By David Nagel
Nar Nar Goon and Devon Meadows will battle it out for the inaugural West Gippsland Football Netball Competition (WGFNC) Veteran’s premiership after comfortable semi-final wins at Bass Recreation Reserve on Sunday.
Nar Nar Goon, undefeated all season, had to weather a second-quarter surge from Phillip Island on its way to a 9.6(60) to 5.7(37) victory, while the Panthers gradually pulled away from a brave Seagulls outfit, winning 7.9(51) to 1.3(9).
The Goon has been the dominant team all season, winning all six games during the home-and-away rounds by a combined margin of 437 points.
Its lowest winning margin was 55 points against Neerim South in the final round of the season, while a 121-point thumping of Warragul Industrials in round three gave everyone in the competition a true indication of who the genuine frontrunners might be.
At quarter time in the semi, leading 4.2 to 0.2, the Goon once again looked set for another easy day at the office.
But, by half time, the Bulldogs had discovered the Goon’s kryptonite, kicking 4.3 to 1.0 in the second term to reduce that 24-point deficit down to three.
Former Nar Nar Goon player Anthony Young lifted against his old side, while Nick Moltzen, Rob Linford and Josh Hill gave the ladder leaders a taste of their own medicine.
The Goon bounced back strongly in the third quarter, kicking 4.2 to 0.1 to take back control of the contest.
Both teams were dour in the final term, with the Bulldogs kicking the only goal of the final stanza to cut the margin to 23 points at the final siren.
Michael Whyte, Ricky Clark, Shannon Stocco and Daniel Galante made solid contributions for the winners, while Nathan Brown produced a typical big-game performance.
Devon Meadows is the only team standing in the Goon’s way after overcoming some early yips in front of goal to win by 42 points.
The Panthers led 0.6 to 0.1 at the first break, and gradually gained the ascendency with a two-goal to none second term.
A grand final place was confirmed in the premiership quarter, with 3.2 to 0.0 for the term leading to a 36-point lead at the final change.
Ryan Hendy and Bob Mackay bagged two each for the Panthers who had Andrew Oldmeadow, Matthew Murray, Ashley Brady, Scott Young and Mitchell Bond in red-hot form around the ground.
Dale Norman booted Tooradin’s only goal, while Shannon Campbell, James Wheeler, Lee Payne, Dale Norman, Shaun Tongue and David Bogunovic never gave up the ghost.
Nar Nar Goon will start a short-priced favourite in the big dance, having defeated the Panthers by 57 in their only hit-out against each other in round two.
SEMI-FINAL 1
NAR NAR GOON (1) 4.2 5.2 9.4 9.6(60)
PHILLIP ISLAND (4) 0.2 4.5 4.6 5.7(37)
Goal kickers and best players not provided.
SEMI-FINAL 2
DEVON MEADOWS (2) 0.6 2.7 5.9 7.9(51)
TOORADIN-DALMORE (3) 0.1 0.3 0.3 1.3(9)
Devon Meadows Goals: Ryan Hendy 2, Robert Mackay 2, Mitchell Bond, Ben Mayers, Matthew Murray. Best: Andrew Oldmeadow, Matthew Murray, Ashley Brady, Scott Young, Robert Mackay, Mitchell Bond.
Tooradin-Dalmore Goals: Dale Norman. Best: Shannon Campbell, James Wheeler, Lee Payne, Dale Norman, Shaun Tongue, David Bogunovic.
GRAND FINAL – Sunday 11 August
Nar Nar Goon v Devon Meadows
(Time and venue to be determined)
