Stratford has made an early statement, knocking off reigning premier, Boisdale Briagolong in round one of the East Gippsland Football Netball League at the Boisdale Recreation Reserve last Saturday.
In a fast free flowing match which would have been a magnificent spectacle on a bigger ground, a late goal from Swans small forward Rod O’Keefe got them home by six points, but only just with the ball deep in the Bomber forward line when the siren sounded.
The Swans had skipped away to a two-goal lead midway through the final term, after the Bombers led by four points at three quarter time, only to be pegged back by Boisdale Briagolong, playing like the good side it is, not prepared to lay down and roll over when there’s still a way.
After an even open term, the Bombers opened up the biggest lead of the match at half time, a very handy 15-point break in match where every goal was important, with Jackson Glenane and Kade Renooy getting plenty of the ball at the coal face.
Stratford certainly weren’t daunted by the deficit, kicking four goals to two in the premiership quarter, with young ruckman Blake Cuttriss instrumental in feeding the
Swans runners like Lachie Channing, Alex Morcom, coach Nathan Pollard and even former coach, Jarryd Clohesy who even ran through the midfield.
Major goal kickers for the winners were Tim Hawkins and the “excitement machine” Jack Bacon both finished with three each, while Ryan Thatcher kicked two.
Matt Wilkinson finished with three goals for the Bombers, as did skipper Jim Reeves,
who had an intriguing battle with Angus Mason, who has returned for the Swans after a season off.
Both helmet hard nuts were not prepared to concede an inch in a great battle, Mason, a quiet achiever, another recruiting coup for Stratford who were busy with the biro and registration form over the summer period.
Tom Jolly and Tim Dessent also booted two goals each, the latter involved in a tackling incident, which has seen the Swans playmaker and reigning competition best and fairest, Channing accept an early plea for a reprimand for what was deemed a dangerous tackle.
Unfortunately that makes Channing ineligible to win the league award this season, in a similar scenario to the one that prevented Lindenow’s Peter Harrison from winning the thirds award a couple of seasons ago.
Best players for the victorious Swans were Mason, Channing, Morcom, Cuttriss, smooth moving left footer Jack Rietschel and Ethan Albrecht who impressed playing at centre half back.
The Bombers got great drive from Glenane, Will Brunt, Patrick Lee, Renooy, Jolly and the massive Wilkinson.
Some pundits were even suggesting pre game that the Bombers could go through the season unbeaten, with that thought quickly taken out of the equation by the Swans victory in a classic local derby.
In round two action on April 26, Stratford is at home to Lindenow who will be keen to come out running after a huge pre-season build up, while Boisdale-Briagolong will head east to tackle Lakes Entrance.
