West Gippsland FNC Round 12 review

Fresh off a stirring win at home over the Cobras. the Yips played host to Nar Nar Goon. But they weren’t able to carry on their momentum, with their attack stymied by a super impressive Nar Nar Goon defence. With players on their list, it’s perhaps little wonder that the Goon is a defensive juggernaut – but what is interesting is that Dean Blake’s men have conceded just 523 total points so far this season through their first 12 games. Not only is that the best of any side in the competition, it’s at an average of just 43.6 points per game. Combine that with a top four offence, and it shows just why the Goon has a share of the ladder lead so far with the reigning premiers from Inverloch-Kongwak.

On Saturday Bunyip had just six scoring shots to the Goon’s 28 as the wayward visitors won 9.19 (73) to 2.4 (16) in former Pakenham young gun Troy Toussaint‘s debut senior appearance for the boys from Spencer Street. Star midfielder Brendan Hermann was again outstanding for the Goon, continuing his rich vein of form with three goals in a starring role, while the likes of Trent Armour and Jake Blackwood also continued their stellar form from throughout the season to date.

Impressive Bunyip young gun Matt O’Halloran once again stood tall for his side.

Pakenham Gazette

There's clearly no love lost between the Cobras and the Demons. There's a healthy level of respect between the two clubs, sure, but in an on-field sense they've never gotten along.

On the one hand, that's exactly the way it should be, but in recent years a real hatred emanating out of Koo Wee Rup has only served to have an adverse effect on field. Often, from the outside, the Demons seemed to have lost the mental game before they even stepped foot on the field.

And the indelible ink of the history books backs that up. Prior to Saturday, the last time Koo Wee Rup defeated its closest rival at senior level at Cora Lynn was in Round 15, 2005 - yes, 13 years ago. That day the Demons thumped the Cobras by 108 points, and current club president Dan Crowley was named in Koo Wee Rup's best. Since then, Cora Lynn has more than had the edge on home soil.

But Saturday was different. While there was still the usual feeling throughout the clash, there seemed to be a real resolve from the Demons - a resolve that they've tried to carry with them all season; one that shows there's a bigger ultimate prize at stake than just bragging rights over the old enemy in a home and away game.

While the two sides could hardly be split on the scoreboard throughout the first term on Saturday, the Demons added four un-answered majors in the second to take a 22-point advantage into half-time. Cora Lynn's pressure was on display early as the Demons seemingly had trouble exiting out of their defensive 50. But the Demons got their run and handball going, in addition to the pressure game that they've prided themselves on all season. Nathan Voss bobbed up for both of Kooweerup's first term goals, while two of the side's newest recruits in Nathan Lieshout and Dom Paynter also made their impact felt.

Paynter was at his explosive, illusive best while Lieshout - playing in just his second senior game at the Demons after a distinguished premiership-winning stint at Bunyip - showed just how much of a versatile weapon he really is, whether in the ruck, around the ground, or across the forward 50. His penetrating kicking, strong marking, and on-fleld direction will all clearly be massive assets for the Demons moving forward. Champion on-baller Luke Walker, who like Lieshout and Paynter had spent plenty of time at Pakenham in the past, used his trademark footskills to great effect but also hit the packs right when he needed to. The hard-headed Mitch Leek also impressed for the Demons, particularly with the discipline he showed, as did another young gun in Luke McMaster with his one-percenters. Jason Wells booted another four majors to take his season tally towards 50 through the first dozen games.

With a quarter left to play the Demons up four goals at three-quarter time, much of the heat seemed to have seeped out of the contest. But nonetheless, credit must be given to the Cobras for the way in which they fought out the battle a reminder to the Demons of what can happen if they switch off mentally, even if just a fraction. The impressive Brayden Weller and Rylan Smith stood strong for the home side, while Billy Thomas' ruck efforts didn't go unnoticed. Jai Rout, Luke Hartley, and Tristan Fernandez-Phillips all showcased their ability to impact the scoreboard with seven goals between them for a side still missing a number of first-string players. But this was Koo Wee Rup's day securing - a 14-point win over a young, rebuilding Cobras outfit. Importantly, Ben Collins was able to give some of his most important players a significant rest in the final term while the likes of Cobras Jackson Dalton and Lachlyn Peluso finished the contest with leg-complaints.

Pakenham Gazette

DESPITE the terrible conditions on Saturday Inverloch-Kongwak were still able to dismantle the undermanned Dalyston team by 134-points in a top display of wet weather footy.
Seven changes were made to the Dalyston side from last week, which opened the door for youngsters Josh Thomas and Connor O’Halloran to make their senior debuts while assistant coach Mark Lafferty even pulled on the boots.
Safe to say the Magpies were starting behind the eight ball and it didn’t take long for Toby Mahoney to get the ball rolling for the Sea Eagles with the first major in the opening few minutes.
Mahoney and wingman Oscar Toussaint were on fire in the first term sharing all four of the first quarter goals for IK.
The lead was 27 points at quarter time and it didn’t get any better from there as the goals continued to flow.
Tom Wyatt joined the party in the second quarter booting two goals from set shots along with Will Hetherington and Corey Casey who both nailed majors.
Even Sea Eagles captain Dale Lawton scored a rare snag right on the brink of half time, sending his team into the break with a 62-point lead.
Wyatt kicked things off again with his third goal to start the third, with on baller Andrew Soumilas following soon after.
Dalyston were then able to hold off the rapid attacks for most of the quarter and began to control some of the play.
This led to a good pass from Laffetry that found Jackson Brooker with space at the top of the 50-metre arc and the Magpies had their first goal on the board.
But the Sea Eagles were quick to regather as Shem Hawking slotted a nice goal right on the siren.
IK didn’t take the foot off the gas in the final term, booting another nine unanswered goals to really ram the point home.
Wyatt took his tally to six for the day, with forward partner Mahoney nailing his fourth.
The Sea Eagles ran out massive victors, in a top display from the reigning premier.
They’ll now take on Korumburra Bena at Inverloch, while Dalyston will have to make the journey to Koo Wee Rup in another tough challenge for the injury depleted squad.

Garfield maintained its position in the West Gippsland Football Competition top five with a thumping win over Kilcunda-Bass.

The Panthers, who have struggled following the exodus of some key players in the off-season, were competitive early to enter the first change just seven points in arrears. But the visitors couldn’t sustain the effort with their next score, a solitary behind, coming in the final term as the Stars took full control of the contest. Sam Batson and Daniel Helmore feasted with bags of seven and five goals respectively as the Stars kicked away to win, 22-15 (147) to 2-2 (14).

Six goals in the second term established a handy buffer, while a further four goals in the third term ensured the match was in the Stars’ keeping. With the Stars in a battle to lock down fifth position on the ladder, the home side took the opportunity to add some percentage and slammed through nine goals in the final term.

Alongside goal kickers Batson and Helmore, Jonathon Sauze, Lachlan Sauze, Tim Hatherall and Alex McMillan were other influential players for the Stars. The Stars now enjoy a two game and almost 16 percentage point advantage over sixth-placed Cora Lynn.