Dusties feel the bite against Cobras
The home and away season came to an end over the weekend in the West Gippsland Football Netball Competition, as attention now turns to the upcoming finals series.
Some of the teams that missed out finished their seasons well though, as thoughts for them turn to next year.
Warragul Industrials vs Cora Lynn
The Warragul Industrials have missed out on a major opportunity to send a warning to the rest of the competition just before finals, falling just short against Cora Lynn.
Going up against an opponent who had won 11 of their 12 games prior to this one, the Dusties looked poised to steal the game at various times but were unable to get over the line, losing 9.5 (59) to 10.8 (68).
This was, in large part, thanks to the efforts of superstar Cobras forward Nathan Gardiner, who piled on seven goals to claim the league's leading goalkicker award for the third consecutive season.
It's an incredible effort from a player who began the year coming back from an injury, putting him well behind the pace of some of his peers. Even more incredibly, Gardiner kicked 37 goals in his last five games of the year to steal the award, meaning he looms as a major factor in the upcoming finals.
The Dusties themselves were behind the pace of the game early, as the Cobras raced out to an early lead, booting four goals to one in the first term.
They fought back in the second and third terms though, led by the efforts of Wilson McGillivray and Will Gibson, and were able to drag the margin back to just two points at three quarter time.
The match to that stage had been a rather dour affair in terms of scoring, with both sides managing just the five goals each to the final change of ends. That quickly changed though, as the tiring bodies meant that defensive pressure fell just that little bit. From there, the game turned into a shootout.
Things suddenly roared to life, with nine goals in the final quarter alone. While, at times, the Dusties looked set to snatch victory, it was the Cobras who made it 12 wins from their last 13 games.
It's an extraordinary effort from a side that began the year 0-5, though it must be noted that during their final 13 games they faced a side in the top four just once. That one loss in that span was that one match, which saw them demolished by Phillip Island. It means the Cobras are a bit of a wildcard side for the finals, and it will be interesting to see how they progress.
For the Dusties, while the result was a disappointment, they will now need to refocus on next week, where they will face Inverloch-Kongwak in their maiden West Gippsland Football Netball Competition finals appearance.
The Dusties were thoroughly outplayed the two times they met the Sea Eagles, meaning if they want to progress any further they'll have to play their best footy.
It must be remembered they were one of just two sides to defeat the mighty Phillip Island in a game that showed their capabilities Now we must wait to see if they can replicate that effort.
Dalyston vs Bunyip
Bunyip finished off their season on a positive note with a solid win over Dalyston on enemy territory.
The Bulldogs were made to work for it perhaps a little more than they would have liked, but were too strong in the end as they won 11.12 (78) to 7.10 (52).
Dylan Gallasch and Daniel Helmore both enjoyed a solid day in front of goals with three majors each, while Dylan Cann, Nathan Allen and Aaron Paxton were all strong.
Bunyip were certainly tested though, particularly in a first half that saw Dalyston put up their best showing in many weeks. It meant that, while the Bulldogs were still in front, they led by just 10 points at half time.
A strong third term, however, saw them put on four goals to one to push their lead out to 30 at the final change of ends. This margin was always going to be out of reach for a team like Dalyston.
While the year has turned to disappointment for Bunyip, they did manage to finish their year with three wins from their final five matches, though the two losses in that time were sizeable.
Having now finished seventh, they'll have plenty of motivation in the off-season to take that next step.
Kilcunda Bass vs Garfield
Garfield were unable to make it two wins from their final two games as they went down to Kilcunda Bass.
The Stars began and finished the game in a positive manner, but were unable to go with their opponents through the middle period of the match as they went down 8.7 (55) to 10.11 (71).
Jack Barnes enjoyed a season-best game in the backline, helping to restrict dangerous Panthers forwards Taylor Gibson and Marcus Baxter to limited scoreboard influence, while Joel Batson, Zac Soutar and Angus Emery were all solid.
Garfield actually managed two of the game's first three goals as they looked to carry the momentum of last week's drought breaking win forward. But, from there, Kilcunda Bass forged ahead, at times threatening to blow the margin out to an unreachable state.
This never happened though. While Garfield pushed, they were unable to reel in the Panthers, who claimed their seventh win of the year.
