Wy Yung made it three wins in a row when it defeated a determined Lakes Entrance by 33 points at the Lakeside Oval in round six of the East Gippsland Football Netball League (EGFNL) last Saturday.
It was the Seagulls’ second consecutive honourable loss as they continue show significant improvement on what they offered up towards the end of 2024.
With a blend of youth and experience, the Seagulls matched the confident Wy Yung in patches, but ultimately the hungry Tigers, who are in the premiership window, had too much class and flexibility.
Wy Yung opened up a handy 31-point advantage at the first change after making good use of a significant breeze, kicking seven goals to two.
The Tigers had plenty of goalkicking options at their disposal, with Brad Daniel (three), hard-working midfield recruit Jett Murphy, skipper Harry Kellow and Jack Hodson all finishing with two each.
Lakes Entrance took the game right up to the Tigers with the aid of the wind in the second term, kicking four goals to one, to be in reach at half time trailing by just 13 points.
Liam Carroll continues to impress through the midfield and around the goals for Lakes Entrance, kicking three goals.
The Seagulls defended grimly in the third term as the easy goals from the first half dried up, Wy Yung added three goals to one, the visitors’ 28-point buffer at three quarter time more than handy but not insurmountable.
Disaster struck for the Seagulls in the third term, with three significant injuries, seeing Sam Nickless (head knock), Jake Fisher (broken leg) and Mitch Banner (knee) all out for match.
But with the free-flowing nature of the match diminished, the game developed into a battle of the defences, the Tigers winning the final quarter by two goals to one as the breeze dropped away, running out winners by 33 points, Lakes finishing the match without any players on interchange.
Jock Overend and Jett Murphy were in everything for the Tigers, Ridge Peters and Tom Betts stoic across half back, the latter giving his side plenty of run and carry.
Veteran Bayden Ashwood was again impressive, loving the close in nature of the second half when the match became a real arm wrestle.
Carroll and Sam Brown led the way for the Seagulls, Sabastian Etheridge was outstanding on a tough opponent in Jack Betts, while young Elijah Zagami impressed locking down Kellow, Brendan Bassett and Sean Smith were also consistent four quarter performers.
Lakes Entrance will venture to Lindenow this Saturday, to take on the winless Cats who are hungry for a much-needed victory.
The Seagulls will have some big decisions to make at selection, with Liam Allen a likely inclusion, with at least Banner and Fisher needing to be replaced.
The Tigers will host Paynesville at Bullumwaal Road, a chance to get their percentage on pair with the three other sides inside the top four.
