Dusties over the line against the Panthers

A YOYOING contest saw Kilcunda Bass go down to the Warragul Industrials by nine points.

On an unexpectedly hot day for April, both teams looked to be in form at the Bass Recreation Reserve and it was a battle to see who would take charge of the game.

Both sides did well to ensure the standard didn’t slip throughout the game despite the heat, which was highly commendable.

The Dusties got the jump on the Panthers playing a superb opening 12 minutes of the first quarter.

Kilcunda Bass found itself chasing and defending early, trying to keep up with the threatening opposition.

The Panthers had the opportunity to pull the game back in its favour through the back half of the first term and were happy to head into the first break only two goals down after what the start of the game had looked like.

Kilcunda Bass regrouped and went in to play a solid second quarter.

The Panthers reciprocated the pressure from the first quarter and converted its opportunities to kick five goals to one.

Dale Gawley played another impressive game in the ruck, standing strong against Warragul Industrials’ Robert McCallum all day. 

Nathan Foote played another consistent game and thrilled fans when he took a screamer. 

Jack Soroczynski was also a standout in the halfback role. 

The third quarter has posed a challenge for Kilcunda Bass historically, and the third quarter is where it lost the game this week.

During the third quarter, Kilcunda Bass worked its way up to a 21-point margin and it was looking like it would be very comfortable going into the last term.

Brody Connelly made two snapshots at crucial moments, which kept the Panthers in the hunt and were very exciting for local fans to see. 

However, Warragul Industrials took it up a notch during the middle of the quarter and Kilcunda Bass failed to hit its targets as the three-quarter time siren loomed.

Kilcunda Bass allowed the Dusties to draw within seven points going into the final break.

After bringing the game back into its reach, Warragul Industrials went into the last quarter with confidence.

Although the Dusties managed a nine-point win, a few shots from the Panthers – including one on the siren – made the contest look a lot closer for the spectators.

Kilcunda Bass is a young side this season, and there were plenty of positives to take from this match, as well as a few learnings that will be focused on during training.

Kilcunda Bass assessed two hamstring injuries after the game, which may see one player out for next week’s match.

Next week, Kilcunda Bass will take on Inverloch-Kongwak in the Easter Saturday clash at the Inverloch Recreation Reserve.

The Panthers are looking forward to this match, which will give them a good indication of where they sit in the pack early in the season.