by Nicholas Duck
There are just three rounds remaining in the West Gippsland Football Netball Competition, and it's the best against the rest as four of the top six play teams outside the top six. That is, except for the two very top sides, who will face off for a second time this season in what looms as a potential grand final preview. Here's how this week is looking.
Bunyip vs Kilcunda Bass
Location: Bunyip Recreation Reserve
With finals now out of the question for Bunyip, it's all about pride this week as they seek some good old fashioned revenge against Kilcunda Bass.
When these two teams last met back in round nine, the Panthers sprung a trap on the Bulldogs, winning that clash by 42 points in what was, at the time, a rather surprising result. Since then, Bunyip's season has hit the skids, leaving them in the position they find themselves in now.
The Bulldogs have had no troubles knocking off the sides below them, but against the sides around and above them their scoring ability has tended to stall. From here, it's about building a platform for next year where they'll look to rectify the mistakes of this year.
For the Panthers, with a potential move to a different league still on the cards, they'll be wanting to finish what may be their last season in the competition in style.
Still, with a home ground advantage Bunyip should be up to the task here and make up for the events of last time.
Dalyston vs Cora Lynn
Location: Dalyston Recreation Reserve
It's a stunning thing to think about that back at the end of round five, Dalyston actually sat above Cora Lynn on the ladder. Not by much, mind you, but with the Cobras going winless in their first five games it meant the lowly Magpies were in a superior position.
It's been a bit of a different story since then though, as Cora Lynn is now poised to make an impact in finals, while Dalyston has managed just one more win for the year.
And with the two teams meeting this week, the Cobras will be looking to continue their great form, having won nine of their past 10 games.
When they last met earlier this year, the Cobras were relentless and merciless, putting the Magpies to the sword to win by 97 points,
And given Dalyson has been susceptible to more than one thrashing in recent times, it's hard to see any other result than Cora Lynn continuing on their merry way.
Cobras to win.
Inverloch-Kongwak vs Garfield
Location: Inverloch Recreation Reserve
Garfield continue to search for their first win of the year, this time making one of the most difficult trips in the competition to face the mighty Inverloch-Kongwak.
It's been a rather torrid season for the Stars, whose relatively long period of success on the field has come to a turbulent end this year. Having been forced into playing a much younger side due to a senior exodus before the year, it's not difficult to see how this has happened, but with a totally winless season now appearing the most likely outcome it's become a dire year.
And things aren't any easier this year, as they now have to face Inverloch-Kongwak, a team that has thrived on making short work of their poorer opponents.
The Sea Eagles may not have a great record against the very best of the league, but against a side like Garfield? Their wealth of talent comes to the fore and will present a great challenge if the Stars hope to claim the most unlikely of victories.
Inverloch-Kongwak should be winning this one, and winning it well.
Koo wee rup vs Warragul Industrials
Location: Koo wee rup Recreation Reserve
The Dusties will be looking to bounce back this week against Koo wee rup.
Going into their clash with Nar Nar Goon last round the Dusties would have been high on confidence, and though they were hardly embarrassed their inability to take their chances would have been greatly disappointing, as it led to their eventual downfall.
Still, with a finals spot secured they still have an opportunity to not only build some momentum but to press their case for a higher finish, and it all begins this week against Koo wee rup.
The Demons are realistically the last team left outside the top six that could potentially break in, though their chances are extremely slim. They would have to win every game from now and hope a number of unlikely results go their way.
Regardless, they can get the ball rolling if they can knock off the Dusties here.
The last meeting between the two sides was a relatively close affair, with Warragul managing to hold on for a 10-point win. Demons spearhead Jason Wells booted six that day to nearly snatch victory away from the Dusties, and they'll be looking to blunt his influence if they want an easier time this week.
The Demons have proved they can be a tough side to crack, but with their superior experience the Warragul Industrials should get it done here.
Nar Nar Goon vs Korumburra-Bena
Location: Nar Nar Goon Recreation Reserve
After seeing off a challenger for their position last week, attention now turns to what is on paper a much simpler game for Nar Nar Goon.
The Goon would have been quite pleased to knock off the Dusties for a second time last week, and as a result now look unlikely to finish any lower than fourth. They'll want to keep pressing for a higher finish though, and will be licking their lips at the prospect of playing Korumburra-Bena.
It's been an extremely difficult year for the Giants, who are now looking to change leagues at the end of the season.
They've been utterly destroyed on many occasions, and have at times appeared borderline uncompetitive at times.
And against the destructive forwards the Goon boasts, such as league leading goalkicker Dermott Yawney, that spells trouble for the visitors.
Nar Nar Goon won the last clash between the two sides by a whopping 124 points, and will be looking like a strong chance to cause some similar damage this week.
Phillip Island vs Tooradin-Dalmore
Location: Cowes Recreation Reserve
This one looms not just as the game of the round, but as the potential game of the season in what looks to be a grand final preview.
The top two teams clash once again, where Phillip Island hope to change the narrative at their home fortress in Cowes. The Bulldogs have once again been one of the benchmark sides in the competition, but have been usurped in many fans' eyes by the might of Tooradin-Dalmore.
In fact, when these sides last met, Phillip Island's normally devastating forward line was kept to a paltry three goals for the day as the Seagulls ran riot to establish themselves as the clear number one seed.
Tooradin-Dalmore's remained in that position too, having gone through the season to this point totally undefeated. In fact, the closest any team has come to them was 32 points, displaying the gap currently between the Seagulls and every other team.
Playing on Phillip Island's home turf is a whole other game though, as the Bulldogs have lost just once at home since the beginning of 2019.
These two boast the most talented lists the West Gippsland Football Netball Competition have to offer, and fans should expect a much better response from Phillip Island this time.
And if the Bulldogs can't get the job done here, on their home deck, then fans all around the league will be left wondering if anyone can stop Tooradin-Dalmore's march to the flag.