Stars beat Bulldogs for bragging rights
The West Gippsland Football Netball Competition finally had a full round of six matches over the weekend, with plenty of big results.
Two local rivals battled it out for bragging rights, while Warragul Industrials were involved in a real test of willpower.
Garfield vs Bunyip
Garfield have won back the Tom Cleary Perpetual Cup with a commanding win against Bunyip.
The Stars, who showed plenty of improvement in their round one performance, were consistently too strong for their Bulldogs counterparts as they won 16.11 (107) to 7.8 (50).
Jack Tenace-Greenall backed up his excellent round one performance with another five-goal haul as he continues his promising development, while Angus Emery and Joshua Evans also replicated their solid form.
After a relatively even start that could have seen them down at quarter time if not for some inaccurate Bunyip goalkicking, the Stars clicked into gear in the second quarter.
Their midfielders began to control the clearances which allowed them repeated chances inside 50. With Tenace-Greenall in the form he is, the Stars opened up a 16-point buffer at half time.
From a Bunyip perspective, there was still plenty to like. Alex Djikstra was his reliable self, while recruit Chase Saunders was consistently dangerous around the goals, ending the match with four majors.
From there, however, Garfield were always able to hold their opponents at arm's length. Anytime the Bulldogs challenged, the Stars were able to respond.
Eventually, as tends to happen in footy, the dam wall broke in the fourth term with Garfield putting on four more goals to none to run out big winners. They could have made a big win into a massive one had they kicked straight, their seven behinds in the quarter keeping the final margin below 10 goals.
The win continues the evident improvement Garfield has shown since their one-win season last year. They look a more hardened unit, and will be keen to challenge every team they face this year.
Garfield coach Paul Carbis said the result was very pleasing, especially given the youth in the side.
"The boys have got a bit of belief now," he said.
"For us, it was about sticking to the same processes and the boys went out and executed."
For Bunyip, it's a case of back to the drawing board. The Bulldogs have shown some strong footy in patches so far but, as is expected with a team playing plenty of youth, the consistency needs some work.
Garfield knows what that's like, having experienced it last season. But with their solid improvement shown thus far, it's evident their hard work is paying off.
Warragul Industrials vs Tooradin-Dalmore
Warragul Industrials gave it a redhot crack against the very best, but were just barely unable to get a win against Tooradin-Dalmore on Sunday's Anzac clash.
The Dusties, playing against the reigning premiers, were full of heart and endeavour for the entire game.
In the end though, the vast wealth of talent and experience the Seagulls have won out, consigning the Dusties to a 10.9 (69) to 11.15 (81) defeat.
While the Dusties lost the match, they certainly wouldn't have lost any respect in the eyes of their home fans, taking the league's very best side to the edge and very nearly getting the best of them.
The Dusties' effort was personified by Mason McGarrity, who put his body on the line at every forward half contest. He booted four goals to top all comers.
Michael Debenham and Bailey Beck were similarly strong, keeping the pressure up from start to finish.
The Seagulls, at times, appeared rattled by the resistance they were experiencing, given their last match against the Dusties had ended in a comfortable victory.
After a solid first half by both sides, however, it was the good old premiership quarter that saw Tooradin-Dalmore flex their muscles.
Liam Adams and Hayden Bertoli-Simmonds helped the Seagulls get consistent first use of the ball. Their ability to finish in front of goal, however, kept Warragul in the contest.
A return of 3.6 to 2.0 for the term had the Seagulls 12 up going into the last, their poor goalkicking giving more than enough hope that the Dusties could pull off an upset.
It wasn't to be though, as although Warragul never stopped trying, the class of Tooradin-Dalmore eventually won out. That third quarter ended up being the period that separated the two teams.
Warragul Industrials now find themselves 0-2, but given they've copped a brutal draw against the two grand finalists from last year and managed to push both of them, it's not a cause for alarm yet.
Next week's match against Bunyip looms as a big chance to get themselves on the board.
Kilcunda Bass vs Dalyston
Dalyston put the ghosts of round one behind them as they scored a shock win over Kilcunda Bass.
Having been totally demolished by Koo wee rup in round one, it was a much more determined Magpies outfit that pulled off the 14.8 (92) to 10.13 (73) win.
