By David Nagel
Cora Lynn is now thoroughly immersed in the all-important battle for a top-two position after the Cobras proved far too strong for Kooweerup at Denhams Road; winning 18.17(125) to 6.6(42).
The Cobras have only dropped one game this year; against Inverloch-Kongwak in round one, and have now replaced the Sea Eagles in second place on the ladder after back-to-back losses for the reigning champs.
Shaun Sparks and his Cobras won’t be looking too far ahead, but on current form they should win their next five (Kilcunda-Bass, Warragul Industrials, Dalyston, Garfield and Korumburra-Bena) ahead of a season-defining three weeks against Tooradin-Dalmore, Inverloch-Kongwak and Nar Nar Goon.
It’s only then will we find out if the Cobras are good enough to earn a saloon passage through this year’s finals series.
The Cobras just look a well-connected and healthy unit at the moment; confirmed by being unchanged at the selection table for the second time this season.
They had this one locked away by quarter time; leading by 23 points and growing that to 38 at the major interval.
The vagaries of football then hit home in the second half, kicking 2.10 in the third quarter before straightening up in the last with a 6.1 final stanza.
The Cobras were once again well served by Billy Thomas in the ruck, while Casey-import Jimmy Munro continues to shine through the midfield.
Chase Blackwood, Jett Edwards and Matt Briggs were also important for the Cobras, with defender Briggs providing a highlight by drifting forward and kicking a rare six-pointer.
And speaking of piercing the big sticks; full-forward Nathan Gardiner continued his love affair with Denhams Road by kicking seven for the afternoon and raising his bat for 50 goals for the season.
So, where to now for the Demons?
They showed some promising signs heading into this clash over the previous month of football, but the gulf in class; and loss of Matt Voss to suspension, proved obstacles too big to overcome.
The Demons have now lost seven on the trot, but upcoming games against Korumburra-Bena, Bunyip and Garfield should provide a reprieve.
Skipper Nathan Voss will take some confidence into this week’s trip to the Showgrounds, after slotting three goals, while Nathan Muratore (250 senior career games) and Bailey Galante (150 club senior games) celebrated significant milestones in fine style.
The Cobras make the tricky trip to Kilcunda-Bass this week.
Nar Nar Goon coach Justin Stanton kept the faith with his top-of-the-table team this week, making no changes after the narrow loss to Cora Lynn.
And his faith was justified, with the Goon destroying Kilcunda-Bass to the tune of 23.16(154) to 5.4(34) at Spencer Street.
This was expected to be a much closer affair, with the Panthers being more than competitive in the opening seven rounds of the season.
But this was a mis-match from the outset.
Only bad-kicking cost the Goon a much bigger lead than its 24 points at quarter time, with its 3.7 opening salvo being followed by 5.6 in the second term.
It was only when the Goon found its range in the third quarter, kicking 8.2, when it really got bang for its buck.
The Goon’s two best midfielders, Trent Armour and Aiden Pipicelli, were dominant for four quarters, while key talls Jake Blackwood, Nate Pipicelli and Flynn Parker had a field day.
Nar Nar Goon’s forwards were the beneficiary of Armour and Aiden Pipicelli’s output, with Dermott Yawney booting six, while Matt Gentile and Pipicelli – of the Nate variety – booted four goals apiece.
This was a really disappointing performance from the Panthers.
Yes, their second-leading goal-kicker and key target up forward, Dean McRae, was absent for the first time this year, but they still had some quality players on their list that needed to fully absorb the challenge.
Travis Tuck, Jo West and Nathan Foote were typically resilient, but not too many mates came along for the ride.
Things don’t get easier for the Panthers, hosting Cora Lynn this week, while the Goon heads to Tooradin for the WGFNC Match of the Day.
Warragul Industrials continue to put building blocks in place for a charge at this year’s finals series and the Dusties were at it again in their 26.11(167) to 4.8(32) victory over Bunyip.
Just a week after sharp-shooter Mason McGarrity returned for his first game for the season, the Dusties welcomed back key tall Corie Intveen for his first game since round one.
The Dusties still have some serious talent to return, but welcoming back two key figures such as McGarrity and Intveen will give the side a lift as it looks to overcome a sluggish start to the season.
After sitting with one win from five games the Dusties have now squared the ledger at four-four with recent wins over Garfield, Kooweerup and Bunyip.
A win over Dalyston at Western Park is likely this weekend, before the Dusties test their credentials against Cora Lynn at the Cobradome.
The Dusties were clinical in the first term, kicking 9.3 to 1.0, and backed that up with a 6.5 to 0.0 second quarter.
McGarrity ended the day with six goals for the visitors, while Kyle Beveridge and Luke Walker put their classy left-feet to good use with three goals apiece.
Jed Pinkerton, Travis Ogden and Ben Nichol were other Dusties to get a good sniff of the Sherrin on Saturday.
Bunyip matched its highest score for the season on the weekend, with Alex Dijkstra slotting two goals in another best-on-ground display for his footy club.
Curtis Jenkin was good after returning from a week off, while Ben Stewart and Reid Jenkin were driving forces behind a 3.8 second half.
Bunyip will need to conjure up all of its famous resilience this week on a tough trip to a ‘double-rebounding’ Inverloch.
Phillip Island is dining on a five-game winning streak after the Bulldogs unleashed a withering first-quarter burst on an unsuspecting Dalyston.
The Bulldogs kicked 9.4 to 1.0 in the opening term on their way to a 23.15(153) to 7.5(47) thumping of the Magpies.
The Doggies eased off the throttle after quarter time, with the Magpies making a game of it; particularly in the third quarter when the home side kicked 3.0 to the Bulldogs 4.3.
But the gulf in class was evident, with mobile types such as Jordy Patullo, Max Walton and Billy Taylor all contributing three goals each, while Charlie Bruce, Finn O’Brien, Zac Walker and Cooper Walton all chimed in with a couple.
Travis Woodfield also hit the scoreboard in his first game back since round two, while Brayden Kleverkamp celebrated a major in his first game of senior football.
Some familiar faces were up and about on the weekend, with Walton, Patullo and Taylor joined by Hayden Bruce, Marcus Wright and versatile tall Aaron Harris on an impressive best players list.
Hayden Wallis was a standout for Dalyston up forward, kicking four goals in his first game since round four, while coach Mitch Hallahan enjoyed the challenge of taking on the best in the business.
Phillip Island host Garfield this week, while the Magpies make the long trip to Warragul to take on the quickly-improving Dusties.
