Dogs edge out Industrials in tight clash

IN A fiercely contested match at the Garfield Recreation Reserve, Phillip Island Under18s narrowly defeated Warragul Industrials by seven points, securing a 3.6 (24) to 2.5 (17) victory in the West Gippsland Football Netball Competition on Saturday morning.

The first quarter saw Phillip Island take early control, with Oliver Duggan making his mark early. Duggan slotted two crucial goals at the 13-minute and 18-minute marks, helping Phillip Island establish a 16-point lead by the quarter’s end. Warragul struggled to penetrate Phillip Island’s defence, failing to score in the opening term.

Warragul mounted a fightback in the second quarter. Jarrod West brought them to life with a goal just seconds into the term, and despite some missed opportunities, the Industrials reduced the deficit to nine points at halftime. Phillip Island, on the other hand, couldn’t add to their tally in the second or third quarters as Warragul began to claw their way back.

The third quarter provided further drama. Warragul’s captain Campbell Gibbons levelled the scores at 16-16 with a goal at the start of the term, capitalising on Phillip Island’s scoring drought. But despite Warragul edging closer, they couldn’t convert several chances into goals, adding only behinds for much of the quarter.

As tensions rose in the final quarter, Phillip Island’s Duggan once again came to the fore. He kicked his third goal with three minutes left on the clock, extending Phillip Island’s lead. Warragul fought hard but could only manage a single behind in response. Duggan’s goal ultimately sealed the game, earning him a spot among the day’s best players alongside Timothy Niven and Finn O’Brien.

Warragul’s best efforts were led by Gibbons and Jarrod West, but missed opportunities throughout the match left them just short. Both sides showed great promise, but Phillip Island’s early surge and Duggan’s accuracy proved decisive.