By David Nagel
The consequences are huge!
There’s no simpler way of putting things in preparation for one of the games of the season on Saturday when Inverloch-Kongwak hosts Nar Nar Goon in a massive clash of premiership contenders.
These two were considered the clear favourites heading into the season; the Sea Eagles aiming for back-to-back flags, while an emerging Nar Nar Goon looked perfectly poised to challenge for its first flag since 2010.
Not much has changed for both clubs, they’re still serious contenders – but the form of Cora Lynn, Phillip Island and Tooradin-Dalmore in recent times has thrown the 2024 race into a sturdy five-strong field.
There’s simply no room for error anymore.
Goon-coach Justin Stanton has made no secret of his desire to finish top two this season, giving his club the best chance of breaking that aforementioned 14-year drought.
Win this week and they surge two games clear of the reigning champs – and hold top position – but a hefty loss could see them drop to fourth.
All the pre-season training, all the recruitment, all the planning…they all come down to winning big games like this!
The midfield battle will be magnificent this week with Trent Armour, Aiden Pipicelli and silky-mover Harry Brain leading the Goon into battle against the likes of Paul Pattison, Ethan Park and Oscar Toussaint.
The match-ups everywhere are mouth-watering; but that contingent hold the true key to this match.
The loss of key-forward Dermott Yawney to a hamstring will undoubtedly hurt the Goon, but Nate Pipicelli, Troy McDermott, Matt Gentile and Tex Marsham are more than capable types and damaging on the scoreboard.
Nick Baltas has been the Sea Eagles shining light up forward, while Toby Mahoney loves the biggest stage could prove a handful for Jake Blackwood, James Cairns, Flynn Parker and the Goons’ back six.
This will be a cracking contest; we’ll go for Inverloch to scrape through on its home deck by a thrilling three points.
In other games this week, Tooradin-Dalmore and Phillip Island will have thumping wins over Korumburra-Bena and Bunyip respectively, while Cora Lynn will make it seven straight victories against Dalyston.
Kooweerup should sneak over the line on a tricky trip to Garfield, while Kilcunda-Bass and Warragul Industrials are basically fighting for a finals berth when they lock horns at Bass.
In a genuine flip-of-the-coin; we’ll go for the Dusties to take sixth place with a two-point victory.
