A heartbreaking finish for Senior Bulldogs

Phillip Island’s Seniors have fallen agonisingly short of a premiership, with Nar Nar Goon claiming the 2026 West Gippsland Football Netball Competition Grand Final by 14 points, 10.9 (69) to 8.7 (55).

Nar Nar Goon started strongly, but Phillip Island quickly worked their way into the contest and by quarter time the Bulldogs had edged ahead 16–14, setting the scene for a close and hard-fought Grand Final.

The second quarter saw Nar Nar Goon regain the advantage, taking a narrow 41–40 lead into the main break.

With just one point separating the sides, the game remained very much up for grabs.

Phillip Island continued to fight hard after half-time and the scores were locked at 48-all at three-quarter time, leaving everything to be decided in the final term.

After such an even contest, it was Nar Nar Goon who found the answers when it mattered most.

They kicked three goals in the final quarter while holding the Bulldogs to seven points, eventually securing the premiership with a 14-point victory.

It was a heartbreaking finish for Phillip Island after a tremendous finals campaign which saw the Bulldogs fight their way through a series of knockout finals just to earn their place on Grand Final day.

While the premiership was not to be, reaching the Grand Final after such a demanding finals campaign was a terrific achievement for the senior side,and a season they can be proud of.

Score: Nar Nar Goon 10.9.69 def Phillip Island 8.7.55.

Best: Cameron Pedersen, Billy Taylor, Finn O’Brien, Daniel Pearce, Jack

Taylor, Jay Ladson.

Goals: Billy Taylor 3, Cameron Pedersen and Finn O’Brien 2, Connor Thompson 1.