By David Nagel
Nar Nar Goon is sitting proudly undefeated after the opening two rounds of the WGFNC Veterans competition after a resounding 57-point victory over Devon Meadows on Sunday.
The Goon – which defeated Phillip Island by 10 goals in round one – was bolstered significantly on the weekend with the inclusion of star midfielder Ricky Clark; a gun for Narre Warren, Gembrook-Cockatoo and Cora Lynn in his prime.
The game started at a hectic pace with eight goals scored in the opening term.
Nar Nar Goon kicked five straight, to the Panthers 3.1, to take an 11-point advantage to the first break.
The Goon lifted its rating in the second quarter, kicking 4.1 to 0.1 in the most significant period of the match.
Down by 35 points at half-time, Devon Meadows matched the home side in the third, before five goals to two in the final stanza led the Goon to a 16.6(102) to 7.3(45) victory.
The Goon had multiple options up forward that proved too much for the Panthers to handle.
Tyson Buckingham, Nathan Lieshout, Shannon Stocco, Michael Whyte and Lucas Thomas joined Clark on the multiple goal-kickers list – with two each – while Rob Dobin, Damien McKenna, Seamus Scanlon and Sean Sierakowski all chipped in with a single.
Whyte, Stocco and Clark were superb for the blue and white hoops, while Kevin Quinn and Seamus Scanlon were also impressive performers.
Ben Mayers was the standout player for the Panthers, booting five goals, while former Nar Nar Goon player Andy Oldmeadow was an influential figure against his former club.
The Goon heads to Warragul Industrials for its next encounter on Sunday 12 May, while Devon Meadows will look to bounce back against Neerim South at Glover Reserve.
Tooradin-Dalmore has opened its 2024 veterans’ account with a 9.12(66) to 4.5(29) success over Warragul Industrials.
The Gulls did the damage early, kicking six goals to one in the first half, before the contest evened out after the break.
Mark Trounson, Kane Latham and the diminutive Damian Whitnell were best of the best for the Seagulls, who had Jason Siegel chime in with three goals.
Latham kicked two, while Grant Ansalde, Jordan Csincsi, Darren Lewington and Whitnell kicked one apiece.
Shane Ingham, Ben Ryan and Jake Green were best afield for the Dusties.
No scores are available for the game between Phillip Island and Neerim South.
Kilcunda-Bass had the bye.
