By David Nagel
Nar Nar Goon is still yet to taste defeat at the hands of Korumburra-Bena in the WGFNC after the Goon defeated the gallant Giants by 54 points at Spencer Street on Saturday.
The Goon has a winning record against six of its 11 opponents in the WGFNC, but the Giants are the only club it has a perfect record against.
The Goon’s grinding 12.18(90) to 5.5(36) victory took its overall record against the Giants to 12-0.
This was certainly not the massacre that most thought it would be, with the improved defensive structures of the Giants proving difficult for the home side to penetrate.
The Goon had eight scoring shots in the opening term and just six in the second stanza, before the two teams engaged in an ugly arm-wrestle in the third quarter.
The home side kicked just 1.3 to 0.1 in the third, before unleashing close to its full fury in the last.
With Trent Armour, Jarrod Smith and Aidan Pipicelli being well fed by Eamon Trigg in the ruck, the Goon clicked into something like its full potential with a 5.7 to 2.0 final term.
Strong bodies proved hardest to stop for the Giants, with Dermott Yawney reclaiming the lead in the league goal-kicking with four goals, while Max McGreal and skipper Trent Armour also slotted dual majors.
Cooper Pursell also kicked a couple in his first game in the seniors this year after kicking three, five and three in the opening three rounds in the reserves.
Justin Stanton will have some decisions to make ahead of a Mother’s Day visit to Warragul this Sunday, with Nate Pipicelli making his return with four goals in the reserves on Saturday.
Pipicelli had a breakout 2023 season in the ruck.
It will be interesting to see how Stanton intertwines the skills of Trigg and Pipicelli as the season begins to unfold.
Giants coach Josh Hopkins will be thrilled with his team’s performance on the weekend, keeping the highest scoring team in the WGFNC to its lowest score for the year.
Hopkins was instrumental in the surprise performance, while Kye Benson, Tyson Findlay and Joel Cuman can all hold their heads high in defeat.
Zac Barrett led the scoring with two for the Giants, while Tom Crocker and Hugh Gordon joined regular Paul Fermanis on the Giants’ goal-kicking list.
The Giants face another huge test this week, welcoming a refreshed Phillip Island to the Showgrounds.
A flat second quarter could not deny 2022 champions Tooradin-Dalmore from recording a 58-point victory over Garfield at Beswick Street.
The Seagulls kept the Stars goalless in the opening stanza, taking a 17-point lead to quarter time, before wasting some gilt-edged opportunities to increase their margin in the second.
The Gulls were wildly inaccurate booting 0.7 for the term, while keeping the Stars to 0.2 at the same time.
Just nine points were scored for the quarter; providing the goal-umpires with a perfect opportunity to give one shoulder a rest!
The Seagulls gradually built the tempo in the third term, kicking three goals to one, before a 4.6 to 1.1 final quarter spread the margin somewhat.
Brad Butler kicked three to be the leading scorer in the 10.16(76) to 2.8(18) victory, while Stewie Scanlon and Charlie Shinners chimed in with a couple each.
Gun-recruit Matt Buntine was influential for the Gulls through the midfield, while big-man Ray Lengyel continued his impressive start to the season.
Debutant Jack Grist looked made for the level in game one, while excitement-machine Butler provided a few highlights on an otherwise dreary old day at the office.
Classy lefty Will Cole and key forward Lachie Spinks kicked the only two majors for the Stars, who had the undersized Zac Soutar once again play a great game in the ruck.
Livewire Callum Tyler kept the pressure up for four quarters, while Jack Barnes, Jahmain Harrison and Lachie Schreurs were others to earn their pay cheque.
The Seagulls host a danger game against a hot-and-cold Kooweerup this week, while the Stars will need to be at their resilient best when they make the short trip to Cora Lynn.
And Dalyston currently sits in the top six after the Magpies powered their way to an 18.12(120) to 2.5(17) victory over Bunyip.
The Magpies were on the receiving end of some close losses to start the year, but back-to-back wins over Korumburra-Bena and the Bulldogs have them back on an even keel.
Dino Karamoshos was once again lively up forward for the Pies, while Curtis Murfett, Jack Legione, Kyle Kirk, Koby Brann and Bailey Anderson were all impressive performers.
Bunyip hasn’t had much to celebrate in recent times, but had reason to smile after kicking its only two goals in the second quarter.
It was the first time the Bulldogs had pierced the big sticks since the third quarter in round one against Garfield.
Despite getting belted in recent times, several players continue to stand up with Alex Dijkstra, Reid Jenkin, Matthew O’Halloran, Curtis Jenkin and Ben Wright amongst them.
The Bulldogs face a tough trip to Kilcunda-Bass this week, while the Magpies host reigning-premiers Inverloch-Kongwak.
