Stratford ran out an easy winner over Lindenow in its East Gippsland Football Netball League reserves elimination final at the Bairnsdale City Oval last Sunday.
With both sides not being represented at senior level this year, they went in with close to full strength line ups but it was the Swans who prevailed by 54 points after restricting the Cats to a solitary goal in the first three quarters.
The Swans line up included James Channing, Ronan Hall, Dylan O’Shanassy (three goals), Jacob Bennett (two goals), Jesse Broadbent, Jackson Cottrell, Luke Robins, Daniel Howe, Thomas Brew, Cooper Wyld, Blake Cuttriss and Kobi Taylor who have all showed that they can fill a hole at senior level if required.
Cuttriss gave Stratford first use of the ball, with Brew and Hall prolific around the contest, Taylor and Broadbent reliable across half back and O’Shanassy showing the flair, run and excitement spectators are accustomed to, when he approaches the ball in the forward 50.
Stratford kicked three goals to one in the opening term opening up a 14-point lead at quarter time, which blew out to 36 points at half time, as the Cats struggled to get the ball deep into their attacking zone.
Lindenow lifted its intensity after half time, certainly creating more forward forays, but lacked reward on the scoreboard particularly in the third quarter.
Defenders like Cassidy and Joel Stewart worked hard combining well with Bronson Ritchie, Brady Egan and Jayden Finn to stop numerous Stratford inside 50s, only for the ball to return shortly after closer to goal.
Bennett had three solid opportunities to mark for the Swans in the third quarter but confidence eluded him, late goals to O’Shanassy and Wyld stretching the lead to 51 points as the heat went out of the game in the final term.
Lindenow’s day went from bad to worse when league best and fairest winner Rob Maisey came to the bench with a chest injury, spending the final quarter in ice on the bench.
The Cats played their best football in the final term, matching the Swans as Finn and Mark Baylis (two goals) converted, but when Bennett marked and goaled, to plenty of applause, the margin again blew out to more than 50 points.
In the best for the Swans were Cuttriss, Taylor, O’Shanassy, Brew, Hall and Howe, while the Cats were best served by Cassidy Stewart, Ben Campbell, Viliami Liavaa, Egan, Vaughn Evans, Finn and Ritchie.
Stratford will now play Lucknow at Bairnsdale City Oval this Saturday for a spot in the reserves decider against Boisdale Briagolong.
There were concerns late in the final term with Channing (hamstring) and Kyle Hargreaves (ankle) limping to the boundary, with doubts surrounding their availability going forward.
