Bairnsdale has dropped another spot on the Gippsland League ladder, now occupying eighth after another hard-fought loss, this time to Maffra in round 14 action at the Maffra Recreation Reserve.
The Eagles moved from ninth to seventh after registering their fifth win of
the campaign.
The Redlegs rewarded promising youngster Rex Hargreaves with his first senior game after an outstanding season in thirds and he kicked a goal in a strong debut.
In what shaped up to be a tight game the result would come down to which youngsters would best stand up under pressure.
With some tactical positional changes to both teams coming to the fore early in the contest, the main surprise was seeing Will Mitchell (35 disposals) starting out of the centre square.
This didn’t stop Ethan East from asserting his dominance early, though Maffra was the first to trouble the scorers.
A magnificent end-to-end goal set up through fantastic run and overlap saw the Redlegs kick the first major, Cooper Harvey (35) the last link in an impressive chain.
As the teams settled into the contest East was dominant around the ground as well as in front of goal with a running effort from outside 50 as well as a telling mark, seeing him kick two of his three goals in the first term.
A late goal to Maffra danger man Jett Killoran (24), his first of two for the afternoon, saw Bairnsdale’s break at quarter time cut to 11 points in a tight encounter.
The younger brigade for both sides started to stand up in the second quarter with Max East taking some strong marks in defence for the Redlegs, Josh Lando providing some run, while Nic Bulmer was enjoying being in the thick of the action starting to accumulate numbers with the help of Tyran Rees (32), Harvey and Tate Clay (35).
For the Eagles Killoran was leading the charge with the help of Harper Walker, Elliott Stables and Jonathan Boyd, with Lachlan Allman doing a fantastic job curtailing the brilliance of Mitchell.
The ruck contest was competitive with East opposed to Thomas Scott and Andrew Mackenzie, however it was the Bairnsdale giant who took the honours into the half being the clear best player on the ground with his tap work and aerial prowess.
Bairnsdale’s lead was out to 13 points at half time after both sides added three goals in the second term.
Both teams came out with intent and the game became more physical in the third term and this appeared to be favouring the Eagles.
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Alex Carr (40) was starting to get his game going and proving a handful for the Redlegs, while Allman continued his run-with role on Mitchell.
For the Redlegs Josh Wykes, Bryon Vickery and Ricky Tatnell were trying to get themselves involved, with Matthew Hamilton’s run at times proving vital.
Maffra kicked four goals to two for the term, young Walker proving a crafty goal sneak slotting his second for the match, while Dylan Alexander began to find space around the ground and be among many of the Eagles’ attacks.
There were worrying signs for the Redlegs, as Maffra’s run was starting to create countless opportunities and East was starting to tire.
Bairnsdale held on to a one-point lead at the break and they would have been confident as the wind was starting to pick up to the end that they would be kicking to in the last quarter.
Maffra was needing a lift as it were playing for club stalwart James Read in his 200th senior game, and Alex Carr took on the challenge, he had the first three clearances of the quarter and this resulted in a Christy goal, his second for the match.
Bairnsdale got the reply with a booming 60 metre torpedo from Bulmer into the forward 50, where McCarrey was the recipient of a free kick and
he slotted truly, his second for
the afternoon.
Carr continued to dominate and was willing his team to get the win in their milestone game.
Christy was finally moved into the centre and extracted the ball a couple of times as the game was played ferociously between the two 50 metre
arcs with some solid tackling
a highlight.
With Ethan East now resting in the forward line, MacKenzie and Scott were getting on top in the ruck, the former proving a handful as he drifted forward to take a strong mark and bring more opportunities down to
the ground.
Bairnsdale just couldn’t hit that final kick into the 50 as Jet Killoran put the final nail in the Redlegs coffin, the Eagles finishing with four goals to one in the final term.
Carr’s second half was outstanding and through his penetrating kicks the Eagles managed to bring home the four points.
Ethan East was outstanding for the Redlegs, while other players came in and out of the game, lacking consistency to support their inspirational leader.
Wykes and Bulmer would be better for another run under their belt, while Clay, Lachlan Cloak and Hamilton are starting to gain confidence around the ground.
Carr, Killoran and Alexander led the way for the Eagles, with assistance from their young brigade in Stables, Walker and Boyd, while Mackenzie’s last quarter was vital in securing the win, as well as Allman’s role on Mitchell.
Bairnsdale will welcome Wonthaggi to the Bairnsdale City Oval this week.
