by Nicholas Duck
A top two blockbuster and a battle between two finals contenders will have major ramifications on the top five this week in another exciting round of footy in the West Gippsland Football Competition. Here's how this week's matches are shaping up.
Saturday June 4
2pm start for all matches
Tooradin-Dalmore vs Phillip Island
Location: Tooradin Recreation Reserve
Without any doubt this is the match of the round as the top two face off in a game that will surely decide who goes into the second half of the season as premiership favourites.
While both teams are currently undefeated, Tooradin-Dalmore enters this match on top of the ladder in large part thanks to their incredible firepower in the forward line.
With players like Stewart Scanlon, Blake Grewar and Brad Butler, the Seagulls are blessed with a multitude of players all fully capable of kicking multiple goals in any given week, and in fact in most of their games it's been someone completely different doing the damage on the scoreboard.
It's meant that, especially against some of the lower sides with weaker defences, the Seagulls have often had the capacity to completely overwhelm their opponents with a barrage of goals.
Even then, they are hardly slack in the backline either where the most goals they've conceded this year was eight, and given the fewest they've scored themselves was 13 it's made them an extremely difficult team to beat.
Still, if there's any team built to do it it's Phillip Island.
The Bulldogs have been the kings of the competition for years now and look every bit the champions we remember this year.
With a team that includes the likes of reigning league best and fairest Cameron Pedersen, star forward Zak Vernon and inspirational captain Jaymie Youle the Doggies haven't tasted defeat since 2019.
They've admittedly been challenged this year in a couple of games, but as the truly great teams do they've responded and found another gear to get over the line every time.
With that sort of record it's nearly impossible to tip against them, but if any side can overcome them it's looking like Tooradin-Dalmore can, particularly at home.
Either way, this should be a cracking game.
Warragul Industrials vs Koo wee rup
Location: Western Park
As the race for the fifth place intensifies, this will be a game that will go a long way towards deciding just who will still be in contention going into the second half of the season.
The Dusties are the team that currently has a grip on the spot, and given that Koo wee rup is just four points behind them on the ladder they will see this as a chance to find some breathing space.
They were made to work for their win last week against Dalyston, who showed a lot more fight than may have been initially expected.
Still, the Dusties showed the gulf in class between the two sides in a final term blitz that allowed them to escape unscathed.
It means Warragul has won four of their last five games, and many would argue that their one loss against Nar Nar Goon should have been a win given the position they were in.
All of this is boding well for the Dusties, who showed some inconsistencies in their defensive application during the first period of the season but seem to have tightened up immensely over their last five games.
Koo wee rup, meanwhile, come into this game with some strong form of their own, having won three of their last four matches.
Even in their one loss, against Phillip Island, they pushed the reigning premiers hard for the better part of three quarters to show that despite the relative youth of their rebuilding squad that their best can be quite formidable.
Still, it must be remembered that earlier in the season the Demons struggled when their matches weren't played on their terms, leading to them having quite a weak percentage compared to some of the sides around them on the ladder.
It means that if they want to claim that fifth spot, they either need to rely purely on winning enough games to see themselves clear or that they need some big wins to build their percentage back up to a competitive level.
Some games are referred to as eight point matches, and this one certainly looks to be one of those given its importance to both teams' ladder positions.
Based on form Warragul should still have enough firepower to win this one, but expect Koo wee rup to show some fight.
Cora Lynn vs Dalyston
Location: Cora Lynn Recreation Reserve
Cora Lynn's season has found new life in recent weeks after winning three in a row, and they'll be keen to make it four in a row against Dalyston.
Following a disastrous start to their campaign that saw them lose their first five games, the Cobras have bounced back in a big way by thumping three of the league's bottom sides.
Star full-forward Nathan Gardiner, who holds the title of two-time leading league goalkicker, has been a major catalyst in his side's form, as he had kicked 20 goals in the last three weeks alone after managing just two in his first three games back from injury.
It's meant that Cora Lynn, who at times looked impotent in some of their first few matches, suddenly look to be a serious threat to most teams in the competition.
It's true that their opponents in recent weeks haven't been much to write home about, but it's the way the Cobras have gone about it that would have them still excited about what this season can bring.
All of this spells trouble for their opponents this week, who haven't had nearly as much cause for optimism as the year has progressed.
Dalyston fought admirably last round against the Dusties, keeping up with them for much of the game before succumbing to a final quarter barrage.
