Boisdale Briagolong annihilated an undermanned Paynesville by a staggering 265 points at the Cabbage Patch last Saturday in round three of the East Gippsland Football Netball League (EGFNL).
The Bombers were relentless, kicking 24 goals in the first half, only going below 10 goals in a quarter once for the afternoon – during the
final stanza – when the Gulls played their best football kicking two of their own. They still conceded nine.
Boisdale looks in ominous form with new co-coach Kade Rennoy and the ageless Kelvin Porter ruthless through the middle of ground, making life for forwards Luke Pratt (seven goals), skipper Jimmy Reeves (six) and Brandon Rimington (six) heaven.
Pratt has made a resurgence in the opening rounds after several seasons in the football wilderness. On song he is a clever forward pocket and a perfect foil for Reeves.
For the second straight week they got a solid contribution of three goals from former Stratford reserves player Reiley Rhodes, while the
onballers didn’t always pass, with Rennoy, Porter giant ruckman Matt Wilkson and the elusive Tom Jolly finishing the game with three majors each.
As good as the performance was from Boisdale Briagolong, the real story from the match is the sad state of affairs at Paynesville.
Successful Omeo and District Football Netball Club premiership coach, David Westland, who tasted success at Bruthen and Swifts Creek, has had a baptism of fire at EGFNL level, also humbled by 199 (Orbost Snowy Rovers) and 155 points (Lucknow) in the opening two rounds.
Numbers weren’t great last Saturday, due to injury and unavailability and one suspects questionable morale.
Sadly the reserves have also been outclassed in the initial three rounds by 174, 178 and 242 points.
There is some thought locally that the Gulls should have been given further relief pre-season in the player points department.
Best players for the Bombers were Porter, Renooy, Pratt, Rimington, Reeves and Jolly, while Joshua Carroll, Harry Gibbs, Jordan Farquhar, Cody Miller, Bryce Riches and Jack Maye all tried hard for Gulls who obviously were short on winners.
Paynesville will welcome another side looking for their first victory this Saturday to AJ Freeman Reserve – Lakes Entrance – both sides keen to make a positive statement after starting the season without a valuable victory.
Westland is under no illusion that he is up against it, but expects to see a few significant inclusions this week which will hopefully improve output.
“We have around 12 players back this week over the two grades, confident we will field
our best side for the season, optimistic we can take the match right up to Lakes Entrance,” Westland said.
Boisdale-Briagolong will enjoy a bye before making the trip east to tackle Wy Yung in round five.
