By David Nagel
Taste buds that were already salivating at the prospect of this year’s WGFNC finals series are now dripping with anticipation after Nar Nar Goon’s thrilling 11.16(82) to 11.12(78) victory over Phillip Island at Cowes.
The Bulldogs and Goon produced a mouth-watering entree to an upcoming smorgasbord of finals action, with two brilliant goals from Harry Brain and Jarrod Smith sealing the deal for the Goon in the dying minutes of the match.
This one had everything from the first bounce, with Phillip Island dominating the early exchanges but failing to put a score on the board.
Max Walton, Hayden Bruce and Nick Anderson all missed golden opportunities to give the home side a fast start; leaving it to returning playing-coach Cam Pedersen to put the first on the board after five minutes of play.
The teams went goal for goal from that point forward, with a late goal to Tom Baulch – after a 50-metre penalty from Jarrod Hamling – giving the Bulldogs a 12-point lead at the first change.
But the scoreline, 3.6 to 2.0, would come back to bite the Bulldogs in the dying minutes of the match.
Goon full-forward Dermott Yawney then put his stamp on proceedings, kicking his second and third goals during the second quarter to cut the margin to one point at the major interval.
Yawney’s ally Troy McDermott also found himself loose at the top of the goal square, but goals to Pedersen, and a long bomb from Charlie Bruce, gave the home side the narrowest of margins at half-time.
The contest really heated up in the third term, with a strong tackle from Pedersen on Goon skipper Trent Armour sparking a heated melee.
Bulldogs skipper Jack Taylor opened the scoring in the third, but when Yawney and Jarrod Smith landed set shots the Goon had opened up what would be there biggest lead for the afternoon; just seven points.
The Bulldogs then went on the biggest one-team run for the match, kicking the next three goals through Zach Walker, Billy Taylor and Jaymie Youle to open up a 10-point; 20 minutes into the third.
Yawney then kicked his fifth after swooping on a loose ball, but when Baulch converted a free-kick for a familiar head-high tackle, the Bulldogs were 11-points to the good with a quarter left to rub.
The last quarter was a classic.
The Goon – similar to Phillip Island in the opening stanza – wasted several opportunities to put their stamp on proceedings early.
Brain kicked the first of his two goals for the quarter, after a handball from Yawney, to cut the deficit to two points after six minutes of, before 15 minutes went by before another major score.
But a goal it would be!
With his team trailing by one point, Brain gathered the ball on 50 and slotted an amazing goal from the boundary to the Goon the lead by five.
Jack Taylor then showed his unquestioned leadership qualities for the Bulldogs, splitting the big sticks with a set shot from 30 to give the Bulldogs back the lead, with 23 minutes ticked by.
The next two touches from the Goon were simply magical.
Jed Smith won the resultant centre clearance, kicking to Jarrod Smith who cleanly gathered a very difficult ground ball.
Without a moments’ hesitation he swung onto his trusty left foot, landing a killer blow from 35 with the last score of the match.
Both teams fought gallantly over the next two minutes of play, but when the siren blew with the ball in the hands of the dangerous Baulch on centre wing…the Goon had secured the prize.
Yawney was superb for the Goon with five goals, while the aerial presence of James Cairns and Tex Marsham was a constant obstacle that the Bulldogs failed to hurdle.
Zach walker was again brilliant for the Bulldogs, being a constant threat in the air, while Charlie Bruce, Coby Olarenshaw and Daniel Pearce could do no more to squeeze their team across the line.
The loss cost the Bulldogs the title of minor premiers, but they still receive a week’s break before a second semi-final duel with Cora Lynn.
The Goon takes on Kilcunda-Bass in Saturday’s elimination final at Inverloch, which it will enter as a heavy favourite.
But let’s hope it’s a classic like the one produced on the weekend.
The story of Nathan Gardiner’s 100th goal has been told on another page, but his magnificent achievement was almost overshadowed as Cora Lynn found itself in a dour battle with a brave Kilcunda-Bass at the Cobradome.
The Cobras needed to win to grab a top-two position on the ladder, while an upset loss would have wasted a year of hard work and grind.
The Cobras trailed by 13 points at quarter time before bouncing back to level the scores at 42 each at the major interval.
The last goal of the first goal came from the boot of Gardiner, who chalked up consecutive 100-goal seasons with a set shot from 35 out.
But Gardiner’s milestone failed to improve the mood of coach Shaun Sparks, who unleashed a fierce tirade at his players in the changerooms.
“At half time we probably copped the biggest spray we’ve ever copped from Sparks, and it was well deserved because we were pretty lacklustre and just going through the motions,” Gardiner said.
“A bit of that was my fault; the boys were trying to feed me the footy and get the 100 over and done with, but we were pretty stagnant, not opening up the ground and just playing into their hands a bit.
“It was good that we were able to snap out of it because if we want to beat the Phillip Islands and Inverlochs, the better teams in the comp, we won’t get away with that sort of thing.
“We snapped out of it, started playing some Cobra footy and the result took care of itself.
“We know if we stick to our guns, we can beat anyone in the comp.”
An early last-quarter goal to Tristan Warkuss gave the Cobras some breathing space, but the job was still not done until Will Stephenson slotted a set shot with 27 minutes gone by.
Gardiner finished with three, and Billy Thomas, Jaxon Briggs and Jimmy Munro two each for the Cobras, who had Ryan Spierings and Luke Ryan play important roles in the victory.
The Panthers will take great heart from this outing as they prepare for their elimination final against the Goon this Saturday.
Anthony Daraio was typically dangerous with three goals, while Dean McRae and Travis Tuck kicked two important goals each.
Lochlan Scott did a terrific job on Gardiner, while Sam Watson, Brad Aldwell and Jo West helped push the minor premiers to the limit.
The Cobras eventually prevailed; 11.13(79) to 9.8(62).
In other games this week, Nick Baltas and Tate Short kicked six goals each in Inverloch-Kongwak’s 20.17(137) to 3.5(23) win over Bunyip, while Kooweerup finished it season with three straight wins after a commanding 21.15(141) to 10.4(64) victory over Korumburra-Bena.
Zak Banks, Luke McMaster and Seth O’Hehir kicked three each for the Demons, while Tom Crocker matched that total for the Giants.
Warragul Industrials has ended a frustrating season with a 9.18(72) to 6.9(45) win over Garfield, with veterans Shane Brewster and Luke Walker leading the home side to success.
And Tooradin-Dalmore will head into Sunday’s elimination final against Inverloch-Kongwak with its spirits flying high after a 24.17(161) to 9.3(57) victory over Dalyston.
Excitement-machine Brad Butler kicked five goals for the Gulls, while three each to Xavier Shinners, Cooper Shipp and Piva Wright put the issue beyond doubt.
Hayden Wallis finished off a consistent season with three goals for the Magpies, while playing-coach Mitch Hallahan was an influential figure around the ground.
