Terrific top two come up trumps
The pecking order of the top four became a lot clearer this week in the West Gippsland Football Netball Competition, as the top two showed exactly why they're the teams to catch.
Meanwhile, the Warragul Industrials improved their already steady ladder position, and may just be poised to move even further up the table.
Phillip Island vs Nar Nar Goon
Nar Nar Goon came close to the most powerful of statements over the weekend before just falling short against Phillip Island.
Playing at their opponents' fortress at Cowes in what may be an early finals preview, the Goon had the home fans looking very nervous for most of the contest, but just weren't quite able to get over the line. They fell 8.6 (54) to 9.13 (67).
The tightness of the game and the fight the Goon displayed were all the more impressive given they were playing without the league's leading goalkicker in Dermott Yawney.
Matthew Homfray instead stood up in his absence, kicking four, while Trent Armour, Flynn Parker and Brent Hughes worked hard around the ground.
The match was a tight one all day, as the lead traded hands multiple times, and neither side were able to build a comfortable buffer at any stage.
Heading into the final term, Phillip Island led by just five points with a thrilling finish well and truly on the cards.
But as they have done so often over the past few years, when the game was up for grabs the Bulldogs found another gear to go to. They kept the Goon totally scoreless for the quarter to ensure they got the four points.
Eli Richards, Jack Taylor and Jesse Patullo were all vital for Phillip Island, who are now a game clear in second position. However, they remain two games behind Tooradin-Dalmore, meaning though Phillip Island remain wellplaced, the minor premiership appears unlikely.
Nar Nar Goon lost no admirers in their loss, but retain their position in fourth on the ladder. The Goon will have a role to play come finals time, but will need to be able to match the intensity of the top teams if they want to capture premiership glory.
Inverloch-Kongwak vs Tooradin-Dalmore
If you didn't already believe Tooradin-Dalmore were the unbackable favourites for this year's flag, you now have no more excuses.
The Seagulls once again flexed their muscles over the weekend as they thoroughly outworked and outplayed the third-placed Inverloch-Kongwak, winning 10.10 (70) to 5.8 (38).
It was Tooradin-Dalmore's 14th straight victory, leaving them undefeated and the clear team to beat for this year's flag.
Brady Egan, Stewart Scanlon and Brent Macaffer all kicked two goals each in what was an even spread up forward, but even more pleasing for the visitors was their defensive effort. Inverloch-Kongwak are hardly slack in their own forward end, and keeping them to just five goals for the day would have delighted the Seagulls' leadership.
Combined with the fact that they previously held the mighty Phillip Island to just three goals, it means the depth of Tooradin-Dalmore's list is quite evident.
Inverloch-Kongwak, meanwhile, will be left to rue another game in which they were found wanting against a top side. The Sea Eagles can dominate most teams in the league, but all three of their losses have been against the teams above them on the ladder, giving them plenty to work on as finals approach.
Lewis Rankin, Marcus Toussaint and Joe Soumilas all played solid games for the hosts, but the gulf in class was on display as they couldn't manage more than two goals in any quarter.
The question is now there for the rest of the league: can anyone actually beat Tooradin-Dalmore?
Warragul Industrials vs Dalyston
The Warragul Industrials took yet another big step in consolidating their spot inside the top six this week as they totally dismantled a dismal Dalyston.
With finals now on the horizon for the club, the match felt almost akin to a victory lap as they went wild from the first bounce. They kicked six goals to one in the first quarter to build a strong early lead before building upon it with each successive term, eventually winning 20.18 (138) to 7.3 (45).
Mason McGarrity and Travis Ogdenboth booted four goals each, while Kane Oldham, Michael Debenham and Shane Brewster were clearly having fun as the Dusties ran circles around the Magpies.
Mason Storr was the only multiple goalkicker for the visitors with three to be one of just a few winners across the ground for Dalyston.
The Magpies, who were surprisingly solid the last time these teams met earlier this year, were simply overwhelmed this time around. The Dusties had clearly learned since they were given a scare in that game, and were much more disciplined in their defensive efforts in the rematch.
