Orbost Snowy Rovers consolidated its place in the top four with a hard fought win at home against Lindenow last Saturday in round three of the East Gippsland Football Netball League.
Interestingly the Cats travelled east without high profile recruits, Tim Todd, Baxter Evans and Damon Brady who all shone in their honourable performance against Stratford in round two.
They did unveil another more than handy recruit in
Tom O’Leary who impressed players on both sides.
The Blues went in without Ash Jonkers and Tommy Smith and lost Jordan Ross with a broken in arm in the second quarter.
While Charlie Mein (cut head) and Jack Herbert’s (corkie) output was restricted late in the game.
The match was even for the most of the afternoon, apart from the second quarter, where the home side got on top, kicking six goals to two, opening up a 31-point advantage by the long break, which they maintained to the end, winning by 37 points.
Orbost went forward with more purpose in the second term, negotiating its way through the traffic far too easily for Cats coach, Brett Waddell’s satisfaction.
Lindenow had some attractive patches of play, but in the end was beaten by a fitter team.
Hamish Nettleton was a vocal point up forward for the Blues all day, finishing with four goals, while small forward
Lachie Fenner was again prominent slotting three.
When the Cats went forward, star forward, Peter Harrison was double and triple teamed, which could be a significant factor going forward for Lindenow, who look to have limited other goal kicking options.
Jordan Ross began on Harrison, before Curtley Nettleton was given the role after Ross’ injury, Angus Davis was a constant close to Harrison when the ball was in the region.
Orbost coach, Peter Seal was happy with the victory.
“It was physical game, which you expect when you play a side that love the stoppages like Lindenow, which makes sense when you have players like
Dave Donchi, Justin Gould and Brett Waddell, who all played well,” he said.
Seal was delighted how his side ran out the game, but saddened by the injury to Ross.
“I thought we were fitter than them which certainly helped, it was a terrible blow for Jordan (Ross), he’s such a great kid.
“On a positive it’s great to see Max Herbert back out there playing,” Seal said.
Among the best for the Blues were Curtley Nettleton, Max Welsh, Brayden Fenner, Hamish Nettleton, Jacob Kane and Sean Nippress, while O’Leary, Norman Barry, Gould, Kaian Ritchie, Lucas Lakay and
Alexander Stanton stood out for the Cats.
The Blues will tackle Stratford in an away fixture this week, with Seal hoping for a forward showing.
“We don’t know a lot about them, and the big ground will be a challenge, but we will head down in good shape, hoping to bring home the points,” Seal said.
Lindenow will welcome Wy Yung to the Cattery, with its big name Melbourne recruits set to return, after two losses where it has shown promise, it will be keen to break through for a much needed victory.
