By David Nagel
Barring an absolute miracle, the top-six is locked and loaded for this year’s finals series with starting positions the only question to be answered over the final two rounds of the season.
Inverloch-Kongwak will finish the season minor premiers, and be favourite for this year’s title, but Bunyip, Dalyston and Tooradin-Dalmore are in a bitter battle to see who joins the Sea Eagles in a coveted top-two position.
The most likely scenario is that Bunyip and Dalyston will fight for the double-chance at Dalyston in round 18…but Tooradin could be finishing fast, with a last-round percentage booster against a winless Kooweerup.
The machinations are fascinating, and it might take until the last moments of the season to glean the final outcome.
The only game on the weekend, played between teams in the top six, saw Phillip Island welcome Tooradin-Dalmore to the Cowes Recreation Reserve.
The Seagulls were coming off rare back-to-back losses, but made an early statement on their way to a 67-45 victory.
The Gulls flew out of the blocks, leading 17-10 at the first change, with Alex Duff (GS) and Alex Maher (GA) sharing the goal-scoring beautifully.
Duff was producing party tricks, bouncing a ball off the goal post at one stage to get herself closer to the ring.
The Gulls looked back to their impressive best, with Stacey Sawyer (C), Chloe Crouch (WA) and Ebony Mason (WD) linking well through the midcourt, while Jess Maher (GD) and Ebony Dolan (GK) had control of things in defence.
The Seagulls are not about to hand over the title lying down…and the next month or so is going to be fascinating to watch.
Despite its loss, Phillip Island will still play finals this year with a two-game and percentage gap over Cora Lynn and Korumburra-Bena.
Anthea Bennett (GK) and Lexi Walton (GD) battled hard in defence for the Bulldogs, while Charli Ross (WA) and Ella Duggan (GA) fed Lily Mewett (GS) with some nice passing.
Both teams face tough assignments this week, with Tooradin hosting Nar Nar Goon and the Bulldogs on the road to Bunyip.
WGFNC RESULTS – ROUND 16
A GRADE: Bunyip 20 v Kilcunda-Bass 0, Dalyston 49 v Cora Lynn 34, Inverloch-Kongwak 73 v Garfield 22, Kooweerup 34 v Warragul Industrials 57, Nar Nar Goon 51 v Korumburra-Bena 38, Phillip Island 45 v Tooradin-Dalmore 67.
WGFNC NETBALL LADDERS – ROUND 16
A GRADE W L D F A % PTS
Inverloch-Kongwak 15 1 0 809 369 219.24 60
Bunyip 13 3 0 838 472 177.54 52
Dalyston 13 3 0 644 458 140.61 52
Tooradin-Dalmore 13 3 0 710 547 129.80 52
Nar Nar Goon 12 4 0 737 575 128.17 48
Phillip Island 8 8 0 762 664 114.76 32
Cora Lynn 6 10 0 568 585 97.09 24
Korumburra Bena 6 10 0 557 623 89.41 24
Garfield 5 11 0 558 706 79.04 20
Warragul Industrials 4 12 0 578 909 63.59 16
Koo Wee Rup 1 15 0 372 905 41.10 4
Kilcunda Bass 0 16 0 0 320 0.00 0
