The West Gippsland Football Netball Competition gets underway tomorrow, with the community absolutely eager to welcome back local sport. Country football is back, and with a full, uninterrupted season on the cards the players will be hoping to put on a good performance in front of their loyal fans. Here's how round one is shaping up:
Saturday April 2nd
Kilcunda Bass vs Tooradin-Dalmore
Time: 2:20pm
Location: Bass Recreation Reserve
There are a few big games to open the 2022 season, with Kilcunda Bass playing host to Tooradin-Dalmore first up. After a limited albeit promising three win season in 2021 Kilcunda Bass will be keen to get their season off to the best possible start in front of their eager home fans. Tooradin-Dalmore, meanwhile, will be looking to start the season where they left off, having been one of the top contenders in 2021 before the abrupt end to the season. Tooradin-Dalmore will be boosted by their heavy off-season recruiting spree that included players such as ex-Collingwood premiership player Brent Macaffer.
Korumburra-Bena vs Inverloch-Kongwak
Time: 2:20pm
Location: Korumburra Showgrounds
Korumburra-Bena will welcome back their fans with a tough round one assignment against premiership-hopefuls Inverloch-Kongwak. The Giants will be wanting to make a show in their first game, having endured a tough 2021 campaign that yielded just the two wins. Meanwhile, Inverloch-Kongwak will be keen to stamp their premiership credentials, having been one of the top contenders last season before the shutdown. Neither team were too active in the off-season, instead backing their respective squads to continue their natural growth and improvement. Expect both sides to put their all into this one after such a long time without competitive football.
Nar Nar Goon vs Bunyip
Time: 2:20pm
Location: Garfield Recreation Reserve
Two of the up-and-coming sides in the WGFNC, both sides will be looking to show just how much they've improved in the off-season. Nar Nar Goon established themselves as a strong side in 2021, seemingly destined to break their finals duck, and will be extremely eager to begin the new season in similar fashion. Bunyip, on the other hand, will be sporting a new-look squad featuring the likes of 2021 Garfield best and fairest Daniel Helmore as well as a number of new recruits that that club are hoping can have an immediate impact on the club's fortunes. Fans should note that while this game is a Nar Nar Goon home game, the club's home ground is currently undergoing renovations and as such this match will be instead take place at the Garfield Recreation Reserve.
Warragul Industrials vs Garfield
Time: 4:00pm
Location: Western Park
A battle between two of the busier clubs in the off-season promises to be an intriguing match-up that will be difficult to predict. Both sides have recruited extensively over the season break, leaving them with significantly different sides compared to their last competitive games. The Dusties have brought in nine players, all of which are expected to play strongly in the side's best 22 as they look to improve both the speed of their ball movement as well as their contested ball capabilities. The Dusties will also be keen to win for their milestone players, Shane Brewster, who plays his 350th senior game, Similarly, Garfield will be bolstered by a number of new recruits, such as skilled wingman Ryan Smith from Catani and Pakenham utility Jake Thomas. Additionally, the new-look Stars will be looking to impress new head coach Paul Carbis, a former VFL Development League coach fresh off a successful stint coaching Leongatha. Look for both teams to be playing new brands as they try to start the 2022 season on the right foot.
Koo Wee Rup vs Dalyston
Time: 7:00pm
Location: Koo Wee Rup Recreation Reserve
The two bottom placed teams from the 2021 season, both sides will be very eager to start the new season on a positive note. Koo Wee Rup's young list will be helped by another year of development, while the recruitment of Kilcunda Bass' Jake Smith as well as EFL midfielder Cosimo Anagnostou should provide some strong on-field leadership for the Demons. Dalyston will be looking to put the horrors of 2021 behind them with a new-look forward line featuring recruit Adam Amin, who kicked over 270 goals over his last five years in the EFNL. This game promises to be an interesting one, as both sides look to get their new campaigns started with a win.
Sunday April 3rd
Cora Lynn vs Phillip Island
Time: 2:20pm
Location: Cora Lynn Recreation Reserve
Two of the league heavyweights clash in what seems to be on paper a blockbuster match-up. Cora Lynn have historically been one of the stronger clubs in the competition, featuring the likes of two-time WGFNC leading goalkicker Nathan Gardiner in their forward line. They will be further strengthened by the recruitment of players such as James Munro and Cory Machaya, both of whom have played significant time for the Casey Demons in the VFL. The Cobras will, however, be facing the toughest assignment in the WGFNC in their round one match, against the likes of Phillip Island. Phillip Island enters the 2022 season as strong premiership favourites, being the two-time reigning premiers and having finished 2021 top of the ladder prior to the shutdown. Boasting a deep list that includes 2021 league best and fairest Cam Pedersen, expect Phillip Island to be keen to make up for lost time and start their season strongly as they look to finally finish their threepeat.