by Nicholas Duck

Talk about raining on a parade.
Warragul Industrials' dream start to 2025 has come to an end with a 31-point loss to Tooradin-Dalmore in Friday's annual Anzac Day match.
The Dusties were brought undone courtesy of a wet slog of a second half that saw the visitors adjust to the conditions much better, particularly up forward.
The Seagulls soared in the rain, booting 10 goals to four past the main break to down the Dusties 15.9 (99) to 10.8 (68).
Effort and intensity was abound from both sides throughout the day, but as the rain teemed down it came down to who could make the most of their limited chances.
In the end it was the men in the green and red taking advantage, finding valuable space inside 50 to make the Dusties pay.
The third term was especially effective for the Seagulls, keeping Warragul Industrials goalless as they mounted their case.
An injury just after half time to star playmaker Kuiy Jiath didn't help the home side's case. Jiath limped off with what looked to be a classic hamstring as the club will be sweating on how long he might be out of action.
Todd Beck kept up his hot run of form to be one of the Dusties' best yet again.
Up forward it was the teenage terror for Tooradin-Dalmore's defence in the first half as youngsters Thomas Cornwall (three goals) and Cody Templeton (two goals) showed why the club is seriously excited about what they might become.
Thomas Commadeur never stopped with his second and third efforts while another strong showing from Goy Lok saw him walk away with the Anzac Medal.
For Tooradin-Dalmore ex-Hawthorn and St Kilda player Shane Savage was the star of the show, showing composure through the middle and up forward with two goals.
Savage is one of three Seagulls who have seen time in the big leagues along with Matthew Buntine (GWS) and Adam Oxley (Collingwood). That's some pretty good top end quality.
Midfielder Lewis Hill also starred, as did Liam Adams, Brad Butler, big man Piva Wright and Logan Downe.
Forward Andrew Dean (four goals) was the biggest beneficiary of his teammates' solid decision making going inside 50.
Footy paled in comparison to the meaning of the day with both clubs joining to pay tribute to the fallen Anzacs in a pre-match ceremony and wearing special guernseys to mark the occasion.
An entertaining match followed, one that saw several swings in momentum - something that's become a hallmark of Warragul Industrials this year.
After conceding the first four goals of the day in quick time it was up to the Dusties to mount their challenge.
That early deficit was in part thanks to Warragul Industrials' untidiness with ball in hand as they wasted more than a few chances across their forward line, missing kicks to keep handing the ball back.
Tooradin-Dalmore were more than capable of making them pay for it too, with Brad Butler, Panos Papas, Daniel Ahern and Andrew Dean cashing in.
Cornwall was the Dusties' only saving grace inside 50, kicking the last two goals of the quarter to give his team life at the first break and have their entire quarter time score coming off his boot.
He wasn't done there, kicking off the second quarter with a magnificent snap over his shoulder that floated through for his third.
Templeton joined in with his first soon after from a 50-metre penalty following some clumsy high contact to get the margin back to under a kick.
Xavier Shinners ran onto a loose ball to extend the Seagulls' lead back out, but consecutive majors to Bailey Beck and then Templeton after the siren gave Warragul Industrials a three-point lead at the half.
The rain came down harder across half time, turning what had been a greasy ball into a bar of soap.
Tooradin-Dalmore took full advantage of the new conditions, taking territory above all else while the Dusties struggled to find space inside 50.
Three unanswered goals in the third quarter had the Seagulls primed, and when Butler swung a boot at a loose ball and thumped it through the Dusties' uncanny ability to make comeback was really being put to the test.
Consecutive goals from Will Gibson and skipper Michael Debenham briefly raised some hopes, but in the end the Seagulls had too much class to overcome.
Warragul Industrials coach Bob McCallum said the game had been "more about moments than anything."
"In the first half we had the opportunities to put them away but we probably didn't take our moments," he said.
"The second half I think we didn't play the wet weather well enough. We still tried to play dry footy, hitting targets out wide when we just needed to play a numbers game. By the time we got that right it was too late and they were on a bit of a run."
The Dusties next face bottom side Korumburra Bena as they look to get back on the winners' list.