Given that they were only able to register two goals for the entirety of last week, their return of 14 goals this week will please fans in the black and white.
The match was an absolute coin flip for most of the day as neither side were able to effectively shake the other. A one-point buffer Dalyston's way was all that separated the two going into the final term, before a four-goal-to-one flurry sealed a great win for the visitors.
William Clarke, Mitch Hallahan and Brayden Duve were among the most influential for the Magpies. Kilcunda Bass will be left to wonder what happened, given their solid performance against Tooradin-Dalmore last week. Anthony Daraio, Dean Mcrae and Bradley Aldwell all put in their heart and soul, but in the end the Panthers just had too many passengers.
Korumburra-Bena vs Cora Lynn
Cora Lynn were able to pull off a relatively simple win over Korumburra-Bena on the weekend.
The Cobras rarely looked troubled for much of the day, piling on 14 goals to three after quarter time to register a 17.16 (118) to 5.3 (33) victory.
Nathan Villella put on his best performance yet in Cobras colours and was ably supported by experienced campaigners like Lachlyn Peluso and Luke Hartley, as the Cobras controlled the contest and made the Giants pay in the forward half.
This was thanks to the returning Ryan Gillis, who continued his improving form as he works his way into the season with three goals, and the ever-reliable Nathan Gardiner, who booted six.
Jordan Grabham, Tyler Newton, Matt Kennewell and Blake Webb were all earnest in their efforts for the Giants. But this was a game that Korumburra-Bena never really looked in, with the joy of their round one win over Bunyip being quickly forgotten.
They'll now have to quickly put aside this game and focus on next week's match against Dalyston, another side who had their struggles last season, as a genuine opportunity for a second win.
Phillip Island vs Inverloch-Kongwak
Fortress Cowes has been breached. Phillip Island's incredible run at their home oval, where they have lost just once since the beginning of 2019, was brought to an end on Saturday as Inverloch-Kongwak announced themselves as a genuine contender.
The Sea Eagles were simply outstanding for much of the day, refusing to give an inch to their much-vaunted opponents as they won 13.10 (88) to 7.10 (52).
The first half in particular, was a sign of just what they might be capable of this year, and just might be leaving other teams very nervous. Inverloch-Kongwak burst out of the blocks, kicking 4.2 to just one behind in the first term.
By half time, they had 8.5 on the board while the Bulldogs had managed just 1.5, the 42-point deficit leaving the home fans in shock. They've seen many a bloodbath at their home ground, but they're not used to seeing the shoe be on the other foot.
And while the Bulldogs managed to generally even up the contest in the second half, they never looked like making any ground on the visitors' lead.
Sea Eagles coach Tom Hams was a man on a mission, bullocking his way through any Bulldog who found themselves in his way. He formed a lethal combination with forward Toby Mahoney, who ensured the Inverloch-Kongwak domination around the ground was rewarded by kicking five.
Wily veteran Andy Soumilas showed all of his experience, alongside the intelligent play of Tate Short.
For Phillip Island, Mark Griffin, Jack Taylor and coach Cam Pedersen played lone hands, the side seemingly shellshocked at their inability to match the Sea Eagles' hard edge.
Make no mistake, Inverloch-Kongwak are a team to watch this season.
Koo wee rup vs Nar Nar Goon
If Koo wee rup were on cloud nine after last week's thumping win, then Nar Nar Goon have officially brought them crashing back down to earth.
The Goon were relentless against their neighbours, particularly in a second half 12-goals-to-two blitz that saw then run out 17.21 (123) to 5.5 (35) winners.
The nature of the Goon's second half domination was a bit of a surprise given how even the match had appeared at times in the first half. Nar Nar Goon were clearly looking the better side, but with a mere three-goal advantage at half time, an 88-point win didn't appear on the cards.
Nate Pipicelli and Jake Smith were the main orchestrators around the ground for the Goon. Newcomer Deon Boavida made the most out his Goon debut, booting five while former-Port Adelaide rookie Trent Burgoyne was electric.
Winners around the ground were hard to come by for the Demons, but Nathan Voss and Travis Bindley never stopped trying all day.
It was a stark contrast to their match against Dalyston, where they seemed untouchable at times. The Demons will have to head back to the drawing board, given a tough assignment against Cora Lynn awaits.