by Nicholas Duck
It's the final round of home and away season in the West Gippsland Football Netball Competition, and though the top six has been settled for some time now, there's still plenty of intrigue as the best teams all gear up for finals. Some of them will be looking to continue momentum, while others look to create it. Here's how this week's action is shaping up.

Dalyston vs Bunyip
Location: Dalyston Recreation Reserve
It's a chance for some final-round redemption for Dalyston and Bunyip, in a season that hasn't quite gone to plan for either club.
Dalyston's positive early start to the season has unfortunately given way to old habits, with the club losing their pas seven games by an average of 73 points. Their disastrous defeat last week to the previously winless Garfield was probably their lowest point in a season that has provided a few.
Bunyip, meanwhile, had early aspirations of finals this season, before a lacklustre second half of the year has seen them fall away dramatically and out of contention entirely. The Bulldogs have played some solid games, but as the season has worn on, their inability to even challenge the better sides in the league has left them in their current position.
Still, even with Bunyip's failure to make finals, Dalyston's current form would have them as just about the worst side in the league at the present time. The last time these two met it was Bunyip who prevailed by 51 points, and they should be looking at a similar result here to end their year on a good note.
Kilcunda Bass vs Garfield
Location: Bass Recreation Reserve
After a horrendous year it was total relief for Garfield last week as they finally broke through for their first win of the year. The Stars were much too good for Dalyston in that match, putting behind them much of the scoring woes that have plagues them this season to break through the 100-point barrier for the first time.
And this week, they're just a sneaky chance of making it two in a row against Kilcunda Bass.
It's been a bit of an indifferent year for the Panthers. After starting the year poorly, a four-game win streak against the lower sides on the table gave some reason for joy, but their only victory since then was last week, where they barely scraped past the bottom-placed Korumburra-Bena.
It makes this an intriguing match-up, and given the Stars very nearly overcame the Panthers in their last meeting, they're certainly not without a chance.
Still, given Kilcunda Bass are at home one would imagine they'll start favourites and will be keen to give their home fans something to cheer about before the year's end.
Koo wee rup vs Tooradin-Dalmore
Location: Koo wee rup Recreation Reserve
A year of solid development for Koo wee rup sees them finish their year with the toughest assignment the league has to offer, as they face the top-of-the-table Tooradin-Dalmore.
The Demons have shown plenty through the improvement of their young talent, and have at times even threatened to make a finals push. But inconsistency has plagued their year, and though they've looked like claiming a big scalp at times, it's never happened.
If they are to do it in their final game though, it would be the biggest scalp of all.
Tooradin-Dalmore will be gearing up for a finals series in which they will be warm favourites, having lost just the one game for the season. They play a complete team game, boasting a wealth of talent on every line.
It means Koo wee rup will certainly be up against it, especially given the last time they met the Seagulls won by a handy 117 points.
Tooradin-Dalmore to win.
Nar Nar Goon vs Inverloch-Kongwak
Location: Nar Nar Goon Recreation Reserve
Finals have come a week early in this one, when fourth-placed Nar Nar Goon plays host to third-placed Inverloch-Kongwak.
Both sides will be out to make a statement, and maybe even gain a psychological advantage, as they will both know how vital momentum can be leading into a finals series.
And further to that, both teams have had similar years where their best, while great, hasn't been quite enough to challenge the very upper echelon of the competition. So while both will be entering the finals thinking of themselves as solid chances, they appear to be just that step behind the likes of Tooradin-Dalmore and Phillip Island.
It was a 20-point win to the Sea Eagles the last time these two met, as they pulled away late in one of the year's best matches. The home ground advantage will favour the Goon this time though, making this a truly intriguing match-up.
The Goon will be hoping to get plenty of opportunity to Dermott Yawney though, who currently sits two goals clear at the top of the league goalkicking table. A bag here and the award should be his.
Ladder position shouldn't be affected by this result going either way, but the confidence going into the post-season will be vital.
Inverloch-Kongwak's better record should hold them in good stead though, and they'll be going in as favourites here, though not by much.
Korumburra-Bena vs Phillip Island
Location: Korumburra Showgrounds
It's been a truly torrid year for Korumburra-Bena, who will have to finish their year against a team that will give them plenty of reason to fear.
The Giants have been cursed by injury throughout their campaign, but even still the fact remains they have been borderline uncompetitive in many of their games this year. 10 of their 16 losses have been by 50 points or more, five of those being by 100 or more. They've even been held totally goalless on two separate occasions.
It's left little confusion as to why they've sought a potential move to the Ellinbank and District Football League next season.
For their opponents though, the story couldn't be any more different. Phillip Island have enjoyed another excellent year as they look to once again defend their crown. And though they won't be entering the finals as the number one seed, only a fool would discount their chances, particularly as they are the only team to have defeated the top-of-the-table Tooradin-Dalmore.
It means all signs point towards this being another big loss for Korumburra-Bena. The only question remaining is how big.
Warragul Industrials vs Cora Lynn
Location: Western Park
Sixth meets fifth as the Warragul Industrials face the resurgent Cora Lynn in a game that could prove to be a big one going into finals.
The Dusties have already secured their maiden finals berth since moving to the West Gippsland Football Competition, having shown significant improvement every year since their entry. And despite sitting in the lowest finals position, they've proven themselves to be a dangerous team, being one of just two sides to have defeated the mighty Phillip Island.
They've been prone to some inconsistency though, and have struggled at times to reign in some of the high-scoring sides.
For Cora Lynn, their position betrays just how excellent they've been in the back part of the season. After beginning the season at a disastrous 0-5, the Cobras have bounced back in style to win 11 of their past 12 games.
It means that Cora Lynn currently sits as a real wildcard in this year's finals series, as every other side in the top six will be well aware of.
This match shouldn't have too much bearing on ladder position though, as while the Cobras sit just the one win ahead of the Dusties, the percentage gap is quite significant.
Furthering the narrative of this match is Nathan Gardiner, the Cora Lynn spearhead whose form has been symbolic of the team's rise from the ashes. Gardiner, despite having to work his way back from injury early in the year, currently sits second in the league's goalkicking courtesy of a magnificent bag of 13 goals last week. The Dusties will need to keep him relatively quiet to win here, but if they fail a third straight goalkicking award is on the cards for Gardiner.
Both sides have shown some strong footy at their best, but with their current form its hard to go past Cora Lynn here.