Noosh’s dream sinks Dusties

Another perfect spring Saturday beckoned, as the Phillip Island faithful made the welcome small trek to Dalyston for the senior’s preliminary final.

Coming up against the vastly improved Warragul Industrials, who had dispatched Inverloch-Kongwak and Cora Lynn in previous finals, coached by Harmit Singh, presented a huge challenge for the Bulldogs.

It was to be a drama-filled afternoon.

In the finish, it took four quarters of football, and two periods of drama-filled extra time, for Phillip Island to climb off the canvas and qualify for the West Gippsland Grand Final.

It all came down to 18-year-old Orlando Kane-Gillard’s after the siren effort for the Bulldogs to snatch the most amazing of victories by two points over the broken-hearted Dusties.

After an exceptionally even first half with the Dusties leading by three at the major break, the second half started with the Bulldogs gaining the ascendency.

Goals to Jesse Patullo and Zac Vernon (his second) as well as a poster by Jack Taylor resulted from the mid field finally able to get on top.

Cam Pedersen and Zak Vernon were tireless, as well as Jason Tomada and Kai McKenzie outstanding in defence.

Trailing by nine points at three-quarter time, it took the Dusties defenders – Luke Walker and Matt Herbert – to finally break through the Bulldogs’ defence.

Goals were answered by Bulldogs forward Jesse Patullo kicking his second for the day, with the Bulldogs leading by a point with just 39 seconds left on the clock.

Dusties winger Bailey Beck had the chance to snatch victory, but his left-foot snap sailed through for a point, leaving scores tied after regulation time.

Confusion reigned-supreme for both camps and the umpires, with coaches Beau Vernon and Harmit Singh entering and leaving the field on multiple occasions before both coaches were allowed to address their teams ahead of extra-time.

It was finally confirmed  two x five minute ‘halves’ would be played, with time-on!

A rushed behind to the Dusties was the only score in the first period of extra time, and a goal to Mason McGarrity, two minutes into the second period, appeared to have the Dusties destined for a magnificent Grand Final appearance after working their way through from sixth place.

Phillip Island star Cam Pedersen then won a stoppage clearance on wing/half-forward, with the ball finding itself in the arms of Kai McKenzie, who shanked his forward-50 entry.

The Sherrin tumbled end over end and onto the waiting chest of Orlando (Noosh) Kane-Gillard, who marked with six minutes and 41 seconds on the clock, as it turned out no more than four seconds before the siren sounded.

As he had almost certainly dreamed of many, many times with his team four points behind and with their season resting on the 40-metre kick, it was all up to Noosh.

A perfectly struck set shot sailed inches over the Dusties desperate defence, triggering Grand Final-like scenes as Bulldogs fans rushed the ground. Boyhood dreams fulfilled.

After all his years in coaching, Bulldogs leader Beau Vernon remarked, “I’ve never experienced anything like that … it was almost unbelievable what took place.”

Phillip Island now take on Tooradin-Dalmore in the WGFNC grand final next Saturday at Garfield.

Scores:
Phillip Island: 2.5.17, 3.6.24, 5.8.38, 7.12.54. Warragul Industrials: 3.1.19, 4.3.27, 4.5.29, 7.10.52.

Goals:
Phillip Island: Zak Vernon 2, Jesse Patullo 2, Orlando Kane-Gillard, Max Blake, and Billy Taylor.
Warragul Industrials: Mason McGarrity 2, Anthony Bruhn, Jackson Mockett, Nic Visser, Luke Walker, and Matthew Herbert.

Best Players:
Phillip Island: Orlando Kane-Gillard, Kai Mackenzie, Billy Taylor, Jason Tomada, Zak Vernon, and Jesse Patullo.
Warragul Industrials: Mark Bradley, Kane Oldham, Michael Debenham, Kyle Beveridge, Todd Beck, and Luke Walker.