By David Nagel
Are they simply invincible?
Tooradin-Dalmore’s rollicking run through the West Gippsland Football Netball Competition (WGFNC) faces what should be its biggest test when the undefeated Seagulls take on reigning premier Phillip Island at the Cowes Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
The top two teams in the competition have far more important engagements on their mind – we’re talking finals of course – but another easy victory for the Seagulls and we might be talking one of the great seasons on record.
Against all-comers, the Seagulls lowest winning-margin has been 32 points…they simply haven’t been close to being defeated.
They look organised and well-drilled and are taking as much pleasure in defending as they are in keeping the scoreboard ticking over.
No team has scored more than 53 points against them this year…Korumburra-Bena in round two!
The Seagulls passed their most recent test against a premiership contender with flying colours, although both the Gulls and Inverloch held each other to their lowest scores for the season just a fortnight ago in round 14.
But rather than dwell on their scoring being reduced, Seagulls’ coach Lachie Gillepsie can only see the bright side of keeping Inverloch to five goals.
“Scoring is a nice feeling, it’s a real positive and it feels great to kick goals, but you have to generate that same feeling and excitement from stopping the opposition from scoring,” Gillespie explained.
“It’s a mental aspect of the game that is really important when you’re not scoring as freely as you might against some sides.
“It’s a sign that you’re game will stack up, no matter what circumstances come your way.
“I still think they (Inverloch) are a very good side, and what we learnt was that we have to grind games out against good sides, because you don’t get it all your own way against good teams.
“It’s a challenge, and that’s the way football should be.”
Speaking of challenges…how does the Bulldogs on their own deck sound?
“Playing at Phillip Island is going to be hard because just like Inverloch they’re very well coached, got great team structure, they’re a great club, and got really great people that love to play for each other…it’s going to be as big a challenge that we’ve come across this year,” Gillespie said.
It may be a challenge…but the Seagulls will remain undefeated with a 17-point victory.
Kooweerup has won three on the bounce but wants a significant scalp…and there’s no better opportunity than bringing down Warragul Industrials at Denhams Road on Saturday.
The Dusties are what Kooweerup wants to be!
“We were right in the game last time against Warragul, and they’ve done what we want to do and that’s take a couple of scalps along the way,” said Demons’ coach Rhys Nisbet.
“They’ve improve, and we take our hats off to them for that, but we’re up for the challenge this week.”
The Demons forward line cashed in last week, with Jason Wells 6, Luke McMaster 5 and Nathan Voss 4 in fine form…making the most of some improved opportunities.
“Improvement…it’s a mixture of everyone, it really is, the blokes you mentioned are getting on the end of the footy because of improvement from others,” Nisbet said.
“We’ve played some first-gamers of late, but we’re bringing them in with confidence knowing they can play a role.
“Across the board we feel more even and that’s where improvement comes from.”
This one will be tight…but it’s the Dusties by eight points.
In other games, Inverloch will be too good for Garfield; Bunyip will bank four points against Kilcunda-Bass, while Cora Lynn will continue its winning ways against Dalyston.
And Dermott Yawney could be in for a bag when Nar Nar Goon hosts Korumburra-Bena.
