By David Nagel
Kilcunda-Bass is continuing to push for its first finals appearance in the WGFNC after the Panthers scored a hard-fought 40-33 victory over Korumburra-Bena on Saturday.
The Panthers – who last fielded an A Grade team in 2019 – are now on a five-game winning streak and have won eight of their last 10 games.
They face a huge fortnight on the court, with games against Kooweerup and Garfield set to decide their destiny, before a very tough finish to the season against Nar Nar Goon and Tooradin-Dalmore.
The Giants, on the other hand, are now no chance of playing finals; facing the top four teams over the last month of the season.
Inverloch-Kongwak is now just four wins away from the perfect home-and-away journey after the Sea Eagles dictated terms against Nar Nar Goon.
The Sea Eagles were clinical throughout, winning all quarters by a minimum of four goals.
The 63-44 victory was set up in the opening stanza, with Kelsey Buxton (C), Lanni Pryor (WA) and Millie Sadler (WD) all in supreme touch through the midcourt.
Coach Jarrad Walker was super-impressed with his team’s performance.
“We had to work, and work hard for 60 minutes,” Walker said.
“The team problem-solved out on the court, and it was one of those games where I just walk away super proud of the intensity, resilience and commitment to our game plan and overall trust in each other.”
The Goon missed the drive of star wing attack Meaghan Winter, but Hannah Carney (GD), Steph Lee (GA) and Kyra Esler (GS) could all hold their heads high in defeat.
Tooradin-Dalmore continues to churn out the wins, this time with a 56-34 away triumph over a hard-working Cora Lynn.
The Seagulls have sat in the shadows of Inverloch this season, but have now won 13 of 14 games to stamp their class on the competition.
One slight slip up from the Sea Eagles…and the Seagulls will be ready to pounce.
The Cobras made the Gulls earn their goals on the weekend, with Bianca Douglas (GK), Karla Brook (GD) and Moesha Griffin (WD) defending well, but class across the court would soon prevail.
Alex Maher (GA) scored 36 goals in three quarters, while Abbey Howes, Ebony Mason, Sara Howie, Stacey Sawyer and Zoe Coventry all had runs through the midcourt.
Garfield remains in finals contention after a comprehensive 55-17 victory over Bunyeep.
The Stars’ team defence was impenetrable, with Ash Hyde (GK), Ash Bowden (GD) Chloe Bluhm (C) and Ash Snell (WD) keeping the Bulldogs to just five, three, seven and two goals for the afternoon.
Macey Newcombe (WA) was also impressive for the Stars, who would need to win at least three of their last four to be any chance of playing finals.
A draw consisting of Cora Lynn, Kilcunda-Bass, Tooradin-Dalmore and Warragul Industrials does provide them with hope.
Bunyip – or Bunyeep this weekend – has now lost 11 games straight, but Nat Dijkstra, Lisa Proctor and Brydie Cunningham all continue to bring effort on a weekly basis.
Dalyston has survived a second-quarter scare to walk away with a 48-39 win over Phillip Island at Cowes.
The Magpies led 18-9 at quarter time, but a 13-5 second stanza saw the Bulldogs close to just a solitary goal at half time.
Sophie Scott (WD), Alana McRae (GD) and Ruby Brosnan (C) regained marginal control in the third, before outscoring the Doggies by five goals in the last.
Lily Mewett (GS), Ella Duggan (GA) and Christie Edwards (WA) had big second quarters for the Bulldogs, while Dalyston first-gamer Hayley Verboon (GS) gave a good account of herself during the first half in the circle.
And Kooweerup has bounced back to the winners’ list with a 65-19 win over Warragul Industrials.
Demons’ goaler Ash Murphy (GA/GS) bookended the game in style; scoring 15 goals in the first term and going one better in the final period of play.
The Demons ran riot in the opening term, scoring 22-2, before the Dusties proved more competitive after quarter time.
The big game this week sees third-placed Dalyston host fourth-placed Nar Nar Goon.
