Level at three-quarter time, then the Goon went again
Dermott Yawney kicked six as Nar Nar Goon made it three flags in a row and handed Phillip Island a fourth grand final loss in five years
PHILLIP ISLAND and Nar Nar Goon were level at three-quarter time in the West Gippsland senior grand final, 48 apiece, and the Bulldogs had not trailed by more than a goal at any break all afternoon.
Then the Goon kicked three to one in the last and it was over, 10.9 (69) to 8.7 (55) at Garfield on Saturday.
It is three flags in a row for Nar Nar Goon, who beat Phillip Island by 24 points in the 2024 decider and Tooradin-Dalmore by 21 last year.
For the Bulldogs it is a fourth grand final loss in five seasons, after going down to Tooradin-Dalmore in 2022, Inverloch-Kongwak in 2023 and the Goon in 2024.
Dermott Yawney did the damage, kicking six of the winners' 10 goals and taking best on ground.
James Cairns, Ryan Bromley, Nate Pipicelli and Clancy Pope kicked the others.
Cam Pedersen led Phillip Island's best ahead of Billy Taylor, Finn O'Brien, Daniel Pearce, captain Jack Taylor and Jay Ladson.
Billy Taylor kicked three, Pedersen and O'Brien two each and Connor Thompson one.
Phillip Island had every reason to fancy it.
They came into the day off the best performance of their season, 16.14 (110) to 8.10 (58) against Inverloch-Kongwak in the preliminary final, a 52-point win over the side that had finished second.
Before that they accounted for Cora Lynn by 26 in the elimination final and Warragul Industrials by 43 in the semi.
Three finals, three comfortable wins, none of them closer than four goals.
Nar Nar Goon had taken the direct route, finishing on top at 16-2 with a percentage of 190 and beating Inverloch-Kongwak 6.13 (49) to 4.8 (32) in the second semi to go straight through.
The sides had split the home and away season, the Goon by 53 points in round one and the Bulldogs by 15 in round 15.
Phillip Island playing coach Cam Pedersen, who had just been named his side's best, gave credit where it was due.
"First of all, congratulations to Nar Nar Goon on the three-peat," Pedersen said.
"You've been phenomenal and set the standard."
He then thanked the Phillip Island supporters.
Nar Nar Goon coach Matt Shorey returned it.
"Phillip Island are a great bunch of blokes and it's always great to play them in a grand final," Shorey said.
"Well done, boys. We did it again."
The Bulldogs did not leave Garfield empty-handed.
Their reserves beat Cora Lynn 10.10 (70) to 2.5 (17) earlier in the day, holding the Cobras to two goals in a 53-point win.
Travis Woodfield, Nick Anderson, Will Taylor-Eagles and Max Taylor kicked two each, with Jackson Huther and Noah Forrest Mabilia adding one.
Benji Chihotski was named best on ground and captain Bryce Pewtress lifted the cup with coach Brad Thompson.
Like the seniors, that side had finished on top of the ladder at 16-2.
NAR NAR GOON: 2.2, 6.5, 7.6, 10.9 (69)
PHILLIP ISLAND: 2.4, 6.4, 7.6, 8.7 (55)
GOALS: Nar Nar Goon: D. Yawney 6, J. Cairns 1, R. Bromley 1, N. Pipicelli 1, C. Pope 1. Phillip Island: B. Taylor 3, C. Pedersen 2, F. O'Brien 2, C. Thompson 1.
BEST: Nar Nar Goon: D. Yawney, N. Pipicelli, R. Bromley, F. Parker, Jed Smith, Jake Smith. Phillip Island: C. Pedersen, B. Taylor, F. O'Brien, D. Pearce, J. Taylor, J. Ladson.
