By David Nagel
Gazette Sports Editor David Nagel runs his eye over the WGFNC grand-final qualifier between Cora Lynn and Phillip Island.
SECOND SEMI-FINAL
CORA LYNN (1) V PHILLIP ISLAND (2)
Saturday at Nar Nar Goon
MEETINGS IN 2024
Phillip Island 12.7(79) drew Cora Lynn 12.7(79)
KEY PLAYERS
CORA LYNN
Billy Thomas
Nathan Gardiner and Jimmy Munro are the most high-profile Cora Lynn players, but it’s big Billy that we believe is the key to Cobras’ success on Saturday.
Thomas has played 17 games this year and on nine occasions has been named in the Cobras’ best two players, with his inside ruck work having a huge impact at most stoppages around the ground.
Phillip Island coach Cam Pedersen has had some magnificent duels with Thomas over the years, and if Billy can dominate in close – and give players like Munro, Jaxon Briggs, Luke Ryan and Heath Briggs first use of the footy – then Pedersen might have to insert himself into the ruck. It’s not the place he really wants to be, having played just four games since doing his ACL in last year’s grand final, but he might have to bite the bullet if Thomas takes control. Billy overpowered reigning league best and fairest winner Dale Gawley at two important stoppages against Kilcunda-Bass in round 18 – kicking vital goals from both – and that adds another layer to his importance to the Cobras’ fortunes.
PHILLIP ISLAND
Hayden Bruce
The silky-skilled left-footer is simply unstoppable at his best and Cora Lynn coach Shaun Sparks would have woken up several times in a cold-sweat over the last two weeks with Bruce front of mind.
His combination of getting the footy at will; and then using it with rare precision is a joy to watch and can cut an opposition to pieces.
Bruce is also dangerous in front of goals, with only Billy (49) and Jack Taylor (37) having scored more than the 21 goals that Bruce and Travis Woodfield have to their name this year.
But Bruce is a mid; the other three are permanently stationed up forward!
He is also no stranger to performing on the big stage, having won the grand final best on ground medal in 2019 and led the league best and fairest award last year by three votes before fracturing his cheekbone in round 14.
All of the above adds up to one thing; class, and how the Cobras deal with his presence will be a key component of who progresses to the big dance by 5pm on Saturday.
OUR TIP
Thanks Cobras and Bulldogs; your early season draw – the only time you played each other this year – gives us absolutely no guide to who might win this week.
Let’s just recap for a second.
Back in round two, players, coaches and timekeepers had to wait for 15 minutes after the final siren at Cowes before the outcome was confirmed, with the umpires eventually waving the flags to confirm the first draw of the WGFNC season.
Phillip Island appeared to have scored a point with just minutes remaining on the clock, but a mix up between the field and goal umpires saw the ball returned to play without a score being registered.
Cora Lynn then had a shot for goal with just seconds remaining, with the resultant rushed behind tying the scores.
While both teams received two premiership points, Phillip Island coach Cam Pedersen was still unhappy about the outcome when he spoke to Star News five weeks later; ahead of a huge round seven clash against Inverloch-Kongwak.
“The Cora Lynn one was disappointing, because everyone knows we won that game, but no-one was prepared to buck the trend and do anything about it,” Pedersen said.
“That was a hard one to swallow; knowing that you’ve won a game but you only get two points for it.”
Since that round two outing both teams have been simply superb; losing one game each…both to Nar Nar Goon.
The Bulldogs won 14 straight after the draw, before losing in round 18, while the Cobras went on a 12-game stretch before the Goon lowered their colours in round 16.
Phillip Island’s midfield has been stupendously good this season, with Hayden Bruce, Max Walton, Jaymie Youle and Charlie Bruce providing a brilliant mix of talent and required grind, while Zac Walker and Yianni Caffieri are two of the most promising players in the league.
Walker can play in any position on the ground; from ruck to wing to centre-half-forward and more, while Caffieri’s composure, under immense pressure, sets him apart from the rest.
And if it’s immense pressure you want, then it’s immense pressure you’re going to get; because the Cobras bring it in spades.
There’s simply no point starting anywhere else than Jimmy Munro; the best tackler and hardest arse in WGFNC football.
How can such a well-spoken, respectful and lovely person off the field turn into the absolute beast he does at 2pm each Saturday?
It’s remarkable to watch Munro go about his business, with some of his defensive work in the midfield having to be seen to be believed.
He simply sticks tackles that no-one else can; and that perceived pressure, “where’s Jimmy”, will be a genuine thing for the Phillip Island mids on the weekend.
Of course, we can’t have a preview without mentioning back-to-back century goalkicker Nathan Gardiner; who looms as a genuine threat for the Doggies once again.
Gardiner is at the peak of his powers right now, with his aerial game and conversion rate simply without peer.
Cobras’ coach Shaun Sparks faces a tough night at the selection table on Thursday, with key weapons Heath Briggs, Matt Ryan and Chase Blackwood playing one game in the reserves after returning from an overseas holiday, while Cory Machaya will return after working through concussion protocols after a heavy knock in round 16.
Both teams will be fully rested and almost at the peak of their powers; ensuring a classic contest at Nar Nar Goon on Saturday.
We’ll go for Phillip Island to book the first ticket to the biggest show on turf with a thrilling two-point victory.
