The Bass Coast clash

ALL roads led to the Bass Recreation Reserve on Sunday, where another block of Semi Finals were held, this time between the teams who’d won through from the previous week’s Elimination Finals. 

A spot in the Preliminary Final was at stake for the winners, a trip home and season over the result for the losers as another perfect day of weather greeted the under 16s to kick off proceedings. 

This time, it was Dalyston and Nar Nar Goon, and it was the local boys in black and white getting the job done, albeit narrowly, by just the five points. 

A three goal to one first term set the Daly boys up beautifully and they were good enough to hold off a surging Goon outfit in the final quarter thanks to some great play from Lincoln Harris, Angus Rosenow and three goals to Noah Shepherd. 

Matthew Cross, Bailey Hill and three majors from Tarrant Millar brought the Goon boys close. 

In the under 18s, Sunday’s Semi Final brought Phillip Island and Tooradin-Dalmore together in another exciting match, both sides looked to play with flair and speed on a perfect morning for footy at the home of the Panthers. 

In the end though, it was the Bulldogs steam train rolling on once again, proving just too good for a wayward Seagulls outfit who missed chance after chance in the final quarter to win it. 

Some late forward brilliance from Brady Ross saw him finish with three goals and some superb work upfield by Finn Cashman, Beau Davies and James Lewis allowed the ‘Dogs to advance, a scintillating goal roving the pack inside 50 from Noah Muller was the highlight. 

Daniel Ahern, Jack Hamilton and Anthony Mirauta’s two goals were the best for the ‘Gulls. 

Next up, it was a local Bass Coast clash in the Reserves as Inverloch-Kongwak went head-to-head with Phillip Island. 

The clash was as even as you could make it in the first term, with both sides having their fair share of slick ball movement and dominant play, in the end it was IK’s four goal to two second half that was the difference. 

They were inaccurate, but it didn’t matter as their ball movement again, resembled that of a strong Senior side at times, seeing them through to a Preliminary Final with a 21-point win. 

Todd Mackie was everywhere in defence, while Corey Casey was fantastic in the midfield and Dylan Taylor nabbed three goals, while on the ‘Dogs side, Daniel Larsson, Rob Linford and Dean Blake were admirable as their season came to an end. 

To cap off one of the biggest and best weekends in WGFNC history, it was a Nar Nar Goon masterclass in the Seniors, taking care of the Warragul Industrials in front of 3,200 people. 

Trent Armour put in an outstanding captain’s performance, gathering possessions everywhere and finishing with an exciting goal to bury the dangerous Dusties. 

Armour was helped out by his defence, which was led by James Cairns’ dominance, taking 11 intercept grabs and disallowing the Warragul forwards any real opportunities in front of goal. 

Up forward, the men in the blue and white hoops were again unstoppable, led by Troy McDermott and Dermott Yawney who both kicked multiple majors in the 35-point win.

Young star Alixzander Tauru was courageous in defeat, giving his absolute all, all afternoon long in the loss, he was assisted by Michael Debenham and Luke Walker. 

The finals continue with Preliminary Final weekend on Saturday at Dalyston Recreation Reserve.