Inverloch-Kongwak take the first cup of the day but fall short in the thirds
The Sea Eagles won the fourths by 53 points then were held to two goals by a Tooradin-Dalmore side that came from sixth
INVERLOCH-KONGWAK HAVE taken the first cup of West Gippsland grand final day at Garfield, belting Nar Nar Goon in the fourths before falling short in the thirds an hour later.
The Sea Eagles won the fourths 10.7 (67) to 2.2 (14), holding Nar Nar Goon scoreless in the opening quarter and to two points across the first three.
Tige Dowie kicked four and was named second best on ground behind Arch Rayner.
The Sea Eagles had gone through the home and away season 15-1 to top the ladder.
Six of that side backed up in the thirds a little more than an hour later, Dowie, Harvey Sorensen, James Martin, Zeb Anderson, Finn O'Halloran and Hayden Bell all named in both.
That one got away from them. Inverloch-Kongwak had finished second in the thirds, but Tooradin-Dalmore, who scraped into the finals in sixth, won 6.4 (40) to 2.5 (17) for their fourth straight finals victory.
The sides were locked together at 2.2 apiece at quarter time and Inverloch-Kongwak did not add a point in the second, trailing by one at the main break.
Tooradin-Dalmore then kicked 4.1 to a solitary behind in the third quarter to lead by 25 at the last change, and gave up nothing after it.
Sorensen and Cooper Newman managed Inverloch-Kongwak's only goals, with Froley Anderson named their best ahead of Rhys Newman, Jeremy Kelly, Mitchell Ward, Zavier Bertacco and Ty Debono.
Inverloch-Kongwak coach David Newman said the season had not been a smooth one.
"It's been a bumpy ride this year with numbers, but we can hold our heads up high," Newman said.
"Make sure you keep your head held high. There's loads of supporters out there."
Tooradin-Dalmore coach David Worrall did not shy away from how his side got there, having beaten Nar Nar Goon, Koo Wee Rup and then minor premiers Phillip Island by 28 points in the preliminary final.
"To our boys, we did it the hard way. Sixth on the ladder and a big slump in the middle of the year, but we got there and showed the quality of the playing list to get the job done," Worrall said.
"I couldn't be more proud of you guys."
He also had a word for the beaten Sea Eagles.
"To Inverloch, such a great team. You're a really young, hard-at-it team and you'll have success soon."
Kaiden Kilpatrick and Jayden Worrall kicked two each for the winners.
On the netball court, Cora Lynn won the 17 and Under 39-29 over Phillip Island, then went down by a single goal in the D Grade, Nar Nar Goon getting home 33-32.
Garfield Stars accounted for Cora Lynn 33-29 in the C Grade before Cora Lynn hit back in the B Grade.
RESULTS: Football: Fourths: Inverloch-Kongwak 10.7 (67) d Nar Nar Goon 2.2 (14). Thirds: Tooradin-Dalmore 6.4 (40) d Inverloch-Kongwak 2.5 (17). Netball: 17 and Under: Cora Lynn 39 d Phillip Island 29. D Grade: Nar Nar Goon 33 d Cora Lynn 32. C Grade: Garfield Stars 33 d Cora Lynn 29.
The senior football between Nar Nar Goon and Phillip Island and the A Grade netball between Kilcunda Bass and Korumburra Bena are now under way.
