March.