By David Nagel
The most recent premiership clubs in West Gippsland football will lock horns on Saturday when a rebounding Inverloch-Kongwak hosts Tooradin-Dalmore.
‘Rebounding’ isn’t a term we’ve had to use for the Sea Eagles since round 15 last year, with a magnificent run off 11 wins and one draw including a grand final victory over Phillip Island.
But the Bulldogs were too good for the Sea Eagles last week, with the absence of key playmaker Ethan Park standing out like a sore thumb.
The reigning premiers will be without grand final best-on-ground medalist Will Hams, who will take time to recover from a massive hit in the third quarter last week.
The Sea Eagles still have loads of class, with Nick Baltas, Oscar Toussaint, Paul Pattison and Andy Soumilas sure to cause Jordy Kelly and his coaching staff some headaches.
Tooradin has rebounded well from early single-digit losses to Cora Lynn and Kilcunda-Bass; winning five on the trot now to regain a regular footing inside the top-six.
Big names like Piva Wright, Lewis Hill, Matt Buntine and Luke McKenna can all sense a big occasion, while unsung heroes like Connor O’Riordan have lifted their game in recent times.
The trip to Inverloch begins a big stretch of games for the Gulls, with Nar Nar Goon and Phillip Island to follow.
Kelly has been building a nice blend of youth and experience, with one eye on the now; and one on the future.
Brad Butler and Brad Lenders are entering the prime of their careers, while Charlie and Xavier Shinners are going to be very good footballers for a long time to come.
The Seagulls will challenge, and the Sea Eagles are undermanned; but they’ll still get the choccies by 17 points.
In other games this week, Phillip Island will be too strong for Dalyston, while Warragul Industrials will make it three straight victories with a big win over Bunyip.
Nar Nar Goon should bounce back to the winners list with a 21-point victory over a vastly-improved Kilcunda-Bass, while Kooweerup host Cora Lynn in an interesting game at Denhams Road.
The Cobras are flying at the moment, but the Demons have shown some great fight against good-quality opposition in recent times.
The Demons are better than a ‘one-win’ team, but don’t have the key defensive cattle to stop Nathan Gardiner from firing.
Kooweerup will once again put up a fight; but it’s the Cobras by 29 points.
And the game between Garfield and Korumburra-Bena looks likely to go down to the wire.
The Stars started brilliantly, winning their first two, but have now lost five on the trot.
We’re tipping the losing run to stretch to six; with the Giants to win a thriller by a solitary point.
