By David Nagel
Two clubs that have helped lay the platform for the burgeoning success of the West Gippsland Football Netball Competittion (WGFNC) will lock horns at the Cowes Recreation Reserve in the Match of the Day on Saturday.
Phillip Island and Cora Lynn have challenged each other fiercely since the inception of the WGFNC back in 2017.
They played in a thrilling grand final in 2019 – with the Bulldogs prevailing by four points – and have also played out a draw in the 10 meetings between the clubs.
The Bulldogs hold the whip-hand, having won seven and lost two…which includes both teams having a finals win against the other.
These two have consistently been in the thick of the finals action as well, with the Cobras playing 12 games when the stakes at their highest compared to the Bulldogs 10.
Their high-rate of finals appearances has seen Cora Lynn (103) and Phillip Island (101) become the only clubs to have played 100 games in the WGFNC to date.
There’s the history lesson…which we’ll test you on later…but let’s focus now on the big clash between the clubs this weekend.
The Bulldogs – well they’re snarling and barking at the moment like all good Bulldogs should.
Cam Pedersen was almost in a no-win situation, taking over the reins from legendary coach Beau Vernon at the end of a campaign that stretched all the way through to a losing grand final.
Pedersen has taken the challenge on board with the same gusto as he attacks his football each and every weekend…full on, and trying to maximise he and his club’s potential.
The dual league best and fairest winner has blooded some new faces, such as Tully Dickie and Tom Niven, and refreshed the mindset of some of his finest talent.
Skipper Jack Taylor has become one of the most versatile players in the league, while regular defenders Mark Griffin and Daniel Pearce have been seen a little further up the ground.
And Pedersen, well he and his side are benefitting from the secondary ruckwork of Daniel Bourke.
Bourke is unassuming, but come late August, early September, he could become one of the most important players in this year’s finals series.
Desperate to move himself forward against Nar Nar Goon in round four, Pedersen positioned himself at centre-half-forward with Bourke moving to ruck.
The Pedersen move worked wonders…and it’s trick up the sleeve that Pedersen will no doubt use when the big games and biggest prizes are up for grabs.
And what do we make of the Cobras?
Coach Shaun Sparks has done a wonderful job of getting his team to fourth place, with a 6-2 winning record.
The Cobras are also an interesting study when it comes to injuries.
Class acts such as Brady White, Cory Machaya, Luke Black and Jaxon Briggs have spent – or are still spending – significant time on the sidelines, but that has also provided an upside.
Sparks would love to have his players on the park, but the Cobras have also had 13 players play every game this season…the most in the competition.
Yes, he has stars to return, but he still has a core group that is delivering its best on a week-to-week basis.
The Cobras have the talent to challenge the Bulldogs here.
Nathan Gardiner is the best in the business at full forward, while Ryan Gillis and Jai Rout are wonderful big-game performers who will be having trouble sleeping this week.
This is the big stage, a huge home-and-away game of football, when the best get tested against the best.
But while the Cobras are good, it’s Phillip Island that will win this one on the back of Travis Woodfield, Max Blake, Taylor and Pedersen…who all chip in for goals when it’s needed most.
It’s the Bulldogs by 23 points.
In other games this week, Tooradin-Dalmore will make it five wins on the bounce with a comfortable victory over Dalyston; while Inverloch-Kongwak can almost pick the number it wants to win by against Bunyip.
The Bulldogs are showing unbelievable resilience, considering their situation, but this is top v bottom and the margin will be great.
The Sea Eagles like to share, so expect a long-list of goal-kickers in this one.
Nar Nar Goon will need to be careful, but should make it three wins on the trot against Kilcunda-Bass, while Warragul Industrials will be looking for just its second win in five weeks against Garfield.
The Dusties just look like they need a spark and a comfortable victory against the Stars might be just what the doctor ordered.
And Kooweerup is set to break a seven-game losing streak when the Demons make the trip to Korumburra.
Adam Amin and Jason Wells have kicked 18 goals each for the Demons this year, and they’ll both be looking to be well into the twenties by the time 4.30pm comes around on the weekend.
Look for Matt Voss, Mitch Cammarano and Luke McMaster to drive the Demons to a big and drought-breaking victory.
They just might need a cheat sheet to remember the words to the song!
TIPS – Round 9
Dalyston v TOORADIN-DALMORE, INVERLOCH-KONGWAK v Bunyip, Korumburra-Bena v KOOWEERUP, NAR NAR GOON v Kilcunda Bass, PHILLIP ISLAND v Cora Lynn, WARRAGUL INDUSTRIALS v Garfield.