By David Nagel
Gazette Sports Editor Dave Nagel runs his eye over the run home for the 12 teams in the West Gippsland Football Netball Competition.
BUNYIP
Currently: Last: 0-12
Players Used: 38
Standout Performers: Alex Dijkstra, Reid Jenkin, Curtis Jenkin, Matthew O’Halloran, Mitchell Sproles.
Leading Goalkicker: Liam Marson, Tahj Murphy (4).
Run Home Prediction: 1-5 Finish: Last
We Say:
Everyone except diehard Garfield supporters will be cheering for Bunyip in round 13 against Garfield, when Isaac Smith and Shane Mumford bring some glitz and glamour to an otherwise horror year. A round-16 home clash against Korumburra-Bena provided a further opportunity for a drought-breaking victory.
CORA LYNN
Currently: 1st: 10-1-1
Players Used: 31
Standout Performers: James Munro, Billy Thomas, Heath Briggs, Nathan Gardiner, Luke Black.
Leading Goalkicker: Nathan Gardiner (76)
Run Home Prediction: 5-1 Finish: 1st
We Say:
The Cobras face a tough test in rounds 14 to 16, taking on Tooradin-Dalmore, Inverloch-Kongwak and Nar Nar Goon, in a patch of the season that will truly define their fate. We’re backing the Cobras in to win two of those three games and finish the season as minor premiers. Once you’ve achieved that, anything is possible.
DALYSTON
Currently: 9th: 3-9
Players Used: 32
Standout Performers: Mitch Hallahan, Curtis Murfett, Kyle Kirk, Benjamin Lewis, Fraser West.
Leading Goalkicker: Hayden Wallis (23)
Run Home Prediction: 2-4 Finish: 9th
We Say:
The Magpies have two winnable home games in their run home, against Bunyip and Kooweerup, with the game against the demons likely to determine whether we give the Pies a pass-mark this season. They pushed the demons at Denhams Road in round one, so will fancy their chances on their home deck, with the Demons also struggling to find form.
GARFIELD
Currently: 10th: 3-9
Players Used: 36
Standout Performers: Zac Soutar, William Cole, Callum Tyler, Angus Emery, Jack Tenace-Greenall.
Leading Goalkicker: Lachlan Spinks (11)
Run Home Prediction: 1-5 Finish: 10th
We Say:
The Stars began the season with a bang, winning their first two, but have since struggled with just one win from their last 10 games. The Stars will be eying off two more wins to finish their season; although the challenge against Bunyip has got a hell of a lot more difficult with the signing of Isaac Smith and Shane Mumford for the Bulldogs.
INVERLOCH-KONGWAK
Currently: 4th: 10-2
Players Used: 38
Standout Performers: Paul Pattison, Luke Johnson, Marcus Toussaint, Ethan Park, Oscar Toussaint.
Leading Goalkicker: Nick Baltas (26)
Run Home Prediction: 5-1 Finish: 3rd
We Say:
The reigning champs have done very little wrong this season, but have no wriggle room and will probably need to win their last six to earn a double chance. Four wins are basically locked in, with games against Cora Lynn (Away) and Phillip Island to decide their grid position for finals. The Sea Eagles are still right in this up to their ears, with the inclusion of Will Hams to be a huge boost ahead of finals.
KILCUNDA-BASS
Currently: 6th: 7-5
Players Used: 32
Standout Performers: Travis Tuck, Nathan Foote, Steven Scott, Dale Gawley, Anthony Daraio.
Leading Goalkicker: Anthony Daraio (35)
Run Home Prediction: 3-3 Finish: 6th
We Say:
It will take a collapse of monumental proportions for the Panthers to not play finals football this year. They will roll Bunyip and Korumburra-Bena, which should be enough to qualify, and should have the class to beat Kooweerup at home in round 15. Further games against Tooradin-Dalmore, Inverloch-Kongwak and Cora Lynn provide a nice balance and a great test ahead of finals.
