By David Nagel
Reigning-champion Inverloch-Kongwak has scored its biggest win since the opening day of its premiership defence with the Sea Eagles repelling the brave challenge of Nar Nar Goon at Inverloch on Saturday.
The Sea Eagles won comfortably in the end – 11.7(73) to 7.14(56) – as Nar Nar Goon once again shot itself in the foot with some shocking inaccuracy in front of goal.
When Troy McDermott kicked a major at the 11-minute mark of the third quarter, the Goon had closed to within a kick, trailing 7.7.49 to 6.7.43.
By the time their next goal came around, courtesy of a right-foot snap from Nate Pipicelli at the 17-minute mark of the final quarter; the Goon had kicked seven consecutive points to totally stifle its chances of a comeback win.
Inverloch started the better, fired up by a massive occasion for the club with dual-premiership player Tom Wyatt playing his 200th game.
It took just one minute for the Sea Eagles to begin the celebrations.
The usually reliable Brent Hughes was tackled by Jarvis Harvey, and caught dropping the ball, allowing the talented young full-forward to kick the game’s opener.
Jarrod Smith was then gifted a goal for the Goon, receiving a 50-metre penalty, tying the scores after three minutes of play.
The champs then put their stamp on proceedings with Tate Short making his mark up forward.
Short, the general down back for the Sea Eagles in their premiership campaign last year; continues to be a handful as he transitions to dangerous marking forward.
He kicked his first from 40 metres out after a free kick, before Oscar Toussaint kicked truly after some clever hands from star midfielder Andy Soumilas.
Short then marked on the goal-line, and snapped truly from a tight angle, to give the home side a 20-point advantage at quarter time.
Troy McDermott kick-started the second term in fine style for the Goon, finding plenty of space inside forward-50, before Harvey and milestone-man Wyatt delivered consecutive answers.
It took clever snaps from Jake Smith and Flynn Parker to narrow the gap to 11 points at the major interval.
Drizzling rain greeted the players after the break and the Goon made the most of the conditions, with McDermott finding his range with his trusty left foot to narrow the gap to five points.
Callan O’Flynn answered for the Eagles, but when McDermott kicked his third, after trapping Archie Terlich holding the ball, the Goon were back to six points and appeared to have the momentum.
But the shocking kicking set in, while the Sea Eagles pounced in the style of a true champion.
Nick Baltas set up Toby Mahoney for his first of the afternoon to set up an 11-point break at the final change.
Nar Nar Goon then peppered the goals without success at the start of the final term, before Will Turner found himself in space in one of the Sea Eagles only forays forward.
Turner kicked truly to put a stake in the heart of the Goon’s chances.
Lachie Scott then drilled a beauty on the run, after some great hands from Baltas again, to open up a match-winning 17-point lead.
Pipicelli answered with his aforementioned right-foot snap, before Mahoney slotted one on the run to secure a fabulous victory; the Sea Eagles best since their opening-day win against Cora Lynn.
Back-to-back losses to Phillip Island and Tooradin-Dalmore, in rounds seven and eight, put question marks over the Sea Eagles; but this win will generate magnificent self-belief as the pointy end of the season comes around.
Harvey, Mahoney and Short all ended with two goals for the winners, while Luke Johnson, Lewis Rankin and Xavier Hughes provided some rock-solid stability down back.
The Goon once again had more tickets in the raffle than their opponents, creating 21 shots to 18, but failed to have their names called out for the second time this season.
McDermott was at his clever best with three goals, the Goon’s only multiple goalkicker, while Jake Smith, Jarrod Smith and Trent Armour were influential figures through the midfield.
Inverloch heads to Kooweerup this week ahead of the league-wide bye, while the Goon will rebound strongly in a home game against Bunyip.
Phillip Island coach Cam Pedersen will be smiling like a Cheshire cat this week after kicking two goals in his comeback game against Bunyip.
Pedersen was playing his first game since rupturing his ACL in the 2023 grand final and played his role well in a 30.11(191) to 1.1(7) thumping of the home side.
The battle of the Bulldogs was over by quarter time, with Phillip Island scoring 45 to nil to set the tone for the match.
They kicked nine goals in each of the second and third terms, before taking the foot off the gas in the final quarter.
Billy Taylor kicked six, Jordy Patullo four, and Alex Duyker, Jesse Patullo and Travis Woodfield three each for the Island, who had Hayden Bruce and Max Walton do as they please around the ground.
Veteran half-forward Jason Williams gave Bunyip supporters their only joy for the day.
Kilcunda-Bass has almost guaranteed itself a place in this year’s final series with a 16.9(105) to 11.5(71) victory over Warragul Industrials at Bass.
The Panthers are now two games clear in sixth place, and with three games in the run home almost guaranteed wins; it’s almost impossible to see them being knocked out.
Anthony Daraio continued his splendid year for the Panthers, slotting a magnificent seven goals, while Lochie Scott, Travis Tuck and Steve Scott were up to their ears in the action.
Lachie Bambridge kicked four for the Dusties, who have just not been able to gather any sort of momentum this season.
The Dusties host Tooradin-Dalmore this week, while the Panthers make the trip to Phillip Island for one of the toughest games on the fixture.
In other games this week, Nathan Gardiner kicked a regulation nine goals, and Lachie Coverdale three, as Cora Lynn romped away with 17.12(114) to 3.8(24) victory over Dalyston.
Jimmy Munro was once again dynamite for the Cobras, while Luke Ryan and Max McDermott were serviceable contributors all day.
Jaxon Foon, Kyle Kirk and Hayden Wallis kicked the only goals for the Magpies.
Kooweerup is celebrating its third win on the trot after the Demons spoiled Garfield’s party with a dour 9.7(61) to 7.8(50) success at Beswick Street.
In front of Garfield’s past players and premiership heroes from years gone by, the Demons kicked four goals to none in the second term in the defining period of the match.
Bailey Galante and Nathan Muratore were unlikely leading goal-scorers for the Dees, with two each, while skipper Nathan Voss was in imperious touch around the ground.
Will Pickering kicked two for the Stars, who had Jack Tenace-Greenall and Jack Barnes showing the old-timers how it’s done.
And last but not least, Tooradin-Dalmore finally had an easy time of things as the Seagulls piled on 24.18(162) to 5.7(37) to give Korumburra-Bena a nice-old flogging at Tooradin.
Piva Wright was too big and strong, kicking six for the Gulls, while five to Xavier Shinners and four to Brad Butler provided too many questions for the Giants.
Star midfielders Lewis Hill and Matt Buntine were terrific four-quarter performers, while Kye Benson, Kodie Walker and playing-coach Josh Hopkins never gave up for the Giants.
