by Nicholas Duck
Welcome back one and all.
The West Gippsland Football Netball Competition resumes this week after a bye with plenty on the line.
Garfield vs Korumburra Bena
Garfield welcomes Korumburra Bena as they search for their third win of the season.
It's been an improved year for the Stars, who were up against it for most of 2022.
They've already won more games this season than they did last year, and generally the losing margins have been lessened.
Their next step, as is often the case for a rebuilding side, is learning how to win. And they won't have many better chances than this one.
Korumburra Bena have been embroiled in another disappointing season.
They've lost their last two by margins of 140+ points, and were it not for Bunyip's massive decline this year, there's a good chance they would find themselves on the bottom of the table. The Stars beat the Giants when they met earlier this season, and with home ground advantage will be liking their chances of repeating that result.
They've shown the improvement, now it's time to translate that into a result.
Warragul Industrials vs Inverloch-Kongwak
Fresh off a bye and a three-game winning streak, Warragul Industrials return to the field this week as they stare down the best of the best West Gippsland has to offer.
Following an up-and-down beginning to the season, the Dusties find themselves a game inside the top six heading into the final period of the season.
It's still a tightrope they're walking - it would only take a slip-up or two to send them falling back down into the mess below.
And unfortunately for them, they're going to find winning this week a much bigger challenge than in their last three games.
Inverloch-Kongwak have been setting the pace for the rest of the competition to try to follow this season. They're yet to drop a game this season, and the closest anyone has come is 24 points.
Confidence will be flowing at an all-time high, especially after dismantling reigning premiers Tooradin-Dalmore just before the bye.
They have a full spread of contributors across the board, as players like Ethan Park, Tate Short and Nicholas Batlas are enjoying career-best years in the blue, yellow and white.
The way they're going, it's conceivable that they may pull off a perfect season.
The Dusties will have to be at their best here, and even then it might not be enough.
They'll be aware of the fact that they are yet to defeat a side currently above them on the table, but it should be remembered that it was this exact same round last season where, in a similar position, they pulled off a stunning upset to knock off the mighty Phillip Island.
Let's see if they can do it again.
Bunyip vs Kilcunda Bass
Bunyip's search for a first win continues when they meet Kilcunda Bass.
The Bulldogs have endured a brutal year thus far, but their match against the Panthers in round five certainly wasn't.
They played what was arguably their best game for the year, putting plenty of pressure on in a match that, if not for some errant kicking, they could have won.
That match might leave them with some confidence going into this one, where they will play a team desperate to stay in touch with the top six.
Kilcunda Bass have had some solid games this year, but have been found wanting against the better sides.
Tipsters would favour the Panthers, but with the chances to win so far being few and far between for Bunyip, don't count out an upset.
Other games
Cora Lynn will be out for revenge when they travel to Dalyston.
The Cobras were on the wrong side of a shock upset when they last met the Magpies and will want a win to consolidate their positioning.
Not much has gone right for the Magpies since that game - they've lost six out of seven since, most of which by significant margins.
They'll need to arrest that form to be any chance here.
It's a grand final rematch when Phillip Island plays Tooradin-Dalmore.
Both teams have looked their usual imperious selves at times, but have found themselves behind Inverloch-Kongwak in the pecking order.
The Bulldogs wreaked havoc at the Seagulls' home earlier this year, and no doubt Tooradin-Dalmore will be keen to reciprocate.
A win here will be vital for a top two finish and a guaranteed double chance.
Finally Nar Nar Goon look to go six straight when they play Koo wee rup.
The Goon have hit their stride after an indifferent start to the season, and look difficult to stop right now.
The Demons are on their own two-gam winning streak, but will find things much more difficult against a team looking to be around at the pointy end of the year.