West Gippsland FNL: Nathan Gardiner and Julian Suarez boot their 100th goals

Two West Gippsland goal gurus sparked pandemonium by booting their 100th goals on Saturday, with one quipping the delay in play gave him “a bit of a breather’’.

Nathan Gardiner holds the 101 sign as he celebrates his 100-goal milestone with his Cora Lynn teammates. Picture: Facebook

Two West Gippsland superboots have brought up the ton before finals.

Cora Lynn vice-captain Nathan Gardiner and popular Tooradin-Dalmore stalwart Julian Suarez kicked their 100th goals in the last round on Saturday.

Here are their stories:

Julian Suarez was stunned by what happened in the moments after slotting his 100th goal of the season for Tooradin-Dalmore’s reserves against Dalyston on Saturday.

About “70 or 80’’ people invaded the ground to congratulate the 36-year-old — and among the throng was most of the club’s senior players.

“I didn’t expect everyone to bolt on but it was good,’’ Suarez said.

“It was a different feeling…I looked up and I had about five or six teammates on me and then it was just a big ball of people. It killed about five minutes, so I got a bit of a breather.’’

Julian Suarez is only the second player in TDFC history to hit the 100-goal milestone. Picture: Facebook

One of the most in-form spearheads in local footy, Suarez charged to the ton.

After kicking bags of 11 and 14 in his previous two games, he needed six on Saturday which he duly polished off by halfway through the second quarter.

Suarez had eight by half-time and finished the game with 10.

Not bad by a humble man who described his kicking for goal in his early days as “a bit shonky’’.

“But we worked on that,’’ he said.

Suarez, who became only the second player in TDFC history to hit the 100-goal milestone, has been a star at Tooradin-Dalmore since joining the Seagulls from Aberfeldie in the Essendon District league in 2012.

He’s a club senior best and fairest winner and played a leading role in the Gulls’ senior flag win in 2022 when he kicked five goals in the grand final.

Tooradin-Dalmore coach and longtime teammate Jordan Kelly said Suarez was “the best mark I’ve ever seen’’.

“You think he’s been beaten and then he comes out with it…and then he’s having another shot at goal. It’s insane,’’ Kelly said.

“I’ve been pretty lucky to play with Jules for 10 years, he’s a star.’’

Kelly added: “He’s the heartbeat of the club, Jules. He’s the ultimate clubman, been around the joint for 10 years. When he first came to the club he came from Aberfeldie and he wouldn’t miss training, he’d drive down both nights. He never, ever misses training.’’

Nathan Gardiner kicks his 100th goal. Picture: Facebook

Cora Lynn champion Nathan Gardiner reached his second successive century of goals when he booted three against Kilcunda Bass on Saturday.

Cobras co-coach Shaun Sparks said Gardiner’s work ethic was behind his success.

“He doesn’t miss training,” he said.

“It’s very rare for these big full forwards, they get pretty sore, some only train one night a week with all the contests they take on Saturdays.

“But he trains week in, week out and is giving 100 per cent on the track most nights.

“His ability to compete is a glaring factor as to why he’s one of those special full forwards.”

Fans swamp Nathan Gardiner after he kicked his 100th goal. Picture: Facebook

Gardiner was swamped by well-wishers after slotting his second goal after going into the game on 98.

“The crowd loved it, he kicked his first in the space of a minute and then I think he missed a couple of set shots,’’ Sparks said.

“But when it did happen it was a major celebration, everyone running out on the ground, it was a special day at Cora Lynn, that’s for sure.

“He did it away last year so I think this was more special than the first, I reckon.”

Both Suarez and Gardiner will chase premiership success in the coming month.