Bambridge boots 10 as Dusties dominate

by Nicholas Duck
Ten goals from Warragul Industrials forward Lachlan Bambridge lifted his side to a commanding 60-point win over Kilcunda Bass on Saturday in one last tune-up before finals.
A particularly ballistic barrage of four consecutive majors to the high-flier in the third quarter helped build what proved to be a match-winning lead, the Dusties far too strong at home 17.18 (120) to 9.6 (60).
While Bambridge took on the lead role there were plenty of supporting actors helping him perform in what was a comprehensive effort across the ground.
The Panthers' star ruck Dale Gawley may have taken the honours at the hit outs, but outside of that the Dusties were well on top, their stoppage work and transition footy especially deadly.
They were guilty of not making their chances count, particularly early, but past half time the weight of numbers won out and the home side showed they're ready for another finals appearance.
Kuiy Jiath played a major role in their midfield work, moving smoothly and even sneaking inside 50 for two goals.
Captain Michael Debenham was clinical as ever and backed up his four-goal effort last week with another three, as midfielder Boadie Motton was in and under and making the most of his disposals. Late in the game Motton nailed a kick inside 50 even while being tackled, leading Panther Tom Davey to jokingly threaten he'd have to whack him to get him to stop.
Dashing half back Matt Herbert and young gun Brody Walsh rounded out the best on a dominant day overall.
Gawley earned the honours for Kilcunda Bass, taking advantage of Bob McCallum's continued absence to exert his influence around the ground and ensure midfielder Nathan Foote enjoyed some silver service.
Bradley Aldwell gave his all against the Dusties' engine room and forward Dean McRae kicked three, while defender Lochlan Scott effectively shut down Bailey Beck after the latter's eight-goal day last week.
William Campbell also was named among the visitors' better performers.
Early indications for the Dusties were they were continuing their rush of goals from the week prior when they put the first three on the board.
They were helped by the Panthers defence at times, including when a horrendous kick out landed right at Debenham's feet, letting the skipper put it right back over the defender's head.
The Panthers were able to steady, however, catching the home side defending too high more than once and getting out the back to even things up.
The Dusties had ample opportunity to break away come the second quarter but couldn't make the most of their chances, letting Kilcunda Bass hang around.
This was despite the Panthers still being their own worst enemy on occasion – a kick across defence somehow outdid their awful earlier effort, landing in Bambridge's waiting arms and letting him waltz in another.
A goal on the siren to McRae kept things within reach and frustrated the Dusties, who went into half time boasting a lead that should have been much larger.
They weren't going to stay mad for long though.
Jiath got things rolling in the third term shortly before Bambridge went bananas, slamming home the next four off his own boot. He was doing it all – marking on the lead, crumbing his own contests and even claiming a holding the ball free to stamp his authority and bring his tally to eight at the final break.
As Bambridge got off the the chain so did the margin, the only real matter of interest in the last being whether he could break double digits.
A free kick ensured he did, his teammates smothering him in congratulations for the effort.
Speaking post-game, McCallum was happy with his side's ability to weather the Panthers and break away.
"You've got to put that effort in the first quarter, first half and then you can get it on your terms and break away. You won't get that opportunity most weeks where you get away in the first quarter and it's easy sailing," he said.
"They're a quality side, even with the score, and we knew that so it was a nice result."
On Bambridge, McCallum lauded his forward line's ability to have several avenues to goal.
"We're very fortunate that we've got guys who can bob up and do that. For our forward line it's just about facilitating each other. If someone's having a good day you do your best to make sure it continues which is the unselfish thing and is something we pride ourselves on."
Having now ended their season with two big wins, Warragul Industrials will enter the finals in some scoring form. Putting the Beck brothers at opposite ends of the ground has paid dividends for McCallum, who is expected to return when the Dusties face Koo wee rup this Sunday in an elimination final.
Demons skipper Nathan Voss looks likely to miss thanks to a hamstring injury in what looms as a monster clash.