By David Nagel
On a day when former AFL stars took centre stage ay Bunyip; it was a ho-hum affair on the remaining grounds of the West Gippsland Football Netball Competition on Saturday.
The top-five premiership contenders all stayed in synch with the other, banking mid-winter wins that all add up at the end of the season.
The ‘tight’ one of this week’s wrap took place at Cowes where Phillip Island scored a 12.17(89) to 6.7(43) victory over a plucky Kooweerup.
Key players Daniel Pearce and ruck Daniel Bourke were absent for the Bulldogs, who welcomed back Thomas ‘Prime Train’ Baulch for his second appearance for the season alongside a returning Damien Holmes.
The Bulldogs had the better of the first term, but wasted opportunities in front of the big sticks; booting 2.6 to 1.2 for the quarter.
They produced their best output for the contest in the second stanza, kicking 4.3 to 2.3 to take a 22-point grip on proceedings at half time.
The Bulldogs built their lead steadily from there; making it 10-straight wins along the way.
They should make it 13 straight, with upcoming games against Garfield, Warragul Industrials and Dalyston, before tough contests against Inverloch-Kongwak and Nar Nar Goon to finish off the season.
Skipper Jack Taylor was once again instrumental in a Bulldogs’ victory, booting three goals for the winners, while a refurbished Alex Duyker and Travis Woodfield chimed in with a couple each.
Former skipper Jaymie Youle relished the conditions for the Doggies, joining Hayden Bruce and Max Walton in a productive midfield unit.
Nathan Voss returned fire for the Demons, kicking three goals on a day not suited to forwards, while dangerous half forward Luke McMaster chipped in with two to his name.
Voss, Nathan Muratore and Zak banks were terrific for the Dees, who host Nar Nar Goon this week to finish off a tough three rounds of footy.
The Doggies head to Beswick Street to take on a last-start-winning Garfield.
Reigning-premier Inverloch-Kongwak welcomed back some serious talent on Saturday as the Sea Eagles kicked clear for a 13.19(97) to 6.8(44) victory over Warragul Industrials.
Gun midfielder Ethan Park was back after a three-week stint on the sidelines while Jarvis Pryor, Nick Baltas, Tom Wyatt and Trent Bacon also made their way in.
The Sea Eagles had plenty of the footy in the opening half – creating 20 scoring shots to five – but kicked 6.14 to 3.2 to keep the Dusties within touching distance.
The champs only had 12 scoring shots in the second half, but kicked 7.5 to fall just three points short of their opening output.
Emerging full-forward Jarvis Harvey slotted five for the Eagles, while Tate Short continued his important transition from back to forward with a classy three-goal performance.
Short has now kicked goals in all six games since being moved forward in round eight.
The Dusties were never really in the hunt; but had some great news on the day with heart-and-soul midfielder Will Gibson kicking a goal in his first game back since round one.
Mason McGarrity kicked two for the Dusties, while Todd beck was impressive in just his second game back from a spell.
Inverloch stays at home, hosting Dalyston this week, while the Dusties will look to break a four-game losing streak against the Giants at the Korumburra Showgrounds.
Cora Lynn has joined Phillip Island in making it 10-straight wins after the Cobras proved far too classy for Korumburra-Bena at the Cobradome.
The Giants were okay in the first and last quarters, conceding just five goals in total, but coughed up 14.6 in the middle stages of the match.
Will Stephenson missed his first game since the opening day of the season for the Cobras, allowing Logan Fox to make his senior debut.
Fox did some nice things as the Cobras marched their way to a 19.16(130) to 5.1(31) win.
Spearhead Nathan Gardiner matched the Giants off his own boot, slotting five goals for the Cobras, while Lachie Coverdale and Cory Machaya were both super dangerous with four snags apiece.
Luke Black and Lachie Peluso were terrific for the Cobras down back, while Jimmy Munro and Luke Ryan exuded class through the midfield.
Tom Crocker kicked two for the Giants, who had Mitch Wightman and Joel Cuman amongst their best performers.
The Cobras head to Tooradin this week for a round 14 blockbuster, while the Giants begin the first of consecutive home games against the Dusties.
Nar Nar Goon has kept itself in top-two calculations with a professional display; winning 15.10(100) to 3.5(23) on the road against Dalyston.
The Goon had to overcome a severe case of PTSD heading into this one; returning for the first time to the scene of their one-point loss to Phillip Island in last year’s preliminary final.
Two players who have no such memories, recruits Harry Brain and Matt Gentile, were the stars for the Goon on the weekend.
Brain slotted six, his highest output in Goon colours, while Gentile fell one goal short of his six-goal effort from round two.
Intercept defender James Cairns was once again effective for the Gooners, while Jacob Keysers, Trent Armour and Luke Bettio were solid four-quarter performers.
The experienced Hayden Wallis kicked two for the Magpies, while Kyle Kirk, Blake Carew and playing-coach Mitch Hallahan were influential figures on the day.
Dalyston host Inverloch this week, while the Goon will prepare for a tough run home with a visit to neighboring Kooweerup.
And finally, talented half-forward Xavier Shinners booted seven goals to lead Tooradin-Dalmore to a 51-pioint victory over Kilcunda-Bass.
Shinners has discovered a real thirst for kicking goals in recent times, with 14 of his 21 goals coming in his last three matches.
He kicked five against the Giants, then two against the Dusties; before saving his best work for the redemption game against the Panthers.
They’ve rectified the situation have the Seagulls, but that four-point loss to the Panthers in round two could still prove very costly.
The Gulls kicked five goals in three of the four quarters on the weekend, with the Panthers only getting a handle on the Gulls in the third; when they outscored the visitors by eight points.
Piva Wright kicked three for the winners, and Brad Butler two, while Luke McKenna, Lewis Hill, Troy Dolan and Adam Oxley were key figures around the ground.
Travis Tuck continued his great season for the Panthers, booting three, while key-forward Dean McRae chimed in with a couple.
