WEST GIPPSLAND FOOTBALL NETBALL COMPETITION
REVIEW – ROUND 8
By Russell Bennett
Saturday’s game between Tooradin-Dalmore and Bunyip may not be remembered as one of the best games of the West Gippsland competition in 2019, but it’ll definitely be regarded as one of the most enthralling.
From the outset on a wet, slippery surface in Tooradin it was clear that this would be a game hard-fought to the bitter end.
It was a contest that called for unflinching toughness and a tireless work-rate from players from both sides, right across the ground.
There was no doubting the Yips were the underdogs heading into the clash – particularly against a Seagulls outfit that has looked every bit the top three unit over recent weeks.
But on a day when both sides were undermanned in key areas, the visitors knew this was a clash for the taking – one that had the potential to set up the rest of their season.
And for them, that’s what would make an eventual 13-point loss to the Gulls so hard to swallow.
It was a genuine neck-and-neck battle with momentum swings going both ways.
The Gulls needed less of the possession, and consistently looked dangerous in transition from end to end, and also when switching the play across the ground.
The key forward combination of Julian Suarez and Andrew Dean caused genuine headaches for an under-fire Bunyip defence, particularly given the loss of the super-versatile Aaron Paxton in the opening stages for the Bulldogs.
But the visitors weren’t to be denied. They rolled the sleeves up at the coalface around the stoppages, and got to work in the hard, physical conditions.
They had an obviously unconventional forward line – with just about every target well under six-foot – but that meant they were able to trap the Sherrin in their forward half for extended periods and apply serious pressure throughout the clash.
At the other end of the ground, Bunyip also had a vastly different look with Ben Stewart massively impressive in his efforts against Dean, despite having to to play well out of position.
While Suarez looked likely whenever he went near the ball in the forward half, the Gulls – including Dean – sprayed some early shots on goal that would have set their momentum in stone.
The Gulls entered quarter-time with just an 11-point lead, despite having eight scoring shots to two.
The second term was when the intensity of the arm wrestle was switched up a notch.
A trio of champion former Beaconsfield stars in Chris Kelf, Damien Szwaja, and Daniel Mislicki consistently willed themselves into the contest, with Kelf giving his midfield brigade plenty of first use while effectively rucking one-out.
Ben Ross, Michael Whyte, and the Allen boys – Brandon and Nathan – also had a genuine impact as their side drew to within just two points at half-time, 4.6 (30) to 4.4 (28). Ross was particularly unlucky late – hitting the post twice from set shots.
Smelling blood in the water, the Yips knew the prize on offer – an all-important four premiership points – was right there for the taking but right throughout the game, just when the visitors had the momentum, the Gulls found ways of breaking it.
Whether it was Andrew Proctor and Luke McKenna behind the footy; or the likes of the trio of Kris Sabbatucci, Waide Symes, and Rory Hillis (in his first senior game for the season) who looked incredibly composed despite the tricky conditions under-foot, the Gulls just found a way right when they needed to.
In the first half – particularly in the first quarter – Bunyip co-coach Aussie Jones knew the Gulls had the numbers through the middle when his side turned the ball over, but the longer the game went on, the more adept his men became at turning their unsuccessful attacking forays into strong defensive positioning.
The likes of Jesse Walsh (playing his first senior game for Bunyip this year), Szwaja, and Jason Williams all slotted timely goals that halted, or even revised a slide when Tooradin threatened to break free.
But with the likes of Dean, Jason Kestle, Suarez, and Sabbatucci, the Gulls could do likewise.
Throughout the third, they found the required answers right when the Yips questioned them the most – allowing them to keep their noses in front.
The Gulls entered the fourth with an eight-point lead, 7.9 (51) to 6.7 (43), and emerged the stronger from the final-term battle.
Though both sides slotted just the one major for the last – Suarez for Tooradin-Dalmore, and Szwaja for Bunyip – the Gulls had more of the scoring opportunities, and were slightly cleaner with their disposal at the crucial stages. They deserved their eventual 13-point victory, 8.15 (63) to 7.8 (50).
Suarez’s performance, in particular, was eye catching in that nearly every time he went near the Sherrin in the forward half, something positive eventuated for his side. It’s that kind of trait that his him among the leading tall forwards of the competition to this stage of the season.
Take nothing away from the Yips – they were impressively brave and battled right to the end. But, almost brutally for them, that just doesn’t net the four points.
The gusto with which the Gulls sang their song after the clash showed everything about the nature of their win. From start to finish, they were made to earn it – and were sorely pushed. Two players, in particular, were prominent in the circle – senior debutant Mathew Oday, and Scott Shea (playing his first senior game for the club).
After the game, Seagulls coach Lachie Gillespie spoke with the Gazette about his side’s latest hard-fought win.
“The challenge was definitely there for us, and really it was a game that quite easily could have gone the other way,” he said.
“For us to regroup – we had four changes this week, because we had a lot out – just shows that depth is there, and the boys are all keen to work for each other.
“It wasn’t a perfect game, but it was a win that we worked really hard for.
“Their (Bunyip’s) skills are fantastic so they did that chip and roll play.
“They played really well, and I think in the back half of the year they could create some real headaches.
“I knew today was going to be a genuine danger game, so I’m absolutely rapt to get the four points.”
Elsewhere across the competition on Saturday, the Demons emerged with a thrilling three-point victory from their battle with the Sea Eagles at Inverloch, 13.10 (88) to 12.13 (85). The visitors won the game in the last minute – having not led at all prior to that. It was a clash that had everything, and one that definitely had everyone raving about its quality.
The Stars gave the Cobras an almighty scare at Garfield, but the undefeated Cora Lynn kept its record intact with a 14-point win, 10.12 (72) to 9.4 (58), courtesy of a strong second half.
Dalyston was predictably no match for Phillip Island, going down by 121 points at home; while the Giants defeated the Panthers by 21 points at Bass, 15.7 (97) to 11.10 (76), in their Outside The Locker Room (OTLR) mental health awareness game.
For a complete rundown on that day, along with comments from Ben Collins following Kooweerup’s brilliant win, and all the action from today’s game at Western Park between the Warragul Industrials and Nar Nar Goon, be sure to pick up a copy of this week’s Pakenham-Berwick Gazette Football liftout – out first thing Wednesday morning.
Click below to watch the Seagulls belt out their song with Oday and Shea in the middle of the circle…
