Little separates top four
Koo wee rup moved to top of the West Gippsland football ladder with a comfortable victory over Bunyip in round 16.
It was a round where the favourites comfortably won for the most part, with the exception of a battle between top teams Nar Nar Goon and InverlochKongwak.
The battle for top spot over the final two rounds will be intense, with just one win separating Koo wee rup and fourth-placed Nar Nar Goon.
The Demons hold top spot for the moment, courtesy of a comfortable victory over a building Bunyip.
The visitor kicked four goals to two and was never headed, with seven goals to one in the second term setting up the match winning margin.
The Bulldogs were more competitive in the second half, kicking four goals to five.
Jason Wells extended his lead at the top of the goal kickers list with six majors, while Luke McMaster chipped in with three goals.
Jesse Hand, Dominic Paynter, David Collins, Matthew Drommel and Brodie Yapp were other prominent players for the Demons.
Damien Szwaja, Dylan Gallasch, Matt O’Halloran, Brent Heus, Rickie Crockett and Cleyton Bertoncello led a competitive second half from Bunyip.
Goon storm home
A barnstorming second quarter helped Nar Nar Goon account for reigning premier InverlochKongwak.
Nine goals to the Sea Eagles’ five behinds opened a match winning lead, although the visitor did threaten to make a stunning comeback in the second half.
With an uneven playing surface playing on their minds, the Sea Eagles still managed to dominate the third term to kick five goals to one to put themselves back in the game.
The Goon were able to steady, with both sides scoring two goals in a final term arm wrestle.
Tom Dovaston kicked four goals while Shannon Stocco chipped in with three majors.
Brendan Hermann, Jake Blackwood, Trent Armour, Jarrod Mills-Franklin. Sam Blackwood and Thomas Blackwood led the second quarter charge for the Goon.
Cobras hold fifth
Cora Lynn defeated Korumburra-Bena to hold on to fifth position on the ladder.
While the Cobras led from start to finish, the persistent Giants were able to stay in touch as they went down 10-15 (75) to 7-8 (50).
Inaccuracy didn’t help the Cobras’ cause, as a better return than their 2-7 in the third term could have put the game on ice.
Instead the Cobras had to settle for a 20-point lead, one they were able to defend.
Jaxon Briggs continued to use his pace to advantage, kicking three goals.
Kevin Vandenberghe, Tristan Fernandez-Phillips, Chris Johnson, Andrew Green and William Thomas also helped the Cobras maintain control.
Stars still in hunt
Garfield easily accounted for cellar dweller Dalyston to remain in finals contention.
While the Magpies hung in to trail by 21-points at half time, a 10 goal to one second half saw the Stars to a comfortable victory, 1414 (98) to 2-7 (19).
Holding a seven goals lead at the final change, the Stars took the opportunity to add some percentage with a six goal final term.
Daniel Johnson finished with four goals, while Corie Intveen chipped in with three majors.
Daniel Helmore, Lachlan Schreurs, Noah Glen and Michael Wallace were the other standouts in a dominant second half from Garfield.
Bulldogs prepared
Phillip Island continued its preparations for finals with a thumping win over KilcundaBass, 13-12 (90) to 4-3 (27).
The Panthers entered quarter time trailing by just six points but couldn’t sustain the effort, managing just two goals for the remainder of the match while the Bulldogs steered through 10 majors.
Five goals to no score in the second term opened up a handy buffer for the Bulldogs and while the Panthers kicked the only goal of a torrid third term, the Bulldogs lifted again in the final quarter to finish with five goals to one.