by Nicholas Duck

It's round 17 of the West Gippsland Football Netball Competition, and with finals just around the corner it's now all about positioning as the top six try to improve their chances. Meanwhile, some of the lower teams face off in what may just be their last chance to grab some late-season glory. Here's how this week's games are looking.
Bunyip vs Phillip Island
Location: Bunyip Recreation Reserve
It's the battle of the Bulldogs this week as Bunyip meets Phillip Island.
Bunyip bounced back last week, managing to just barely overcome Kilcunda Bass to exact their revenge against the side that set them on their slide in the second half of the season. And while finals are clearly gone for them, they'll have plenty of pride to play for given the way in which their year has declined.
It's all about building a base for their off-season too, as they clearly have a solid squad but will need an extra push, particularly in the forward line, if they are to challenge for finals next year.
As for Phillip Island, they'll be on cloud nine after becoming the first team to defeat the seemingly indominable Tooradin-Dalmore.
While they're a team that's hardly lacked confidence in years gone by, the fact that they knocked off the Seagulls will have them full of belief that they can retain their title as the king of the competition.
For now though, they just need to get the job done against a side lower on the table and keep a grip on their top two spot, and given they kept Bunyip to one goal the last time they met, one would expect them to do it handily.
Cora Lynn vs Koo wee rup
Location: Cora Lynn Recreation Reserve
There have been some disappointing defeats in the competition this year, but one can hardly imagine any club being as disappointed as Koo wee rup after last week.
After leading by almost six goals late in the final term against the Warragul Industrials, the Demons were then overrun as they fell by two points. The end result undid so much of their good work through the first three quarters, and though their finals chances were very remote beforehand they are now dead and buried thanks to the loss.
They'll be trying to atone this week, but it won't be easy against Cora Lynn.
The Cobras have won 10 of their past 11 games, and though they sit in fifth spot due to their poor start to the season, they'll be a threat to whoever they come up against in finals. Nathan Gardiner is back in full flight, leaving them with one of the most lethal weapons in the entire league
And while Koo wee rup has been solid for much of the year, they've struggled to keep in touch with some of the higher calibre teams this year. Cora Lynn to win.
Garfield vs Dalyston
Location: Garfield Recreation Reserve
This is it for Garfield. Having gone winless up to this point, the Stars have endured one of their toughest seasons to date in their long and proud history. And now they face the similarly struggling Dalyston, at their home ground, for what may just be their best chance in weeks to finally break their drought.
Garfield have been pushed around by just about every other side in the league, and though they've shown glimpses of solid footy at times, their inability to score and to keep the opposition from scoring has led to repeated thrashings.
Their opponents this week have had similar issues, as a positive start to the year has given way to Dalyston falling back into old habits.
The Magpies, like the Stars, have struggled to keep in touch with many of the teams they've faced, and over the past six weeks have all resulted in losses, with the average margin being 74 points.
The last time these sides met Dalyston was inspired to a famous victory thanks to a cameo performance from former-AFL superstar Shaun Burgyone, but away from home and without Burgoyne, the question remains: can they do it again?
This is a tough one to tip, and while Dalyston will enter as slight favourites due to Garfield's horrific record, if the Stars get a sniff of victory there's no telling where this game could end up.
Korumburra-Bena vs Kilcunda Bass
Location: Korumburra Showgrounds
Korumburra-Bena's tour of pain continued last week and hit its rock bottom just for good measure, as the Giants were held to just one behind in an utter trouncing from Nar Nar Goon.
It was a truly disastrous result for the team, in a year that has unfortunately had its fair share of thumping losses. With just one this year, the Giants have been one of the biggest strugglers, and given their percentage is even worse than cellar-dweller Garfield's, the season has been one to forget for their fans.
It's not difficult to see why they're looking at a change of leagues for the 2023 season, something they have in common with their opponents this week in Kilcunda Bass.
The Panthers have had a significantly better season than the Giants, though not without some significant difficulties of their own.
A mid-season four-game winning streak provided some highlights, but outside of that it's been a lean year for the club, who like the Giants are also seeking a move to the Ellinbank and District Football League.
And while both teams have had some rough times, with their current form it's just about impossible to tip the Giants.
Kilcunda Bass to win.
Tooradin-Dalmore vs Nar Nar Goon
Location: Tooradin Recreation Reserve
It must be a strange feeling around the club at Tooradin-Dalmore. After winning their first 15 games of the season, some of their younger players may just be confused at the fact they can, in fact, lose a game.
The Seagulls were simply outmatched last week by Phillip Island, who showed an intense hunger to prove that while they may not be on top of the ladder at the moment, they are by no means out of the premiership race.
Nar Nar Goon, meanwhile, will be feeling rather fresh after flexing their muscles against Korumburra-Bena last round. The Goon were nothing short of brutal, keeping their opponents to just one behind as they romped to a 164-point win.
Still, the Goon will be keenly aware of the fact that while thumping the lower teams has rarely been an issue, they've been found wanting against the top teams. All four of their losses have been to the three sides above them on the ladder, and with finals just weeks away, this would be a great chance to fire a warning shot to the rest of the competition and show that they're not just here to make up the numbers.
Regardless, with the Seagulls playing at their home fortress it is difficult to see them losing two games in a row, though the Goon will certainly be up for the fight.
Warragul Industrials vs Inverloch-Kongwak
Location: Western Park
Fresh off a stunning comeback win last week, the Warragul Industrials will be looking to carry their momentum through to this week's titanic clash with Inverloch-Kongwak.
The Dusties for all intents and purposes looked totally gone at the beginning of the fourth quarter against Koo wee rup where they trailed by just under six goals, before a powerful final term got them over the line in what was one of the games of the season.
For this week though, they can't afford to give their opponents that sort of head start, or else they will almost certainly be made to pay for it.
Inverloch-Kongwak have been one of this year's most fearsome sides, dismissing the teams below them with a ruthless authority. They haven't been able to get the job done against the likes of Phillip Island and Tooradin-Dalmore, but still look primed to finish third on the table at worst.
And given the first week of finals will see third play sixth, there is every chance that these two sides will be meeting again in just a few short weeks, making the psychological battle here all the more important.
The Dusties have shown their best can be great, such as when they defeated Phillip Island, and they'll need to bring that level here if they want a chance, because anything less and it's hard to see the Sea Eagles losing.