KOOWEERUP
Currently: 8th: 4-8
Players Used: 35
Standout Performers: Matthew Voss, Nathan Voss, Zak Banks, Travis Bindley, Nathan Muratore.
Leading Goalkicker: Nathan Voss (21)
Run Home Prediction: 1-5 Finish: 8th
We Say:
The Demons have a tough upcoming fortnight, against Phillip Island and Nar Nar Goon, but it’s what they do from there that could either provide great impetus for 2025; or will they simply fall off the cliff? Their last four games against Kilcunda-Bass, Warragul Industrials, Dalyston and Korumburra-Bena are certainly winnable. They need to treat those games as a finals series and judge their season on that.
KORUMBURRA-BENA
Currently: 11th: 1-11
Players Used: 32
Standout Performers: Kye Benson, Josh Hopkins, Tyler Newton, Kodie Walker, Hugh Gordon.
Leading Goalkicker: Nicholas Besley (12)
Run Home Prediction: 1-5 Finish: 11th
We Say:
Following a next up encounter against Cora Lynn, the Giants have a pretty good run home, with Warragul Industrials, Garfield, Bunyip, Kilcunda-Bass and Kooweerup all games they should be competitive in. A strong finish would provide great reward for the efforts of Kye Benson and playing-coach Josh Hopkins this year.
NAR NAR GOON
Currently: 3rd: 10-2
Players Used: 34
Standout Performers: Trent Armour, Harrison Brain, Aidan Pipicelli, Jake Smith, Jarrod Smith.
Leading Goalkicker: Dermott Yawney (35)
Run Home Prediction: 5-1 Finish: 2nd
We Say:
It’s destiny; as the old saying goes, is in its own hands for Nar Nar Goon. The Goon faces three games against Tooradin-Dalmore, Cora Lynn and Phillip Island that will decide whether 12 months of preparation and hard work has led to a coveted top-two finish. We’re backing Justin Stanton and his boys in; they’ll win two of those three tough games and qualify in second position.
PHILLIP ISLAND
Currently: 2nd: 10-1-1
Players Used: 36
Standout Performers: Hayden Bruce, Charlie Bruce, Max Walton, Jack Taylor, Billy Taylor.
Leading Goalkicker: Billy Taylor (36)
Run Home Prediction: 4-2 Finish: 4th
We Say:
It’s all going to come down to the last fortnight for Cam Pedersen and his team, who will have a record of 14 wins, one loss and one draw as they head into crucial games against Inverloch-Kongwak and Nar Nar Goon. The return of Pedersen, and the unveiling of former defender Alex Duyker as a forward in recent times, will give the Bulldogs some serious firepower inside forward 50. However, we’re tipping them to drop the last two and slip to fourth.
TOORADIN-DALMORE
Currently: 5th: 8-4
Players Used: 35
Standout Performers: Matthew Buntine, Lewis Hill, Brad Butler, Cooper Shipp, Brad Lenders.
Leading Goalkicker: Piva Wright (24)
Run Home Prediction: 4-2 Finish: 5th
We Say:
The Seagulls have been super-competitive against all teams in the top six this year, but not getting across the line in four of those close finishes has cost them a chance at top-two. The Gulls have got a challenging three weeks ahead; but their final three games against Garfield, Bunyip and Dalyston will allow Jordy Kelly to man-manage his list and have them cherry-ripe for a finals tilt.
WARRAGUL INDUSTRIALS
Currently: 7th: 5-7
Players Used: 41
Standout Performers: Kyle Beveridge, Lachlan Bambridge, Nic Visser, Regan Awty, Travis Ogden.
Leading Goalkicker: Lachlan Bambridge (32)
Run Home Prediction: 3-3 Finish: 6th
We Say:
The Dusties have done well to sit where they are this season, considering they lost their coach in the pre-season build up and have had a whopping 41 players play senior football this season. There have been several reasons for the high-turnover, but having such a lack of continuity can’t be easy to deal with. There will no finals Dusties; but we might see you back next year!
