Stars top ladder
Garfield sit atop the West Gippsland Football Competition ladder after accounting for rivals Nar Nar Goon in wintery conditions on Saturday.
With Nar Nar Goon entering the season with high ambitions and hoping to build on last year’s finals appearance, all eyes will now be on the Stars to see if they can replicate that form as they look for a meteoric rise under new coach Hayden Stanton.
The Stars held the edge in the first half, kicking the first goal of the contest and only major of the first term in what would prove to be a low scoring affair.
Despite good conditions at Beswick Street, the weather hampered high scoring and a tight second term ensued, the Stars heading into the main break with a three-point lead after both sides managed two goals in the second term.
Following last week’s second quarter lapse, this time the Stars fell away in the third term as the Goon added two goals to hold a valuable 11-point lead at the final change.
It has almost proven costly in both wins this season and coach Stanton will be looking for a four quarter effort to arrest that trend.
Fortunately for the Stars they finished the stronger team, doubling their three-quarter-time goal tally to run out victor 6-10 (46) to 5-5 (35).
In conditions not conducive to scoring, Adam Macgibbon and Todd Beck each kicked two goals.
Corie Intveen, Tanner Stanton, Daniel Helmore, Nicholas Mecente, Zac Soutar and Blair Smith helped the Stars power home to victory.
Beck, Trent Noy, Jake Rose, Mitchell Virtue and Brent Hughes helped Nar Nar Goon to a three-quarter-time lead, with the Savs unable to finish off in the final term.
Eagles hold on
The match between fourthplaced Inverloch-Kongwak and fifth-placed Koo wee rup promised to be match of the day, and it lived up to its billing.
The reigning premiers were able to hold on against a much improved Demons side who are showing capabilities of pushing further up the ladder.
Scores were locked at 1-2 apiece at quarter time as the windy conditions forced the ball out of play on several occasions.
The Demons kicked the only goal of the second term to edge ahead to a five-point lead, but the Sea Eagles made their move in the third term to show their class.
Three goals to one handed the Sea Eagles a nine-point lead at the final change and while they were held scoreless in the final term, conditions dictated that the lead would be too much to reel in.
Micheal Eales, Corey Casey, Ryan Sparkes, Campbell McKenzie, Lachlan Scott and Shem Hawking helped the Sea Eagles hold firm.
The Demons managed three behinds in the final term and would have felt an opportunity to cause an upset slip.
Nathan Voss, Craig Dyker, Troy Dolan, Caleb Milojevic, Tim Miller and Daniel Calteri were among their better players.
Cobras strike
Cora Lynn comfortably accounted for Bunyip under lights on Saturday, 11-19 (85) to 810 (58).
While the rain had subsided, both sides found the night time conditions challenging.
The Cobras would have felt they should have held a greater lead at half time, ruing gettable missed shots on goal.
The Bulldogs showed they will have what it takes to improve as the season progresses, but failing to capitalise on Cora Lynn turnover proved to be a costly difference.
The Bulldogs would often find themselves in a good position, only to be let down by poor field kicking to waste golden opportunities to open up the Cobras.
Jai Rout and Jackson Dalton each kicked three goals for the Cobras, with Rylan Smith, Jayden Deas, Ryan Spierings and Levi Munns also among their better players.
Jason Fisher kicked three goals for a young Bunyip side.
Damien Szwaja, Trent Westwood, Nathan Allen, Reid Jenkin, Matthew O’Halloran and Eamon Tomlin were the better players for the Bulldogs.
Bulldogs bite
Phillip Island brushed aside Dalyston.
Overcoming a goalless first term, the Bulldogs scored consistently from that point to build their lead on the way to winning 8-14 (62) to 5-3 (33).
Jack Taylor, Brendan Kimber, Marcus Wright, Jaymie Youle, Daniel Larsson and Jordan Pattulo were the better players for the Bulldogs in a workman like performance.
Darcy Brosnan proved the best forward on the day steering through three majors, but was unable to find much support.
Panthers pounce
Kilcunda Bass held off a fast finishing Korumburra/Bena under lights, scoring 6-3 (39) to 38 (26).
Four goals to nil in the third quarter set up an handy buffer for the Panthers, who held on as the Giants scored all three of their goals in the final quarter.
Taylor Gibson, Mitchell Witham, Ben Arnold, Hayden Spierings, Sean Casey and Aiden Paton helped the Panthers establish a comfortable lead.
Jake McMillan, Beau Anthony, Alex Johnston, Brad Monson, Rhys Dixon and Jye Celebrine led the final quarter charge for the Giants.