Dusties topple Giants
Gaining territory with his kick is Garfield’s Jack Tenace-Greenall on Saturday.
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Torrid conditions couldn't keep Warragul Industrials down on Saturday as they racked up their sixth win of the season over Korumburra-Bena away from home.
The weather gods were not in a kind mood throughout the 9.10 (64) to 4.7 (31) win, throwing just about everything at both sides with wind, rain and mud flying about on a ground that struggled to handle them.
With clean skills and set plays nearly impossible to execute the day became a purely competitive one at the contest – and one that the visitors won handily.
It was a far cry scoreboard-wise from the Dusties 100-point win against the Giants earlier this year.
But there wouldn't be many teams who could have won by triple digits in the chaos of the wintry weather.
Kyle Beveridge led from the front in the middle, crashing in and driving the ball forward for the Dusties no matter the cost.
Mason McGarrity did the proverbial dirty work up forward, kicking four goals to bring his tally over the past two rounds to six, a nice bounce back from a quiet few weeks.
Todd Beck dug in through the midfield, perhaps buoyed by the return of his brother Bailey for his first match since April.
Ben Nichol continued to flourish since his move further up the ground from the backline, the return of Nic Visser from suspension paid dividends and young Cody Templeton – fresh from captaining Vic Country's under 16s side to a championship win – was excellent.
Campbell Gibbons, yet another senior debutant for the Dusties from their under 18s program, also played beyond his years and experience to be a key contributor.
Korumburra-Bena enjoyed strong performances from Zach Walker, Tom Crocker, Mitchell Wightman and the ever-reliable Kye Benson.
With neither team able to get particularly easy looks at goal the Dusties were able to consistently win the ball through the middle better than their lower-ranked opponents.
Things didn't look like going that way early when the home side were able to nail the first two goals of the day in the first term.
Needing a recalibration the Dusties got to work, forcing the footy inside 50 and kicking the final three goals of the quarter to claim the lead.
Coach Michael Duncan would have been especially pleased with their defensive efforts past the first break as his side conceded just two more goals for the day.
Following a relatively even second term it was the third quarter that saw the Dusties drop the hammer and break the Giants' spirits.
Four unanswered goals for the term – and six straight if you include the back end of the second term – put Warragul Industrials up by 40 points at the final change of ends.
In wet weather every goal is worth its weight in gold, making 40 points very much feel like double that if you're trying to chase it down.
The Giants put up a late fight but in the end it was all for naught, succumbing to their 13th loss of the season.
Speaking postgame Michael Duncan said he was quite happy with the win.
"The message before the game was it's just one of those games where skill and talent is irrelevant, it's who wants to compete harder and win the contest," he said.
Duncan especially praised his side's fullteam defence."
"It was one of those days where everybody had to defend which they did, thankfully. I think one quarter they had something like eight more inside 50s and we still won the term which shows we were up for the fight."
Next week will be one to watch when Phillip Island comes to town.
Warragul Industrials have had a few famous battles with the Bulldogs, who have become something of a rival club.
With their current form, however, it's going to take an almighty effort from the Dusties if they want to knock off the visitors.