Phillip Island flex muscle over Dusties
Phillip Island vs Warragul Industrials
The Dusties have gone down in their first loss of the season, falling to premiership favourite Phillip Island 12.17 (89) to 8.11 (59).
Warragul Industrials, coming off a strong round one win over Garfield, were in the match early against the Bulldogs, trailing by just six points at quarter time, though this was in part due to the scoring inaccuracy of their opponents, who kicked 2.6 to open the game.
The second quarter saw the home team begin to build a lead, led by reigning league best and fairest Cameron Pedersen, as they kicked four goals to two to take a 21 point lead into the main break.
It was the third quarter, however, where Phillip Island really flexed their muscles and put the game to bed, putting five more goals on the board while restricting the Dusties to just four behinds to put the margin beyond forty points.
Warragul Industrials managed to score some late consolation goals to keep the game respectable, but were clearly outmatched and will have some improvements to make should they wish to challenge the upper echelon of the competition.
Along with Pedersen, the best for the Bulldogs included Harry O'Brien, Daniel Pearce, Mark Griffin, Jaymie Youle and Zak Vernon, while best on for the Dusties were Luke Walker, Todd Beck, Bailey Beck, Nic Visser, Corey Micari and Shane Brewster.
Bunyip vs Cora Lynn
Bunyip scored a major win over the weekend to kickstart their season, overcoming a solid Cora Lynn side by 15 points.
The Bulldogs showed a major improvement in their scoring capacity, led by four goals to Connor Steel, kicking more goals in the first half than they did for their entire round one match against Nar Nar Goon, to open up a 25 point lead at the half.
Meanwhile Cora Lynn once again felt the effects of missing their reigning league leading goalkicker Nathan Gardiner as they struggled to keep up with Bunyip's firepower.
On a positive note for the Cobras, though they lacked a genuine strong goalkicking target, the team overall had nine individual goalkickers in what was an even team performance led by strong showings from the likes of Chris Johnson, Luke Hartley and new recruit Cory Machaya.
Bunyip will now look ahead to round two to a winnable match-up against local rival Garfield as they look to continue their form forward having opened their win ledger for 2022.
Best on for Bunyip were Duncan Proud, Riley Rundell, Connor Steel, Blake Cann, Nathan Allen and Dylan Gallasch.
Garfield vs Nar Nar Goon
Garfield have continued their poor start to the season, succumbing to rival Nar Nar Goon 9.8 (62) to 17.16 (118).
The Stars never really looked in the contest, once again struggling to find consistent avenues to goal as they were overwhelmed by The Goon, who shared none of their opponents' scoring woes.
Four goals each to Mitchell and Matthew Homfray, as well as a maestro performance from Bradley Homfray, ensured The Goon kept the good times rolling in their round two match as they booted between three and five goals in every quarter.
The game raises more questions for new Garfield coach Paul Carbis to answer, as he tries to figure out his team's best configuration to unlock their scoring potential, and will take some consolation out of a third quarter that score the Stars kick four goals to three, despite the game being out of reach by that point.
Aside from the Homfrays, the best for Nar Nar Goon were Brent Hughes, Brendan Hermann and Jake Smith, while Garfield's best were Angus Emery, Jonathan Sauze, Zac Soutar, Jack Tenace-Greenall, Mehdi Daoud and Ryan Smith.
Inverloch-Kongwak vs Koo Wee Rup
Despite a positive start and another brilliant performance from forward Jason Wells, it wasn't to be for Koo Wee Rup as they fell to Inverloch-Kongwak by 49 points.
Following a solid win in round one, the Demons continued their momentum in the first half against a very good Inverloch-Kongwak side, going into half time only 12 points down despite the quality of their opponents.
However the second half became telling as Koo Wee Rup's young side tired, and despite the efforts of Wells (five goals), could not go with their more experienced opponents, who piled on 12 goals to the Demons' six in the second half to run away with the game 18.11 (119) to 10.8 (68).
The Sea Eagles for their part played a very professional game, riding out the periods of the game where they did not have momentum and absorbing pressure before showing exactly why they are considered one of the premiership favourites this season.
Inverloch-Kongwak were led by their own forward line hero in Toby Mahoney (seven goals), with further contributions from Tom Hams (three goals) and Tristan Van Driel (three goals).
Despite the loss, the Demons will take much out of the performance in which they showed that when they get their game up and running they are capable of matching it with the best, something that the 2021 version of the team could not often claim to.
Koo Wee Rup's best were Matthew Voss, Travis Bindley, Jason Wells, Ethan McDonald, Riley Battams and Jake Smith.
Best for Inverloch-Kongwak were Mahoney, Corey Casey, Ethan Park, Dylan Clark, Xavier Hughes and Lewis Rankin
Tooradin-Dalmore vs Korumburra Bena
Tooradin-Dalmore look to be in dangerous form early this season, handing out another thrashing this week as they dispatched Korumburra Bena by 96 points.
Fresh off their 75 point thumping of Kilcunda Bass in round one, the Seagulls continued exactly where they left off, kicking seven goals to two in the first quarter and never taking their foot off the helpless Giants' throats as they romped to a 22.17 (149) to 8.5 (53) win.
Particularly scary for the rest of the competition was the spread of Tooradin-Dalmore's scoring, having 11 individual goalkickers in an even team performance that leaves them on top of the ladder after two rounds.
Adrian Gileno (four goals) and James Trezise (four goals) were the leading goalkickers for the home side, while the reliable Josh Fermanis (three goals) was the only multiple goalkicker for the Giants.
It's a nightmare start to the season for Korumburra Bena, who have met two of the stronger teams in the competition and struggled to make inroads against either of them.
The Seagulls best were Trezise, Kristopher Sabbatucci, Brent Macaffer, Cooper Shipp, Brad Butler and Lewis Hill, while Fermanis, Zach Walker, Darcy Hargrave, Daniel Brown and Troy Brown were the Giants' best
Kilcunda Bass vs Dalyston
Kilcunda Bass have bounced back after a horror round one, accounting for Dalyston to the tune of seven points.
After being demolished by Tooradin-Dalmore last week, the Panthers had plenty to prove as they notched up their first win of the season 11.9 (75) to 10.8 (68).
It was another close of being close but not close enough for Dalyston, who benefitted from another excellent performance from recruit Adam Amin (seven goals), but struggled to find scores through other avenues.
The match remained close throughout the day, with the Panthers going into the last quarter leading by just nine points before two goals to both teams in the final term ensured Kilcunda Bass would walk away with their first victory of 2022.
Kilcunda Bass recruit Nathan Foote was dominant around the ground, and was ably supported by Taylor Gibson, Cam McKenzie, Benjamin Eddy, Jake Weightman and James Phillips who were all in the Panthers' best.
Best on for Dalyston were Adam Amin, Brendan Walsh, Louis Armstrong, Curtis Murfett, Omar Ashkar and Jye Loughridge.