By David Nagel
Two teams expected to lead a chasing pack in 2025 will lock horns on the banks of the Westernport when Tooradin-Dalmore host Phillip Island in the most intriguing round-six match-up in West Gippsland football.
Jordan Kelly and his Seagulls haven’t done much wrong; securing four wins against competitive opposition, but a recent thumping at the hands of reigning-premier Nar Nar Goon has left us all feeling a little confused.
The Seagulls were supposed to bridge the gap on the Goon this season, with Shane Savage, Jack Flannery and Andrew Dean all high-class inclusions; but the gap seems to have widened.
It appears to have grown bigger for Phillip Island as well, with the Bulldogs also treated with contempt by Matt Shorey and his Goon boys on the opening day of the season.
These two are very resilient clubs, and it won’t take much to convince them that they are still the top contenders – alongside Cora Lynn, Warragul Industrials and Kilcunda-Bass – to be there on grand final day this year.
The ongoing training sessions of Kelly and his Phillip Island counterpart Cam Pedersen will be fully focussed on bridging the gap on the Goon; but this week it’s all about the challenge of defeating a fellow perennial finalist.
Phillip Island hasn’t looked like missing a finals series since the WGFNC came to life in 2017, and the Seagulls have had the same impressive profile since joining two years later.
The Gulls enter this contest coming off a tough game against Inverloch-Kongwak, where a three-point lead at three-quarter time was extended to 37 points by the final siren.
Lewis Hill was magnificent for the home side, kicking four goals in a best on ground display, while Piva Wright, Matt Buntine, Flannery and exciting left-footer Logan Downe will take good form into this week’s clash against the Doggies.
Pedersen and his team will be as fresh a two-year-old on Blue Diamond Day.
They haven’t raced, sorry, played, since April 26, with a 20-day gap between outings.
Key players such as Hayden Bruce, Jaymie Youle, Max Walton and Billy Taylor were super impressive that day and have had three weeks to bask in the glory.
This is a huge game for both clubs; with the Seagulls looking to lock down a top-two position and really damage the prospects of a team that wants that spot.
If the Gulls do defeat the Island, the Bulldogs will likely be looking in from outside the top six for the first time in many a long year.
It’ll be tough and it will be a challenge, but expect the brilliance of Hill and Brad Butler to get the Seagulls home in a thriller.
In other great games this week, Inverloch-Kongwak will fall to a 1-4 record after a defeat at the hands of Nar Nar Goon, while Dalyston and Garfield will fight a fierce battle at Dalyston.
The Stars are desperate for four points, but we’ll go for the Magpies to sneak home by under a straight kick.
Kooweerup should level out its season at 3-3 with a 15-point win at Korumburra, while Kilcunda-Bass host Cora Lynn in another intriguing match-up.
The battle in the ruck between Dale Gawley and Billy Thomas is always a beauty and will go a long way towards deciding the outcome.
The Panthers are playing some solid footy at the moment; but the X-factor of the Cobras will see them win by 14 points.
Warragul Industrials have the bye.
