Seagulls hold off feisty Panthers
KILCUNDA BASS travelled up the highway to face off with the reigning premiers Tooradin Dalmore at the Tooradin Recreation Reserve and were dealt the first blow before they even arrived. Gun centre half forward Taylor Gibson was ruled out of the game...
KILCUNDA BASS travelled up the highway to face off with the reigning premiers Tooradin Dalmore at the Tooradin Recreation Reserve and were dealt the first blow before they even arrived.
Gun centre half forward Taylor Gibson was ruled out of the game with a quad injury, opening the door for young Trent Cartmel, who is still eligible to play in the under 16s!
The teams were welcomed by some perfect Tooradin weather in the opening period and the match started evenly with both sides really hitting the ball hard inside.
The visitors were good enough to set up plenty of scoring opportunities in the opening stanza but were costly in their execution, kicking one goal and five behinds.
The hosts didn’t make as many mistakes with livewire forward Stewart Scanlon again causing havoc alongside Julian Suarez and their side took an 18-point lead into the first break.
The ever-reliable Dale Gawley was again fantastic in the ruck for the Panthers, coming off his team of the year season in 2022.
The Seagulls got right on top in the second term though, with ill-discipline and skill errors costing ‘Killy Bass’ dearly.
Four goals to one in the second, gave the reigning premiers a 35-point lead going into the main break.
Fortunately for the visitors, they showed much more promising signs in the third, with a few adjustments from Lee Rowe and his coaching team at half time working well.
Although lack of polish inside 50 was costing the Rowe’s men, especially against the potent Seagulls side who were able to move the ball cleanly through the middle of the ground.
As the rain began to trickle down though, Kilcunda Bass were able to fight back on the back of some inspired play by Lochie Scott and Nathan Foote.
They went into the final break 27-points adrift.
The hosts kicked the first two goals of the fourth quarter, but the Panthers kept coming, booting three to finish the match in a strong four quarter effort.
Tooradin-Dalmore were always in control but started to get frustrated with ‘Killy Bass’ continued presence in the contest as the rain really began to pour down in the fourth.
The reigning premiers showed enough composure to close out the win though, their second of the young season, to the tune of 21-points.
They’ll now head to Western Park for the annual ANZAC Day clash with Warragul, while Kilcunda Bass will host Dalyston.
