By David Nagel
We take a close look at the six teams that won’t be playing finals football in West Gippsland this year.
7. DALYSTON
2022: (10th) 2 wins, 16 losses
2023: (6th) 8 wins, 10 losses
The Magpies will be thrilled with their season, winning six more games than last year…the biggest rate of improvement by any team in the WGFNC. That achievement is all the more impressive considering gun midfielders Mitch Hallahan and Michael Marotta missed substantial parts of the season through injury. Their best win was an 11-point victory over Cora Lynn, while an 88-point loss to Kooweerup in round one was clearly their worst performance. The Pies turned things around quickly however, winning their next four to be sitting second on the ladder after round five.
Room for Improvement (RFI): Average losing margin was 79 points in nine losses to top-six teams.
Best and Fairest Tip: Curtis Murfett.
8. KILCUNDA-BASS
2022: (9th) 7 wins, 11 losses
2023: (7th) 7 wins, 11 losses
The Panthers are the only team of the bottom six to have the same record this year, winning seven games, but rose from ninth to seventh place on the ladder courtesy of the fall from grace of Bunyip and Kooweerup. The Panthers were more expansive this year, scoring 1216 points compared to just 970 in 2022, but were also scored against slightly more heavily. They need depth, with too much falling on the shoulders of Dale Gawley, Nathan Foote and Ben Eddy. Anthony Daraio was terrific for Panthers up forward.
RFI: Improved depth.
Best and Fairest Tip: Dale Gawley.
9. KOOWEERUP
2022: 7 wins, 11 losses
2023: 5 wins, 13 losses
The Demons have been a tough watch this season, apart from a thumping win over Dalyston in round one and a three-game winning streak (Korumburra-Bena, Garfield, Bunyip) between rounds nine and 11. Apart from that they saluted in just one of 14 games including a seven-game losing stretch between rounds two to eight. On paper they have some big names, but have a long tail with a lot of inexperience trying to fill key roles. Matt Voss and Mitch Cammarano once again carried the midfield, while the departure of Nathan Voss on an overseas trip after round 10 took away their most explosive and talented player.
RFI: More experience up the spine.
Best and Fairest Tip: Matthew Voss.
10. GARFIELD
2022: 1 win, 17 losses
2023: 4 wins, 14 losses
The Stars are still very young and developing, and would be content – but not overly satisfied – with their four wins this season. It’s a big improvement from their one win from last year, but all four came against the stragglers in Korumburra-Bena and Bunyip. The Stars now need to lift their sights once again, and pick off the likes of Dalyston, Kilcunda-Bass and Kooweerup to become the team knocking on the final’s door loudest. Paul Carbis took over at a horror time for the Stars and has done a wonderful job, and has some players to build a team around in Gus Emery, Joel Batson and Cooper Reilly.
RFI: Need one or two reliable goal-kickers.
Best and Fairest Tip: Zac Soutar.
11. KORUMBURRA-BENA
2022: 1 win, 17 losses
2023: 3 wins, 15 losses
If Paul Carbis is the messiah at Garfield, then a bronze statue of Paul Fermanis should be erected at the Korumburra Showgrounds during the off-season. Three wins, up from one last year…considering the build-up to the season…was an impressive return from the Giants this year. The club explored its options in the Ellinbank league, but is now committed to making a success of life in the WGFNC. Back-to-back wins over Bunyip and Kilcunda-Bass was the season highlight, while the development of young midfielder Jay Walker had to be seen to be believed. Walker should win the best and fairest by the length of the Flemington straight, with the likes of Joel Cuman and Tyson Findlay in pursuit.
RFI: More strength, in and under, through the midfield.
Best and Fairest Tip: Jay Walker.
12. BUNYIP
2022: 8 wins, 10 losses
2023: 0 wins, 18 losses
It became apparent, late last year and into the early stages of 2023, that this would be a season of survival for the Bulldogs. A mass-exodus of players and coaching staff saw them totally ill-equipped for the challenges to come. Lachlan Petch took the reins as coach and while the Doggies may have been broken on the scoreboard, they’ve built a spirit behind the scenes that will hold them in good stead moving forward. Lost two games by two goals, to Korumburra-Bena and Kilcunda-Bass, to give them hope. Alex Dijkstra and Ben Stewart have been great this year, while Chase Saunders was been dangerous from limited opportunities.
RFI: Where do you start…everything.
Best and Fairest Tip: Alex Dijkstra.
