Tooradin-Dalmore continues to be the benchmark of reserves football in West Gippsland after the Seagulls claimed their third WGFNC title against Nar Nar Goon on Saturday.
Since moving to the WGFNC in 2019 the Seagulls have played in all five grand finals; either side of the 2020 and ’21 seasons interrupted by Covid.
In 2019 the club won its first ever reserves premiership after Jake Genoni kicked a goal after the siren to break Kooweerup hearts by four points.
Craig Perrott was coach of that drought-breaking success, while Nick Pouki was captain.
The Gulls went back-to-back in 2022, with Pouki now coach and Jack Denereaz the on-field leader.
Pouki and Denereaz have tasted defeat over the last two years, to Inverloch-Kongwak and Nar Nar Goon, but now return to the top step of the premiership dais.
The Seagulls 10.9(69) to 2.3(15) success was built by a dominant display through the middle stages of the match.
Tooradin’s first goal, after three minutes of play, gave an indication of things to come.
Key forward Lauchlan Gregson crashed a pack and hit bodies hard, with a crumbing Andrew Proctor doing likewise…smashing through a tackle to kick the game’s opener.
Proctor not only hurt the Goon on the scoreboard, but sent defender Bailey Christie from the field after his bone-crunching attack at the football.
The Goon took a deep breath…composed itself …with reserves stalwart Nick Bransgrove settling some nerves with a quick reply just a minute later.
But that was basically the end of the challenge for the Goon, who would concede eight consecutive goals until Bransgrove would strike again; four minutes into the last.
Between Bransgrove’s pair of six-pointers, it was party time for the Seagulls.
Gregson gave the Gulls an eight-point lead at quarter time after capitalising on some terrific link-up play at stoppage from ruck Ray Lengyel and midfielders Nick Lang and Justin Smaluch.
Talented forward Anthony Mirauta then began the second quarter with a bang, snapping a miracle goal over his right shoulder with his left boot.
The Gulls never looked like conceding with Luke McKenna, Adam Galea and Denereaz leading a strong defensive unit that was being well supported by a midfield applying high pressure.
Jake O’Donnell proved far too clever in the goalsquare, scrambling one through from close range, and when Mirauta took a great contested mark and kicked the last of the second quarter the Gulls were 27 up at half time.
Mirauta then struck again, five minutes into the third, his strong hands and clinical finishing making it 33 points the difference.
But the destination of this year’s premiership cup, well it truly ended at the 10-minute mark of the third quarter.
Liam Hill received a handball on the boundary line, deep on the half-forward flank; then ran his full measure before kicking a checkside goal on the run.
It was 42 points now, and a fantastic crumbing goal to Lang then made it an eight-goal ballgame at three-quarter time.
Ben Sellings then kicked the first of the final term, before Bransgrove answered, and then Lang signed off with the last goal with just a minute left in the match.
The Gulls were basically dominant from start to finish, with Mirauta snagging three for the afternoon and Lang rock-solid with two.
Players with senior experience really stood up for the premiers, with O’Donnell, McKenna, Galea, Lang and Lengyel among the better players on the ground.
Lengyel was solid in the ruck, earning the umpire’s vote as best player on the ground.
Bransgrove was the only scoreboard contributor for the Goon, ending the day with his two, while Max McGreal, Tom Nicholls and Zac Smith were all serviceable soldiers on the day.
Pouki said it was a special win to be a part of, with stalwarts of the club in Galea, McKenna and O’Donnell entering their retirement phase with a bang.
Pouki’s four-year stint also came to a close, handing over the reins to assistant Daniel Stafford for the 2026 season.
“I get pretty emotional when I think about the journey we’ve been on in West Gippsland,” Pouki said.
“It was (former senior coach) Lachie Gillespie who was the one who set the scene from the outset.
“He said if we can go into West Gippsland with some belief and system in what we do, it will begin this culture where people want to be here.
“We were battling in the twos, pulling guys out of the pub, but now we treat the twos exactly like we treat the seniors.
“Train two nights, have reviews, have meetings, we film all our games, it’s a more relaxed environment but a very special thing to be a part of.
“People can only dream of playing in grand finals…but we’ve played in five.”
Pouki said it was special for Galea, McKenna and O’Donnell to sign off with premiership medals around their neck.
“You don’t usually get fairytale endings like this; but to be coaching some of the club’s absolute greats to a premiership, albeit reserves, is something very special for me.”
RESERVES
TOORADIN-DALMORE 2.2 5.3 8.7 10.9(69)
NAR NAR GOON 1.0 1.0 1.1 2.3(15)
Tooradin-Dalmore Goals: Anthony Mirauta 3, Nicholas Lang 2, Lauchlan Gregson, Liam Hill, Jake O’Donnell, Andrew Proctor, Ben Sellings. Best: Jake O’Donnell, Luke McKenna, Adam Galea, Nicholas Lang, Ray Lengyel (Medal), Anthony Mirauta. Coach: Nick Pouki. Captain: Jack Denereaz.
Nar Nar Goon Goals: Nicholas Bransgrove 2. Best: Max McGreal, Thomas Nicholls, Zac Smith, Jai Hamilton, Jack Gribbin, Lachlan Graham.
