By David Nagel
The two best teams in West Gippsland netball are set for a thrilling confrontation on Saturday when Inverloch-Kongwak rolls out the welcome mat for Tooradin-Dalmore.
Both teams have only tasted defeat once this year and sit two games clear of the chasing pack, with this week’s encounter set to provide the best hint yet as to the destination of this year’s premiership cup.
The Seagulls – Tooradin – were towelled up by Bunyip in a shock round-eight result, while the Sea Eagles – Inverloch – went down fighting by four goals the last time these two met in round seven.
But that’s it…no more blemishes for either side.
Tooradin will come in fresh, having back-to-back byes over the last fortnight, while the Sea Eagles tuned up for this week’s almighty battle with a comprehensive victory over Korumburra-Bena on Saturday.
The Sea Eagles were without their newest recruit and gun midcourter Kelsey Buxton, but were still way too strong for the Giants.
Ivy Hunter (C) joined Lanni Pryor (WA) and Rahni Mann (WD) in a midcourt combination that hardly missed a beat in Buxton’s absence, while the elite defensive pressure of Tayla Smith (GK) and Renee Pilkington (GD) ensured the Giants would not reach double figures in any quarter of the match.
The Sea Eagles’ 50-20 victory was built on the back of a 13-4 second term, and was polished off in impressive fashion with an 11-3 final quarter.
Kelly Boyd (GS) and Tayla Robb (GA) were accurate under the ring but will fully understand that the pressure is about to rise against Tooradin’s elite defence on the weekend.
The Giants were well served by Annelise Van Rooye (GK) in defence, while Gemma Dixon and Kasey Thorson shared their time alongside Van Rooye and the midcourt.
Phillip Island has virtually assured itself of a finals berth after a comfortable 45-30 victory over their nearest challenger Cora Lynn.
The sixth-placed Bulldogs are now three games and a healthy percentage clear of the Cobras, who will need a minor miracle to chase the Bulldogs down.
Phillip Island faces a tough test this week, hosting fifth-placed Nar Nar Goon, while the Cobras will secure an easy four points courtesy of the bye.
Bunyip has overcome a shaky start to roll Nar Nar Nar Goon 42-32 at Bunyip.
The Goon came out firing, with Hollie Keysers (GK), Hannah Carney (GD), Chantelle Dale (C) and Toni Dart (GS) leading the Goon to a 14-12 lead at quarter time.
But the Doggies bounced back in an instant, producing a dominant 17-7 second term to wrest back control of the contest.
Star-shooter Jasmine Mackie (GS) scored 13 goals in the second quarter alone, on the back of some great work-rate from the likes of Chloe Papley (WA), Sam Walker (GK) and Kyra Esler (GA).
The Goon showed in the first quarter it can match it with one of the best teams in the competition, but now needs to do for four quarters.
They can test that theory on a trip to Phillip Island this week, while Bunyip heads to Korumburra.
In other games this week, Garfield chalked up its second victory of the season with a well-deserved 68-38 triumph over Warragul Industrials.
The Stars last tasted success in round seven against Kooweerup, a team it will look to back-to-back against this weekend at Beswick Street.
The Dusties have now lost four in a row, and face a tough fortnight ahead against Dalyston and Nar Nar Goon.
And Dalyston continues to go quietly about its work, chalking up its fifth win from its last six starts with a 51-16 win over Kooweerup.
The Magpies are just a very steady unit that have only lost three games for the season, and will be a very tough finals opponent for any team in the top six.
The Magpies will continue their winning ways on a trip to Warragul this week, while the Demons head to Garfield still in search of their first victory.
WGFNC NETBALL
RESULTS – ROUND 13
A GRADE: Bunyip 42 v Nar Nar Goon 32, Dalyston 51 v Kooweerup 16, Garfield 68 v Warragul Industrials 38, Inverloch-Kongwak 50 v Korumburra-Bena 20, Phillip Island 45 v Cora Lynn 30, Tooradin-Dalmore 20 v Kilcunda-Bass 0.
WGFNC NETBALL LADDERS – ROUND 13
A GRADE W L D F A % PTS
Inverloch-Kongwak 12 1 0 668 316 211.39 48
Tooradin-Dalmore 12 1 0 578 397 145.59 48
Bunyip 10 3 0 713 417 170.98 40
Dalyston 10 3 0 490 343 142.86 40
Nar Nar Goon 9 4 0 549 472 116.31 36
Phillip Island 8 5 0 641 499 128.46 32
Cora Lynn 5 8 0 478 491 97.35 20
Korumburra Bena 5 8 0 435 506 85.97 20
Garfield 3 10 0 436 565 77.17 12
Warragul Industrials 3 10 0 451 731 61.70 12
Koo Wee Rup 1 12 0 288 730 39.45 4
Kilcunda Bass 0 13 0 0 260 0.00 0