It means that Garfield has managed to avoid the wooden spoon. Given they have spent much of the year anchored to the bottom of the table, it is something they will be thankful for.
Nathan Foote, Dale Gawley, Taylor Gibson and Cam McKenzie were among the better players for Kilcunda Bass.
Koo wee rup vs Tooradin-Dalmore
Koo wee rup finished their season in lessthan-ideal circumstances, becoming the latest victim of the runaway train that is Tooradin-Dalmore.
The Demons certainly couldn't be accused of not trying, particularly early, but ran out of legs late as they were swept aside 11.5 (71) to 20.14 (134).
Jason Wells kicked four to finish third in the league's goalkicking with 74 total and cap off an outstanding season. Mitchell Cammarano and Nathan Voss tried hard but were simply unable to match the overwhelming power of their opponents.
For the visitors, it was the triple threat of James Tresize, Julian Suarez and Dylan Paarlberg who did the damage, kicking four goals each.
The Seagulls, while still looking comfortable, led at half time by 22 points, leaving the door ajar for a potential Demons comeback. It was soon shut, however, as the competition's top side put their foot down, kicking 11 goals to five in the second half to demolish any doubt.
Tooradin-Dalmore will now turn their attention to the finals series, having lost just one match through the home and away season. They'll be going in as favourites and, with this win, look to be in some ominous form.
Koo wee rup, meanwhile, will turn their attention to the off-season. The development of their youth has been promising, but they'll need to work on being able to match it with the bigger bodies of the top teams if they are to take that next step.
Nar Nar Goon vs Inverloch-Kongwak
It may have taken until the final round, but Nar Nar Goon have finally claimed the vital scalp they were after, thanks to a massive win over Inverloch-Kongwak.
The fourth-placed Goon have been an excellent side through much of the year, but have been simply unable to get the job done against the sides above them. That is, until they played what was just about their best match of the year to conquer the Sea Eagles 18.9 (117) to 11.10 (76).
Bradley Homfray was simply outstanding in a complete backline performance for his side, as they restricted the highly dangerous Inverloch-Kongwak forward line. Jeconiah Peni, Jake Smith and Luke Bettio were all also brilliant as their side found a strong ascendancy in the contested ball game to severely limit the visitors.
That's to say nothing of the forward line, led by another Dermott Yawney masterclass. Yawney finished the game with five goals. Despite his great day, he was cruelly denied the league goalkicking award thanks to another massive bag to Cora Lynn's Nathan Gardiner. Yawney still finished the home and away season with 77 goals, and will be keen to keep that form rolling into finals.
After some early back and forth, the Goon booted the last three goals of the first term to open up a 17-point lead at the first break. They never looked back, increasing their lead in every quarter to eventually run out easy winners.
It's a significant win for their year, given their previous failures to defeat the sides above them. While they are yet to prove themselves against the likes of Tooradin-Dalmore or Phillip Island, it still leaves them as a dangerous prospect come finals.
They'll meet Cora Lynn in their first final and, despite the form of the Cobras, the Goon should be entering as solid favourites for that clash.
Inverloch-Kongwak will look to bounce back for their own finals series against the Warragul Industrials.
Korumburra-Bena vs Phillip Island
Korumburra-Bena sewed up the wooden spoon when they were utterly dominated by Phillip Island.
The final score of 18.23 (131) to 3.6 (24) was the Giants' fifth loss of the season by 100 points or more in a year that has truly gotten away from the team.
Matthew Lello, Jay Walker and James Dunn were among the better performers for the home side. But, in truth, whatever they did mattered little as the Bulldogs ran riot from the first bounce.
In fact, the result could have been so much worse if not for some inaccuracy from Phillip Island. The Bulldogs managed 1.8 in the first quarter and 4.12 for the half. They were dominating all over the field, but just couldn't quite pile on the pain as much a they would have wanted, especially since Korumburra-Bena could muster just one behind in that same period of time.
In the end though, they fixed up their collective radar to put 14 more goals on the board in the second half as they look towards finals.
Their inaccuracy has been a bit of a theme at times though, and they will want to avoid their goalkicking woes in the weeks to come, lest it cost them dearly in a major final.
Max Blake top scored for Phillip Island with five goals, while Eli Richards, Zak Vernon and Jason Tomada were among their better players.