By David Nagel
In glorious days gone by; locals would be licking their lips at the prospect of the upcoming round 12 of the West Gippsland Football Netball Competition.
At different stages over the journey, games between Garfield and Cora Lynn; and Nar Nar Goon and Bunyip, would have local supporters finding it hard to concentrate on their weekly workload.
Unfortunately, due to the current imbalance of the four clubs, we need to frustratingly look elsewhere for this week’s match of the day.
The Cobras and Goon will win easily; consolidating their top-three positions on the ladder, and then enjoy a week’s rest before an intense six-week battle for the double-chance begins.
The most interest this week centres on the contest between Warragul Industrials and Tooradin-Dalmore, with the Dusties having one last chance of keeping their fading finals hopes alive.
Realistically, those hopes probably vanished with a 34-point loss to Kilcunda-Bass last week; leaving the Dusties two games adrift in seventh-spot.
They now need at least two upset wins over Tooradin-Dalmore, Inverloch-Kongwak, Phillip Island or Cora Lynn to be any chance of playing finals.
Let’s be honest, on current form; they’ve got no chance of toppling those four!
But their best chance may be against the Gulls; just two games ahead in fifth spot.
Dusties’ coach Michael Duncan got the best out of Kuiy Jiath and Malual Aleer last week, while Lachie Bambridge and Mason McGarrity provide ever-present threats up forward.
The Dusties also have Kyle Beveridge and Nic Visser who have hit the scoreboard at various times this year, while Matt Herbert – if left unattended – could seriously hurt the Seagulls with his run.
Jordan Kelly and his Tooradin-Dalmore outfit deserve a huge pat on the back to this point of the season.
Ex-AFL recruit Matt Buntine has fitted in like five fingers in a glove, while emerging leaders such as Brad Butler and Lewis Hill have absorbed extra-responsibility this year.
Butler has turned his trade from enigmatic half-forward to reliable midfield force, while Hill has also transformed from a running winger to inside midfield magnet.
Those three, Buntine, Butler and Hill have been the driving forces this season.
It’s a season that’s about to get better; with the Gulls ending any hopes of a depleted Dusties’ revival with a 27-point win.
In other games this week, Inverloch-Kongwak will make a successful return to the scene of its 2023 premiership on a visit to Kooweerup, while Korumburra-Bena roll out the welcome mat for Dalyston.
The Giants will be up for this one, but the Magpies will scrape home in a thriller.
And despite it being a battle between top-six teams, Phillip Island will be far too strong for Kilcunda-Bass at Cowes.
It’s the Bulldogs by 50-plus.
