Boisdale Briagolong has scored a come-from-behind win over arch rival Stratford in the third edition of the “Battle of the Avon”
for season 2025 at the Cabbage Patch in round 17 of the East Gippsland Football Netball League.
The Bombers looked to be up against it at three quarter time, trailing by 16 points, with the Swans keen to win to keep their slim finals hopes alive, hoping that Paynesville could put up a fight in their clash with Orbost Snowy Rovers, and Stratford might sneak back into the final four on percentage, but as it turned out it wouldn’t have mattered, with the Blues finishing with a superior percentage.
Stratford which has been down on form in recent weeks and is riddled with injuries, certainly rose to the occasion this match produces every time they clash.
The game was played in close, with players from both sides frustrated by the interpretation of the 50 metre penalty, some contentious goal umpiring signals and the reluctance of the umpires to make a decision, preferring to let the play continue.
Eventually this resulted in some untidy exchanges as tempers flared, Boisdale’s Johnson brothers never far from the centre of the action.
Impressively when challenged, the Bombers kicked seven goals to three in that frantic final term to win by 10 points.
The catalyst for the final term resurgence was co-coach Kade Renooy who kicked three inspirational goals in that final stanza to will his side home in a largely solo effort, his running as elite as his skills.
With Boisdale opting to rest Jackson Glenane and Sam Bedggood, Renooy was able to take Glenane’s place in the midfield, instead of playing on a half back flank where he has played for a majority of the season.
As an on-ball option, Renooy (four goals) adds the ability to kick goals and without a big forward option and relying primarily on skipper Jim Reeves (three) to kick a winning score, it is hard to see how the Bombers wouldn’t play him in the middle in their finals campaign.
Boisdale usually uses Glenane and Kelvin Porter as its main mids, running Tom Jolly and tagger Daniel Johnson through the middle.
Johnson spent some time on Swans colossus Lachie Channing on the weekend.
With Renooy playing as midfielder, Jolly may be able to spend more time forward where he kicked two vital final term majors with poise.
Alex Morcom was unstoppable for the Swans kicking seven goals in a splendid effort, combining well with Rodney O’Keefe and the high-flying Ben Dekkers, who continues to develop as a player.
Floyd Fulton again impressed in the ruck for Stratford doing a power of work, exposing Bomber giant Matt Wilkinson to a level of exhaustion he isn’t used to.
After an even first half, the Swans made their move in the third term, kicking six goals to three, getting good drive from recently reappointed coach Nathan Pollard and Channing, who despite not being 100 per cent, still won plenty of football.
Renooy was clearly best afield, getting good support from Jude Scriven, who got better as the match progressed, Billy Marshall, Jolly, Kelvin Porter and Reeves, who had a great battle with Angus Mason, who did a pretty good job.
Morcom and Pollard led the way for Stratford, well supported by Channing, Mason and Dekkers.
