There was no fairytale finish to the Gippsland League season for Bairnsdale, well-beaten by finals-bound Morwell at Bairnsdale City Oval by 60 points last Saturday.
Celebrating forward Brayden McCarrey’s 100th game, the Redlegs couldn’t get over the line for their star servant, unable to match the pace and flair of the Tigers, who finished the home and away season fourth, locking in an elimination final against Warragul this Sunday
at Wonthaggi.
The Kane Ashwood-coached Bairnsdale side finished the season eighth with five wins, showing promise for large parts of
the season. However, ultimately injuries to key players such as captain Lachlan Byrne-Jones, defender Hugh Longbottom and McCarrey, meant the side’s depth would be tested.
This did allow Bairnsdale to blood numerous youngsters who showed the club does have a bright future.
Last Saturday it was the Tigers who played with finals-like precision,
capitalising on any Bairnsdale mistake as they led at every change.
Again Bairnsdale’s key contributors came in the form of gun onballer Will Mitchell, winger Cooper Harvey and the now established face of the midfield unit Tyran Rees.
Mitchell filled his bag up with 39 possessions, Harvey had 40 and Rees 32, the latter also contributing a game-high 13 clearances. Rees has certainly developed playing more midfield time alongside Mitchell.
McCarrey kicked three goals in his milestone game, while the consistent Ethan East, Ricky Tatnell and improving tall Oscar Clarke were among the
best players.
