Tuesday, 30 April 2024
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“Eight point game” looms for Dusties
4 min read

Round seven of the West Gippsland Football Netball Competition is here, and the top three will be looking at big wins to further entrench themselves as the teams to beat.
Locally, Warragul Industrials play their biggest game of the season thus far against a fellow top six contender.
Warragul Industrials vs Nar Nar Goon
It's a classic "eight point game" in the race for the top six as the sixth-placed Warragul Industrials host eighth-placed Nar Nar Goon.
Just two points separate the two on the ladder, as the Dusties look to consolidate their finals position while the Goon are looking to break back in.
The Dusties have been more than capable against some of the lower sides, while they haven't quite been able to match it with the league's best.
Given the Goon don't quite fall into either category, this will be the kind of game against a team around them on the ladder that they'll be wanting to make a good showing in if they're to make finals again.
They'll also be celebrating a trio of milestones, with Will Gibson playing his 250th club game, Luke Walker playing his 350th senior game and club legend Shane Brewster achieving his 250th senior match for the Dusties, the third most in club history.
Nar Nar Goon's form, meanwhile, has been impossible to gauge.
The Goon's best has been excellent while their worst has been quite poor. On occasion they've even shown both in the same match, such as when they squandered a five-goal fourth quarter lead against Phillip Island.
The race for the top six the battle between two of 2022's finalists cannot be understated, with plenty of ramifications to come no matter who wins.
Cora Lynn vs Bunyip
Bunyip were left licking their wounds after a total annihilation last week and will head to Cora Lynn looking to atone.
The Bulldogs couldn't get near their vastly more experienced opponents in Phillip Island, as the growing pains of their rebuild were on display.
Things don't get much easier for them, given that was the first in a series of five consecutive matches against teams that finished in the top six last season.
Next up are Cora Lynn, who are riding high after managing to shake off a dogged challenge from Nar Nar Goon last week.
The Cobras have been going about as expected this season. They haven't been setting the world on fire, but by that same token have been getting the job done.
A loss two weeks ago to Dalyston may have come as a shock, but this is the kind of game they'll be looking at as a potential percentage booster.
Garfield vs Dalyston
Garfield welcomes Dalyston to their home oval this weekend in a match between two teams that have shown varying levels of improvement.
The Stars look a more solid team than the 2022 edition, and will this weekend face off with the one team they defeated last year.
But this year's version of Dalyston looks a much different prospect.
Sitting at four and two, the Magpies have already doubled their win tally from last season and already achieved their best win total since 2017.
Garfield will believe they can challenge Dalyston, particularly at home, but it's going to take a significant effort to get the win.
At least they don't have to worry about Shaun Burgoyne this time.
Other games
It's a case of David vs Goliath where, ironically, the Giants are David as Korumburra Bena travels to play Inverloch-Kongwak.
The 11th-placed Giants will be hard pressed as they try to tame the undefeated Sea Eagles, who are playing with all the confidence of a premiership favourite.
Another big Inverloch-Kongwak win is very much on the cards.
Phillip Island are in a similar boat as they take on Kilcunda Bass.
The Bulldogs are hot on the heels of the top two and will be eyeing off this game as another percentage booster after their 199-point win over Bunyip last week.
Kilcunda Bass have improved as the year has progressed, to the point where they're now challenging for the top six, but their three wins have been against three of the bottom four sides.
Finally, the reigning premiers Tooradin-Dalmore host Koo wee rup.
Outside of a blip against Phillip Island, it's been business as usual for the Seagulls, who have won their last two matches by 87 and 78 points respectively.
Things haven't been so bright for Koo wee rup, who are on a four-game losing streak and quickly slipping away from the rest of the competition.
Should they lose by a lot here a match next week against Inverloch-Kongwak looms, and by that point it'll be lights out for their season.