A second quarter blitz by reigning premier Boisdale Briagolong has seen it outclass neighbour Stratford in round 10 East Gippsland Football Netball League action at Boyd Reserve.
Interestingly it was the third time this season the Bombers have been victorious two games in a row, but they are yet to win three consecutively in their premiership defence.
The first term was subdued as both sides felt each other out, the Bombers butchering a couple of opportunities, the Swans kicking the only goal.
But the planets aligned for Boisdale as they kicked seven goals to one in the second term, coach Kade Renooy, clearance king Kel Porter (two goals) and fellow classy onball duo, Jackson Glenane and Tommy Jolly running rings around their opponents, continually pumping the ball forward where small forwards Brandon Rimington (three), Sam Bedggood (three) and Luke Pratt (two) made the most of the repeat entries.
Rodney O’Keefe impressed at the other end for the Swans kicking three of their five goals, despite limited opportunities.
Stratford tried some run-with roles in the third term to little effect, the Bombers continuing their form kicking four goals to one, putting the game out of the reach, the heat coming out of the match in the final quarter as Boisdale Briagolong ran out a 64-point winner – its most significant victory for the season.
The Bombers made it 1-1 in the Battle of Avon after the Swans took the initial battle in round one.
Boisdale had plenty of winners led by Renooy, Glenane, Rimington, Porter, Jolly and Jude Scriven.
It was clearly the Swans’ worst performance of the year, their consistency a feature of their play this situation. How easily they were blown away will be a concern for coach Nathan Pollard.
Jordan Robertson, William O’Keefe, Rodney O’Keefe, veteran Jarryd Clohesy, Angus Mason and the classy Lachlan Channing named among the better players in a dirty day for Stratford.
The victory has seen the Bombers go above the Swans on the ladder form the first time this season on per centage with both needing to keep winning if they are to close in on current second-placed Wy Yung with Lucknow almost certain to finish on the top.
Stratford will be keen to bounce back quickly but they face the difficult task of travelling to Orbost Snowy Rovers, who have put two wins together and are hard to beat at home.
A loss would see the Blues within four points on the ladder and the finals dream still alive, a Swans victory would almost certainly seal the top four.
Boisdale Briagolong will host Wy Yung in a pivotal game at the Cabbage Patch, a Bombers victory would see them rise to second on the table, a loss would see them two games behind Wy Yung.
