By David Nagel
When opportunity knocks you have to take it…and Nar Nar Goon has done exactly that by knocking Tooradin-Dalmore out of this year’s WGFNC A Grade premiership race with a 54-43 win at Inverloch on Saturday.
The Goon snuck into this year’s finals series on percentage; just seven goals clear of Kooweerup across the course of the home-and-away season.
An 80-45 victory over Phillip Island paved the way for their entry, but they came up against a Tooradin-Dalmore side that simply don’t lose early finals.
The Seagulls won the premiership in their inaugural year in the WGFNC in 2019, and were then preliminary finalists in 2022 and grand finalists in 2023.
This was a huge task for the Goon to overcome, but its started well; leading 9-8 at quarter time.
The game took a turn early in the second quarter when Seagulls Goal Keeper Jess Maher rolled her left ankle in an innocuous piece of play.
It ruled her out for the remainder of the match, with Summah Boyd called in to take on the important role in the last line of defence.
Nar Nar Goon had a mid-quarter burst during the second term, leading by five at one stage, with Olivia Hamilton, Meaghan Winter and skipper Chantelle Dale providing a stack of drive through the midcourt.
Goaler Kyra Esler had the radar dialed in, while Darcy Utber was providing great support in the circle.
The Goon led 23-19 at half time; but knew the resilient Seagulls would come hard.
And that’s exactly what they did.
Fed well by Stacey Sawyer and Sara Howie, Seagulls’ goalers Chloe Phillips and Alex Maher shot beautifully in the third term, leading to a 14-11 quarter which cut the margin to 34-33 at the final break.
The Gulls appeared to have the momentum; but were in for a nasty surprise.
The Goon dominated the last quarter, scoring 20-10, with Taylah Boatwood and Taylah Ellis locking down in defence and Esler and Utber making the most of their scoring opportunities under the ring.
Esler score 14 goals in the final term, and Utber six, as the Goon raced clear for a very impressive victory.
They will now take on Cora Lynn after the Cobras took care of Kilcunda-Bass in Sunday’s elimination final at Bass.
In what was a dour contest for three quarters, the Cobras exploded to life in the second term; scoring 15 to 8, in the defining period of the match.
Cora Lynn opened up a seven-goal lead at half-time, which was reduced to five at the final break, before the Cobras steadied in the last quarter to record a 40-32 triumph.
Alannah Keen led the charge for the Cobras through the midcourt, being ably assisted by Lexis Schade and Paige Brooks-MacMillan, while the defensive combination of Annabel Sheppard and Danielle Cameron was right at the top of its game.
Gemma Stacey and Brooke Abu-Jaber were strong for the Cobras in the circle; particularly in the second quarter when they both hit the scoreboard hard.
This one will sting for Kilcunda-Bass, who looked good enough throughout the season to at least win one final.
Kacey Maund, Jemma Osborne, Grace Rand, Caitlin Egan and Caitlin Stephens were all terrific for the Panthers for three quarters; but that second-quarter lapse would prove costly.
