Sea Eagles edge out Dusties in thrilling eight-point win

THE fans were out at Western Park on Saturday as Inverloch-Kongwak and Warragul Industrials put on a game for the ages in round eight of the West Gippsland Football Netball Competition.

The scoreboard told a story of momentum swings and missed opportunities, but it was Inverloch-Kongwak who walked away with the narrow eight-point victory, 11.10 (76) to 9.14 (68), a win built on relentless pressure and last-quarter composure.

The game started in scrappy fashion. Both sides found themselves peppering the goals without reward – Inverloch-Kongwak managing 2.2 while the home side was left ruing 0.4 in the first quarter.

Early goals to Joseph Nowell and Augustus Finsterer gave the Sea Eagles a sniff, but the Dusties ensured their side was still within touching distance.

The second quarter saw Warragul Industrials turn the tables. Todd Beck, Robert McCallum and Ben Nichol found their radar to slot home goals, while Harry McInnes kept the Sea Eagles in the game with a timely major. The margin was razor-thin at halftime, with the Dustie’s leading by just three points – 3.3 (21) to 3.6 (24).

Warragul Industrials came out firing after the main break. Nichol, McCallum, Beck and Gibson hit the scoreboard as they threatened to break the game open. However, 
the Sea Eagles steadied with crucial goals from Taite Cumming and Augustus Finsterer as the Dustie’s went into the final quarter 18 points in front.

The last quarter was one of those you’ll remember for a long time. The Sea Eagles, down by 18 points at the final change, refused to go quietly. Joseph Nowell turned into a one-man wrecking crew, slotting three final-quarter goals, dragged his team back in reach of the four point win. Harry McInnes and Taite Cumming chipped in with vital majors as the Sea Eagles found another gear in overtime.

Every time the Dusties threatened, Inverloch-Kongwak responded. The margin hovered around a goal for much of the term, but it was Joe Soumilas who iced the game for the Sea Eagles with a clutch goal in the dying minutes.

Best-on-ground performances came from Joe Soumilas, Ethan Park, Lewis Rankin, and the ever-dangerous Joseph Nowell, whose four-goal haul proved decisive. 

Inverloch-Kongwak’s win puts them in finals contention, their ability to find a way in the tough moments perhaps a turning point for a team who had a slow start to the year. Meanwhile, Warragul Industrials will be left wondering how costly their inaccuracy in front of goal was – nine goals and 14 behinds a cruel statistic in an otherwise even game. The Sea Eagles now face the Magpie’s at home.