By David Nagel
Tooradin-Dalmore has made its biggest statement under new coach Jordan Kelly after the Seagulls survived a last-quarter arm-wrestle to down Inverloch-Kongwak by six points – 11.10(76) to 11.4(70) – at Inverloch on Saturday.
“Don’t forget about us,” was the clear message being sent as the Seagulls shocked the reigning champions with a spirited display in the opening 45 minutes of play.
The Seagulls led by 41 points, 20 minutes into the second term, before Inverloch kicked six of the next seven goals to trail by five points at three-quarter time.
The last quarter was a classic, but just getting to the first bounce of the final term was a roller-coaster ride of epic proportions.
Tooradin made four changes on the weekend with livewire forward Stewart Scanlon the most notable omission; with Dylan Sutton, Troy Dolan and first-gamers Anthony Mirauta and Brodie Matthews all forcing their way into the starting 22.
The Seagulls opened the game with fierce intent, with Dolan setting the scene with aggressive tackling and ferocious attack on the contest.
This was an old-fashion scrap; with tempers flaring several times throughout the afternoon.
Tooradin relentless attack on the footy paid handsome dividends early.
Nick Lang kick-started proceedings with a long-range attempt after three minutes before Piva Wright converted a free kick nine minutes later.
The Gulls’ 21-point quarter-time lead was assured when Brad Butler slotted a major after a down-the-field free kick.
Butler then set up Panos Papas for the first of the second quarter and the Seagulls were on their way again.
The classy Xavier Shinners then marked and goaled six minutes into the second, and when Wright drilled a right-foot snap; the scores were 43-2…20 minutes into the second.
Lewis Hill, Matt Buntine and Butler were having a huge influence through the middle, while the reigning champs were under pressure and had no fluidity at all.
But things started to change, heading towards half time.
Star-midfielder Paul Pattison slotted one from the right-forward pocket to kick his teams’ first, before Jarvis Harvey kicked another after being dumped by Cooper Shipp.
The Sea Eagles were still well adrift at half time; 29 points to be exact, but a huge melee that broke out before the break signified they were still well-and-truly up for the fight.
Another goal to Harvey, and brilliant piece of clinical finishing by Nick Baltas, cut the margin to 17 points, 11 minutes into the third.
Dolan then capped off a manic surge to answer quickly for the Seagulls, before Inverloch responded with the last three goals for the quarter.
Tate Short smacked a long one through from distance, before Dylan Clark hooked one around the corner after some great work from Ethan Park.
And when Taite Cumming took a strong contested mark, and kicked truly, the gap was a slender five points as we headed to the final term.
The last quarter was a cracker!
Tooradin had the first on the board after 12 seconds, with a Buntine clearance being jumped on by the elusive Shinners.
Pattison then snagged a long bomb, before Brad Lenders marked and goaled to make the margin 10 after nine minutes of play.
But when a clever sidestep from Will Turner saw the Sherrin sail through the big sticks, and Short struck again after some quick hands from Andy Soumilas, scores were locked at 64-all; 14 minutes into the last.
Both teams needed a hero; with Wright and Pattison happy to answer the call.
Big Piva out-bodied Xavier Hughes to give the Seagulls back the lead, before Cumming tapped to Pattison to level things again…24 minutes in.
Three of Tooradin’s best on the day then combined for the eventual match-winner.
Hill worked frantically for the centre clearance, which fell to Xavier Shinners at half forward, who wheeled onto his right and kicked long to the top of the goal-square.
Wright and Hughes were once again in mortal combat; with Wright using his supreme strength to mark 30 metres out.
He went back and calmly drilled his set shot before pumping his arms in celebration.
Wright ended the day with four goals for the Seagulls, and Xavier Shinners two, while the work of Buntine, Hill and Butler contributed heavily to securing the four premiership points.
Shipp, Luke McKenna and Trent Adams were resilient for the Gulls in defence, while first-gamer Matthews produced a solid performance in the ruck.
Inverloch was oh so brave in defeat, with the loss of Will Hams from last week, and the long-term injury to his brother Tom, denying the Sea Eagles some class and run-and-carry through the midfield and off half-back.
Pattison was superb, landing three telling blows for the home side, while Harvey and Short chimed in with a couple each.
The Sea Eagles will be there when the whips are cracking, but for now the Seagulls get to enjoy their best win under Jordan Kelly.
It was a statement from the 2022 premiers; “Don’t forget about us.”
