By David Nagel
Tooradin-Dalmore has once again shown its immense fighting qualities with the Seagulls downing second-placed Nar Nar Goon 44-41 in a ripping contest at Tooradin.
The Gulls looked in more strife than the early settlers three weeks ago; having won just three games – against the bottom three teams in the competition – after six rounds.
Back-to-back games against Dalyston (4th), Inverloch-Kongwak (1st) and Nar Nar Goon (2nd) were expected to sort them out quickly.
But the Gulls have emerged with a 2-1 record from those three tough encounters; now sitting fifth, but just one game away from a coveted top-two position.
The perennial finalists are not going away in a hurry!
Scores were locked at 9-all after the first term, but the Gulls gradually took the initiative in the middle stages of the match.
Zoe Coventry (C) and Stacey Sawyer (WA) were in great touch through the midcourt, allowing Chloe Phillips (GS) to set up a three-goal lead for the Seagulls at half time.
Ebony Dolan (GD) and Summah Boyd (GK) then cranked up the defensive pressure in the third quarter, allowing the Goon little space in an 11-8 victory for the Gulls.
Six goals ahead at the final break; the Gulls looked home and hosed.
But the Goon has built its reputation on rising to the challenge in close finishes, and came hard at the Gulls in the final term.
Steph Lee (GA) had a blinder under the ring, while Chantelle Dale (WD), Olivia Hamilton (C) and Meaghan Winter (WA) led the Goon’s resurgence.
The visitors won the final quarter by 15-12 in the highest-scoring period of the match.
But Dolan (GK), Jess Maher (GD) and Coventry (WD) stayed tough to the final buzzer, giving the Gulls a huge victory in the context of their season.
Tooradin heads to Phillip Island this week, while the Goon hosts near-neighbours Garfield.
Kilcunda-Bass remains in third position after the Panthers scored a 38-35 victory over Cora Lynn.
The Cobras started fast, leading by three goals at quarter time with Danielle Cameron (GK) and Annabel Sheppard (GD) keeping the dangerous Panthers’ attackers at bay.
The Panthers then turned things around in the second term with Kacey Maund (C) and Grace Rand (WA) lifting their rating through the midcourt, while Caity Egan (GK) and Caity Stephens (GD) kept the Cobras to just seven goals in the second stanza.
The Panthers led by one at half time, building that to two at the final break, before edging clear by a further goal in the final quarter.
Stephens and her gang head to Dalyston this week for a clash between third and fourth on the ladder, while the Cobras will look to arrest an alarming three-game losing streak when they host Warragul Industrials at the Cobradome.
Korumburra-Bena is knocking on the door of the top six after a magnificent second half propelled it to a 55-45 victory over Kooweerup.
Scores were locked at 29 each at half time, with the Giants leading by three goals at the final break before gallivanting away with a 14-7 final term.
Pallas Lamers (GK) and Gemma Dixon (GD) were spectacular in the second half, keeping the Demons to just 16 goals, while Felicity Fox (C) was a powerhouse performer through the midcourt.
In other games this week, Phillip Island broke a four-game losing streak with a 63-42 win over Garfield, while Dalyston made it back-to-back wins with a 59-27 triumph over Warragul Industrials.
And it was a case of no Kelsey Buxton; no problems for Inverloch-Kongwak, who stretched its unbeaten winning streak to nine with a 55-34 victory over a brave Bunyip.
Kate French (C) filled the vacancy left by Buxton with real aplomb, while Amy Scott (GA), Ella Sadler (GA) and Kelly Boyd (GS) scored heavily enough to get the job done.
Ally Grist (C), Keely Wright (GK) and Nat Dijkstra (WD) never gave up the fight for the Bulldogs.
