By David Nagel
It’s a sad fact of football – that the deeper and deeper you go the more and more it hurts – but Warragul Industrials and Nar Nar Goon will be happy to pay that price when they collide in a bumper first semi-final at Bass on Sunday.
After week one of finals, it wouldn’t surprise to see the winner of this week’s contest fronting up on grand final day at Kooweerup on Saturday 16 September.
The Dusties were heroically resilient and brave against reigning premiers Tooradin, while that trait wasn’t required for the Goon who put on a masterclass from the outset against Cora Lynn.
They were both so impressive in their own ways…the Dusties with their will to fight, and the Goon with its seamless transition of the football.
Goon coach Justin Stanton passed his biggest test at the club last week, with the win over the Cobras rubber-stamping improvement in his first season at the club.
The Goon looked organised and composed; with Jake Blackwood, JJ Peni, James Cairns and Riley Murphy offering different strengths down back, while Stanton has some real fire-power at his disposal up forward.
Dermott Yawney will play with freedom this week after releasing the shackles in week one, while Deon Boavida and Troy McDermott don’t need a Melways (one for the old-timers) to know where the big-sticks are.
But Stanton knows his team faces a tough assignment on the weekend.
“Watching them (Dusties) yesterday I couldn’t be more impressed, they were fantastic,” he said.
“To be five goals to one down, and then wrestle back the momentum, I thought they were terrific.
“We will have to be at our absolute best to be able to match them.
“We only played them once this year and it was an arm-wrestle for three-and-a-half quarters.
“We expect this is going to be a really difficult game this week.”
Harmit Singh was equally respectful of the challenge, but wants to focus on what his team can bring to the table.
“From our perspective, what we can control is what we put out, regardless of the opposition,” Singh said.
“There are still some things from today that we can keep chipping away at, but we’ll concentrate on us, we know what we’re going to bring, but as long as we stay connected, we’ll put out an honest account of ourselves for sure.”
The Dusties are hopeful of playing Josh Eyre this weekend, a Collingwood VFL listed player who has the ability to turn this game on its head.
There are one or two hurdles to overcome, but if Eyre takes the field either the key backs or key forwards of the Goon will know he’s about.
MATCH-UPS IN 2023
ROUND 7 AT WARRAGUL
WARRAGUL INDUSTRIALS 1.1 3.2 4.2 8.4(52)
NAR NAR GOON 2.2 3.6 8.8 12.11(83)
HEAD-TO-HEAD IN WGFNC 2017-2023
Warragul Industrials 1
Nar Nar Goon 4
KEY PLAYERS
Warragul Industrials
Kyle Beveridge – Forward-Mid
As predicted, the Dusties win last week came down to big moments and no-one produced better than the classy left-footer. Beveridge came in to the finals series in great form, booting 10 against Garfield in round 18, but his three goals against Tooradin last week were right from the top shelf. A long shot on the breeze and dribble kick from the boundary were special in the second term, while his left-foot snap at the 20-minute mark of the last was the sealer. If the Goon puts too much focus into McGarrity…this bloke could pop up and kill you!
Nic Visser – Inside Mid
Nar Nar Goon may have won the inside battle last week, but in Nic Visser they face the next level, an absolute bull at the contest. The Goon looked slick with its ball movement against Cora Lynn, but were allowed to do so given the dominance of its midfield brigade. Visser led the Dusties to a 14-7 win at the stoppages in the second quarter against Tooradin, and along with ruck Mark Bradley was right in the thick of the action…he was crucially important. Not only puts pressure on at the contest, but will play forward at times…kicking goals in four of his last five games.
Todd Beck – Wing-Sweeper
No-one at Warragul Industrials sacrifices his own game for the betterment of the team more than Todd Beck. Michael Debenham might not agree, but his fellow winger Beck plays a hugely important role for his footy club. The Dusties roll up a half-forward up to wing, allowing Beck to play a kick behind the game and become a security blanket that picks up any loose ball or players. Can run hard from that position, often unattended, and generates plenty of drive from half back or deep in defence.
Nar Nar Goon
Trent Armour – Midfield
Follow me boys…all the way to a preliminary final. Already one of the best and most respected players in the WGFNC, Armour has missed six games of footy this year but his impact has been enormous. With Brendan Hermann going down with a back-complaint in round seven…Armour lost his partner in crime…but has taken on the challenge and ran with it. Was magnificent with his fight and will-to-win against Cora Lynn last week, and along with veteran Brent Hughes is leading a young midfield by example. Armour and Visser fighting for a footy…now that’s mouth-watering!
Jarrod Smith – Forward
The former Narre Warren star played in a premiership with the Magpies last year, and looks ready to explode on the big stage. He didn’t hit the scoreboard himself against Cora Lynn last week, but his lowering of the eyes, and ability to hit the short kick, set up several opportunities for his teammates. If you’re in the right position…Smith will find you! His ability to find options will be critical against a very-well organised Dusties defensive unit. Missed rounds 17 and 18 and has now had one week back…he will be ready to fire!
Nate Pipicelli – Ruck
What an extraordinary job this young fella has done since taking over the number-one ruck duties in round 11 this year. Billy Thomas one week, Mark Bradley the next…it’s like a crash-course in ruck-craft for the developing star. Pipicelli moves well, and will have the edge on Bradley there, but it’s how he limits his experienced opponent from dominating at the stoppages that could be his lasting legacy. Bradley didn’t play against the Goon in round seven, so it will be intriguing to see how the two rucks measure up at the opening centre bounce.
THE TIP
This one is almost impossible to predict, they were equally impressive in week one of finals. The Goon is playing exquisite football at the moment, the type of football that could see it through to a grand final…but if one team can take away its mojo it’s the Dusties. It’s time to stop procrastinating…it’s the Goon to win by 11 points.