With just four games left in the home and away season, the Dusties are three wins clear inside the top six. With three of their remaining matches against fellow top six sides, they can't be taking anything for granted.
A match next week against fourth-placed Nar Nar Goon looms as a real barometer for both teams.
Cora Lynn vs Kilcunda Bass
Cora Lynn resumed their winning ways, easily taking care of business against Kilcunda Bass.
Following on from their first loss since round five last week, the Cobras bounced back in style as they accounted for the Panthers 15.17 (107) to 6.4 (40).
After a relatively even opening quarter, Cora Lynn broke the game wide open in the second term, kicking 5.8 to zero to open a 46-point lead at the half and have the result essentially settled by half time.
This week it was some of the lesser-known lights that shone brightest for the Cobras, as William Thomas, Gus Da Costa and Chris Johnson all played excellent games. The forward line was a more predictable affair, with Nathan Gardiner once again top scoring for the home side with four.
Kilcunda Bass were again propped up by their top talent, the familiar names of Nathan Foote and Dale Gawley among their best. But, at the end of the day, the Panthers' lack of depth around the ground compared to their opponents was stark.
Prior to last week's loss against Tooradin-Dalmore, the Panthers had enjoyed a four-game win streak of their own. Given those wins were all against sides on the lower end of the ladder, their last two results have hardly been too surprising.
Cora Lynn remain two games clear in sixth position with just four games left. Though they'll clearly be ruing their slow start to the season, they still look to be a team with a role to play come finals.
Garfield vs Koo wee rup
Koo wee rup racked up another win, thanks to an absolute masterclass from forward Jason Wells.
Wells was in dominant form for his Demons, kicking nine goals as they ran riot all over Garfield to win 18.15 (123) to 7.5 (47).
If the Stars had their time over again, their new game plan may just have been to sit 18 players on top of Wells, but even that may not have worked.
Pre-season recruit Cosi Anagnostou played perhaps his best game of the year for Koo wee rup, who burst out of the blocks early and never looked back, thumping the Stars for the second time this season.
It was a dominant performance from the visitors, winning the ball at the contest with ease and giving their forwards great looks all day, and with the marking form Wells was in, everything spelled trouble for Garfield.
The win was Koo wee rup's sixth for the year, and once again displayed their proficiency for defeating the teams around and below them on the table. With a game against the struggling Korumburra-Bena to come next week, they'll be liking their chances of making it three straight wins.
For Garfield, the end of the season seemingly can't come fast enough. For a proud club that has sustained reasonable success for a long time, the now seemingly likely prospect of a totally winless season is a grim one and will have club officials eyeing the off-season to try and restore the club back to what it was.
Korumburra-Bena vs Bunyip
Bunyip's slim finals hopes remain alive after a big win over Korumburra-Bena.
The scoring issues that have plagued the Bulldogs in recent weeks were of no concern against the Giants' defence, as the visitors enjoyed a day out to win 15.14 (104) to 2.11 (23).
Matt Ross was the pick of the bunch up forward with four goals, while ruckman Reid Jenkin put on a clinic to allow Dylan Quirk and Chris Thuring to get off the chain in the middle.
An eight goal to one first half set Bunyip up for a big win and they didn't let up, ensuring they boosted their percentage in the process.
Korumburra-Bena certainly didn't help themselves at times, especially with their goalkicking. The Giants had six behinds on the board at quarter time, meaning they had actually been able to generate more scoring shots than their opponents, but still trailed at the break.
From there though, the Bulldogs tightened up. Though the home side managed to kick a major in the second quarter, it would be their only score for the term as the game was quickly snatched away from them.
Bunyip remain an outside chance for finals. But given they are still two games outside the top six with just four rounds left, it appears it will be too little, too late.
Next week's games (home team named first):
Cora Lynn vs Garfield;
Dalyston vs Phillip Island;
Kilcunda Bass vs Inverloch-Kongwak;
Koo wee rup vs Korumburra-Bena;
Nar Nar Goon vs Warragul Industrials; and Tooradin-Dalmore vs Bunyip.