It was the first time in a while that the Magpies have shown that amount of fight, as their four matches prior all saw them be absolutely crushed by some of the competition's best.
Without recruit Adam Amin on the field Dalyston have struggled to find a consistent goalkicker in the vein of their opponent's star forward, and their relatively low scores have reflected this.
Cora Lynn should win this one and win it comfortably.
Garfield vs Inverloch-Kongwak
Location: Garfield Recreation Reserve
It's been a season of pain without a whole lot of gain for Garfield, who continue their search for their first win against Inverloch-Kongwak this week.
With a massive list turnover from last year, the Stars' new-look squad just haven't quite meshed as of yet, particularly in the forward half.
In their eight games thus far they've been held to five goals or fewer in six of them as they just lack the tools necessary to post larger scores, especially against the stronger teams.
Defence has also been an issue, as Garfield has held their opponents under 100 points just twice, and one of those games was still a 51-point loss.
Neither of these have presented the same kinds of problems for Inverloch-Kongwak, who will have their sights set firmly on inflicting more pain for Garfield.
The Sea Eagles are a side that shows little mercy to the teams below them on the ladder, consistently winning these kinds of games by 50 points or more.
They've been found wanting in their two matches against the top sides this year, which may lead some to consider them the flat-track bullies of the league.
Still, if they aren't going to beat the top sides it's important they keep ticking off the wins in the games they should be winning, and in this one they'll definitely be smelling blood in the water.
Inverloch-Kongwak to win, and win well.
Kilcunda Bass vs Bunyip
Location: Bass Recreation Reserve
Bunyip currently find themselves in a fight for the top five, and they'll be needing a win in this week's match-up against Kilcunda Bass to stay in touch.
The Bulldogs wouldn't have been happy with their display last week where they were thoroughly outclassed by Tooradin-Dalmore and as a result lost fifth spot to the Warragul Industrials.
The top four of the league appear to be pretty solid at the moment, meaning the fight for fifth is well and truly on, with Bunyip being one of three or four teams in contention.
It means that games like these against the Panthers become non-negotiables.
Kilcunda Bass find themselves second last on the table and seemingly bereft of confidence, particularly after their disastrous last three weeks.
Over their past three matches they've been beaten by an average margin of just under 100 points, and have never looked like a realistic chance in any of them.
Too much is just often left to too few for the Panthers, whose best players looks near identical from week to week.
The spread of talent just isn't there, and as the season appears to be getting tougher and tougher for them each game.
As it stands Bunyip are as close to a mid-table side the competition has, but if they want to stay in the hunt for that coveted final spot in the top five this is a game they just have to win.
Bunyip will be deserved favourites in this game, and should return home with the four points.
Korumburra-Bena vs Nar Nar Goon
Location: Korumburra Showgrounds
Nar Nar Goon's undefeated streak finally came to an end last week against Phillip Island, and they will be looking to bounce back in a major way this week against Korumburra-Bena.
The Goon were hardly embarrassed against the competition's measuring stick, but came unstuck after allowing them to build an early lead that proved impossible to reel back in.
The deep forward line that is normally Nar Nar Goon's point of difference performed reasonably, but the midfield power of Phillip Island was too much to handle.
While the Goon's season is still looking bright and healthy, it may prove to be something of a reality check for a side that admittedly had a few easy kills in their aforementioned streak.
Still, if they are looking to rebound from their first loss quickly, this week's opponent will certainly provide a golden opportunity.
Korumburra-Bena's season hasn't been much to write home about, as the Giants have repeatedly given little resistance in many of their games.
In fairness, injuries and sickness have ensured the Giants have rarely been able to put out a team resembling their best, but the magnitude of some of their losses would still be a great cause for concern.
Last week was a much more positive performance from the team in their 27-point loss to Koo wee rup, where Paul Fermanis starred with five goals.
However, it should be noted that while this was a much more competitive game than some of Korumburra-Bena's prior ones, had Koo wee rup been more accurate with their goalkicking it could have turned out much uglier.
The final scoreboard showing 15 scoring shots to 27 just isn't a sustainable model for the Giants, who will need to find some spark in defence this week if they want to contain the likes of Dermott Yawney and Troy McDermott and give themselves some hope of winning this one.
Nar Nar Goon should enjoy a big win here, and will be keeping a close eye on Tooradin-Dalmore vs Phillip Island to see if they can overtake the loser on the ladder and reclaim second spot.