Gazette Sports Editor David Nagel takes a look at what is sure to be a classic grand final contest between Phillip Island and Nar Nar Goon at Garfield Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
Head-to-Head Since 2017
Phillip Island 8
Nar Nar Goon 5
Draw 1
In 2024
R1 NNG 15.9(99) def Phillip Island 7.8(50)
R18 NNG 11.16(82) def Phillip Island 11.12(78)
Last Senior Premiership
Phillip Island 2019
Nar Nar Goon 2010
Key Match-Ups
Hayden Bruce (PI) v Trent Armour (NNG)
The two most dynamic midfielders in the WGFNC with Bruce winning this year’s league best and fairest by one vote from Armour. Look for Bruce to burst away from stoppage with his classy left-foot being lethal around the ground; and being dangerous from 25 to 50-metres out from goal.
Armour doesn’t hit the scoreboard as frequently, and will be less noticeable to the untrained eye as he weaves his magic around the stoppages. If the Goon bursts away from scrimmage…there’s a very good chance that Armour was the architect. Armour, along with Cora Lynn’s Jimmy Munro, is the most brutal mid in the business.
Jesse Patullo (PI) v Dermott Yawney (NNG)
Bulldogs coach Cam Pedersen surprised many when he lined Patullo up on Cora Lynn champion Nathan Gardiner in the second semi-final. The result; Patullo held Gardiner goalless for the first time this year. Yawney is a different proposition to Gardiner; he moves quicker, he gets up the ground further, and can hit up his teammates with his exceptional game sense. Alongside Armour, this is the Nar Nar Goon player that Pedersen knows can take this year’s premiership away from him. Aaron Harris, Alex Duyker and Mark Griffin are back-up options; but expect Patullo to get first crack.
Jack Taylor (PI) v James Cairns (NNG)
At some stage in this year’s grand final; Phillip Island skipper Jack Taylor is going to be the key focus of his teammates and look the match-winner up forward. He moves well for his size but also has the bulk to outmanoeuvre an opponent in a marking contest. The Goons’ centre-half-back Cairns is the best intercept mark in the WGFNC, and his ability to absorb Taylor’s pressure; and release that same pressure valve for his team, is going to be crucial in how this game plays out. If Cairns is at his marking best; the Bulldogs may well have to settle for second prize. That’s how important the big number-17 is!
Under The Radar
Alex Duyker – Phillip Island
Supporters of Phillip Island will be laughing at this, because Duyker’s importance certainly doesn’t fly under the radar at the Kennel. He has experience and a fantastic football IQ, with his decision-making, courage and clean hands under pressure sure to be a key hurdle for the Goon forwards to overcome. The Goon hasn’t seen him yet this year!
Taylor Whitford – Nar Nar Goon
Like Duyker, Whitford comes into the grand final as an unknown factor for the opposition; having not played against the Bulldogs this year. He is tough, strong and classy and will likely start midfield before drifting forward where he can be a real danger up forward. Is very quick thinking and only needs a split-second to hurt you.
X-Factors
Zac Walker – Phillip Island
Cam Pedersen, Billy Taylor, Tom Baulch, Yianni Caffieri; many could be the X-factor for the Bulldogs, but such has been Walker’s emergence this year that he thoroughly deserves top billing. He could start on the wing, in the ruck, up forward or down back, such is his ability to play many roles at a high level. Is very good overhead, but his kicking can let him down. A young star on the rise!
Jarrod Smith – Nar Nar Goon
Phillip Island only has to wind back the clock to August 17 to remind itself of the damage the classy left-footer can cause. His late winning-goal was extraordinary in a high-pressure contest; gathering a tumbling ball before taking one step and launching a missile over his right shoulder and through the big sticks. It was one of those moments where you need to check yourself to make sure it was real; and there are not too many that can make you do that. Smith, Yawney, Harry Brain, Matt Gentile and JJ Peni…they’re the X-factors for the Goon.
Our Tip
The first thing to get our head around here is; what type of game are we going to see?
The two coaches, Cam Pedersen and Justin Stanton, have the firepower at their disposal to turn this into an absolute shootout; something that resembles the 41 goals that were scored between the two clubs back in round 15, 2018.
Wouldn’t that be a sight for sore eyes…both teams attacking to their full capacity; but it’s highly unlikely to happen.
Last year we had a 63-63 draw, followed by a dour 44-43 win to Phillip Island in the preliminary final.
This year the Goon thumped the Island in round one; 99 to 50, before round 18 saw the Goon make it a perfect record against the Bulldogs this year in an 82-78 classic.
That’s probably what we’ll get more of this time around; with 12 to 13 goals likely to be a winning score.
So, how do both teams get to that mark?
Phillip Island was the highest scoring team in the home-and-away rounds (1936 points) but clearly conceded the most score (964) of the top-five teams in the competition.
Their back-seven looks magnificent on paper, with Alex Duyker, Damien Holmes, Jesse Patullo, Aaron Harris, Kai Mackenzie, Mark Griffin and Daniel Pearce appearing to have all bases covered.
But that statistic; the Bulldogs conceding 964 points to Nar Nar Goon’s 713 this year…there’s got to be something in that!
If a horse-trainer had such a statistical advantage over his opposition; he’d go into a race very confident indeed!
The Goon has the speed, talent, and chaotic mentality to really disrupt the Bulldogs’ defence.
Dermott Yawney has been trained to the minute and looks primed and ready for a big one, while Matt Gentile, Matt Homfray, Jarrod Smith, Troy McDermott and Harry Brain all have the ability to hit the scoreboard hard.
But can the Goon stop the Bulldogs going the opposite way?
That’s the big question for Stanton, with Billy Taylor, Jack Taylor, Pedersen, Tom Baulch, Orlando Kane Gillard and Travis Woodfield all capable of ruining his dreams.
But, as usual in finals, it will begin and end at the stoppages.
Pedersen can bank on Jaymie Youle being super-tough in the clinches, and Hayden Bruce electrifying around the ground, while Stanton can be fully confident that Trent Armour, Aidan Pipicelli and Taylor Whitford won’t take a backward step.
But the true defining factor; as it has been all season; will be Nar Nar Goon’s ability to convert its chances.
Only once this year (Tooradin in round 15) has an opposition had more scoring shots that the Goon, which means its overall play is absolutely outstanding.
Do we back in their forwards or not?
The answer is yes; an accurate and efficient Nar Nar Goon will convert its chances on Saturday and win its first premiership in 14 years.
The club’s number-14, Armour, will then lift the cup after a heart-stopping 12-point victory.
