Reigning premier, Boisdale Briagolong have easily accounted for a disappointing Orbost Snowy Rovers in round seven of the East Gippsland Football Netball League on Saturday at Lochiel Park.
While the Bombers have not lived up to the hype thus far this season, and given the Blues’ proven track record on their home ground in recent seasons, Orbost went into the match hopeful of causing an upset, but it wasn’t to be.
Boisdale blew the game apart with seven goals in the second quarter to open up a 39-point half time advantage.
To their credit the Blues rallied in the second half but the damage was done, going down by 46 points in a disappointing result for a side that started the season with high hopes of pushing for a finals berth.
The Bombers are gradually getting their game together, but are struggling to put together solid four-quarter performances, doing enough in two and three quarter bursts to account for most sides, only dropping matches to Stratford and Wy Yung, with a grad final rematch Lucknow waiting in the next round.
The Blues currently sit fifth on the ladder, two games and insurmountable percentage behind the fourth-placed Bombers with a huge job ahead if they are to press for a finals spot in 2025.
Boisdale skipper Jim Reeves was again unstoppable up forward booting six goals to regain the lead in league goalkicking from Stratford livewire Jack Bacon.
Brandon Rimington continued his impressive recent form snagging three, with Sam Bedggood relishing just playing and not having to worry about coaching, finishing with two goals.
The only multiple goalkicker for the Blues was Hamish Nettleton with two.
Among the best for Orbost were Jacob Kane, Jayden Price, smooth-moving youngster Bobby Bills, tough defender Sean Nippress, Jake Humphreys and in and under bull Charles Mein.
Ed Phelan-Penson, who has played in the Heyfield reserves in recent seasons, was best on ground in his second game back at Bomberland, while Kel Porter and Tom Jolly again dominated, waxing possessions on occasions.
Other good players included Jackson Glenane, Rimington and former Stratford junior Reiley Rhodes.
After a week off to regroup courtesy of the King’s Birthday holiday weekend, Orbost Snowy Rovers will play Lakes Entrance at the Lakeside Oval in desperate need of four points to get a season that is currently derailed back on track.
The Bombers will welcome ladder leader and current premiership favourite, Lucknow to the Cabbage Patch, where we will get an indication of how the defending champion is really travelling.
