West Gippsland FNC Round 15 review

MATCH REVIEW

MATCH REVIEW

MATCH REVIEW

Reiging premier Inverloch-Kongwak had little trouble brushing aside Bunyip, 17-13 (115) to 8-6 (54).

The Sea Eagles kicked five goals to one in the first quarter to establish an early lead and aside from a mini fight back from the Bulldogs in the third term, were always in control of the match.

For IK, Luis Rankin and Dylan Clark played well in their defensive 50 with plenty of help in the middle from Danny Reid and Will Hetherington. Toby Mahoney also starred up forward with 7 goals.

Brad Walker, Dylan Gallasch, Eamon Tomlin, Will Papley and Anthony Young all battled hard for Bunyip.

MATCH REVIEW

Koo Wee Rup was in a menacing mood on Saturday against the Stars at Denhams Road, ultimately outclassing the finals aspirants to the tune of 70 points – 15.18 (108) to 5.8 (38).

The Demons, currently a game clear of Phillip Island and Nar Nar Goon in second on the ladder (behind only the reigning premier, Inverloch Kongwak), had too many weapons for the Stars to handle – despite not being at full-strength.

Skipper Tim Miller was instrumental for Ben Collins’ group, while Jason Wells (five goals), Dom Paynter, Dave Collins and Nathan Muratore also had a telling impact.

For the Stars, the consistent Tanner Stanton again stood tall alongside the likes of Michael Wallace, Jayden Goumas, Tyler McDonald (two goals) and Leigh Diston.

MATCH REVIEW

The Island met the challenge head-on, and emerged victorious from arguably the most entertaining clash of the season to date for a neutral observer – a 41-goal shootout.

Beau Vernon’s men set the tone, but the Goon seemingly had the answers. Right throughout the clash, this was a truly neck-and-neck battle – one that the home side couldn’t break open until the closing minutes.

But in the rooms immediately after his side’s 21-point win, 22.10 (142) to 19.7 (121), Vernon summed up the situation perfectly.

His players sat in front of him, physically spent but seemingly emotionally nourished – contented by the fact they’d been able to prove just how far they’d advanced since way back in Round 1.

“At the start of that last quarter, when they got that goal, you’d think back to Koowee in Round 1 and it just shows the difference between then and now,” he said of a brilliant running goal from Brendan Hermann just 15 seconds into the final term.

“But every player had a moment in the last quarter.”

That was the biggest difference to Round 1.

The Dogs’ snarl didn’t fade to a whimper – it evolved into a guttural roar.

Brendan Kimber, Zak Vernon and Jaymie Youle don’t only lead the group by example, they lead it in spirit and it was simply no coincidence that they shone brightest on Saturday in a clash that was littered with standout moments from both sides from start to finish.

Vernon (six goals) and Kimber (three) booted nine telling majors between them as they alternated from the midfield to forward 50, while highly-touted young gun Hayden Bruce (four goals) had a stellar impact in his first senior game for the club after returning from a broken leg.

While both sides’ ruck stocks were depleted on Saturday, the likes of Jarrod Andreatta (Phillip Island), and Trent Armour and Jake Blackwood (Nar Nar Goon) really stood up when called upon.

Goon key forward Matt Stevens (five goals) seemed unstoppable at stages across the forward 50, while defender Shannon Stocco shone when switched to a role up forward – booting four majors of his own.

But it was the battle between the arcs that was the most entertaining throughout the clash – Kimber, Vernon, and Youle for the Island against the likes of Armour, Hermann and Hughes for the Goon.

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