The premiership credentials of three-time reigning champion Inverloch-Kongwak are about to be put to the test after the Sea Eagles won the battle of the seabirds against Tooradin-Dalmore on Saturday.
A lightning-fast 12-3 start to the contest set the home side on the path to victory, with the 41-34 triumph making it seven wins from their last eight starts.
Jarrad Walker and his team currently sit in fourth position on the ladder, but upcoming games against Korumburra-Bena (1st) and Nar Nar Goon (2nd) will give a clearer indication of where the champions sit in the pecking order.
The Sea Eagles were brilliant in the opening term, with goalers Sophia Hughes and Kelly Boyd making the most of the midcourt dominance of Kate French, Ivy Hunter and Macy Newcombe.
Linsey Boddy and Renee Pilkington were also impressive in defence, allowing Tooradin-Dalmore goalers Alex Maher and Jess Hammond just three first-quarter goals.
The Seagulls won the remaining three quarters 31-29…but the damage was already done.
Walker, who will step down at the end of the season, was satisfied with his team’s performance.
“It’s an important win in a very tough three-week run for us, with Tooradin-Dalmore, Korumburra-Bena and Nar Nar Goon all in a row,” he said.
“We’ve done all we can to solidify ourselves inside the top-six and it’s going to set up a huge but exciting task come finals time.”
Walker coached the Sea Eagles to premiership glory in 2022 and ’23, before Liza Burrows coached the team last year.
Winning four on the trot would be ultimate way to sign off.
“It’s my last year at IKFNC having made the decision to step away from the club; so it adds a bit of desire for our group towards the end of the season,” he said.
Cora Lynn has tuned up nicely for this week’s big game against Dalyston with a 48-34 win over Kilcunda-Bass.
The Cobras were never completely dominant, but won all four quarters in a great sign of their consistency and depth across the court.
Defender Annabel Sheppard and midcourters Lauren Bechet and Miley Schade were the only Cobras to play four quarters; with coach Lou Walsh giving all nine players a run.
As for Kilcunda-Bass, well it has now lost six games straight and needs to bounce back to the winners’ list.
The Panthers remaining games against Phillip Island, Kooweerup, Warragul Industrials and Garfield will provide the opportunity to finish the season on a high.
Second-placed Nar Nar Goon has also put in a strong four-quarter performance, defeating Warragul Industrials 49-23 at a windswept Western Park.
Skipper Meaghan Winter made a welcome return for the Goon, while Toni Dart was an able ally for Darcy Utber in the absence of the free-scoring Kyra Esler.
The Goon has the bye this week before a torrid finish against Inverloch-Kongwak, Korumburra-Bena, Tooradin-Dalmore and Cora Lynn!
Get through that impressive lot and the Goon will take great confidence into finals.
In the remaining games, 32 goals to Mackenna Whiteside and 26 to Elisha Nicholas propelled Korumburra-Bena to a 58-23 victory over Kooweerup, while Garfield was no match for a fast-starting Dalyston at Beswick Street.
The Magpies flew out of the blocks, scoring 34-19 in the opening half before the Stars settled down better after the break.
Garfield won the second half 23-22, but the destination of the four premiership points was already a foregone conclusion.
Goaler Bella Schmidt was magnificent in the Giants’ 56-42 success, while Jemima Sheedy, Hannah Finemore and Steph Warburton fought the game out for the Stars.
Phillip Island had the round 15 bye.
RESULTS R15
Warragul Industrials 23 v Nar Nar Goon 49, Cora Lynn 48 v Kilcunda-Bass 34, Inverloch-Kongwak 41 v Tooradin-Dalmore 34, Kooweerup 23 v Korumburra-Bena 58, Garfield 42 v Dalyston 56. Bye: Phillip Island.
LADDER
Korumburra-Bena 56, Nar Nar Goon 52, Cora Lynn 52, Inverloch-Kongwak 48, Dalyston 40, Tooradin-Dalmore 34/ Phillip Island 26, Garfield 18, Kilcunda-Bass 16, Kooweerup 14, Warragul Industrials 4.
FIXTURE R16
Saturday 26 July, 2025
Kilcunda-Bass (9) v Phillip Island (7), Cora Lynn (3) v Dalyston (5), Korumburra-Bena (1) v Inverloch-Kongwak (4), Garfield (8) v Warragul Industrials (11). Byes: Kooweerup, Nar Nar Goon, Tooradin-Dalmore.
