Orbost Snowy Rovers have moved into third place on the East Gippsland Football Netball League ladder after a commanding victory over Paynesville at Lochiel Park in round three.
Responding to a disappointing opening-round loss to Lucknow, the Blues have regained momentum with consecutive wins over Lakes Entrance and Paynesville.
The home side set the tone early, dominating the first quarter with 11 scoring shots to two to open up a 29-point lead, which could have been greater with improved accuracy.
Paynesville showed greater resistance in the second term, matching Orbost in several key areas, but the Blues maintained scoreboard control to take a 41-point advantage into half-time.
Any hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished after the break, with Orbost Snowy lifting to another level and producing its most complete football of the season. The Blues piled on 16 unanswered goals in a dominant second half to emphatically seal the result.
Tom Smith was the major beneficiary of the side’s clean ball movement, finishing with seven goals, while Kieran Vickery and Jarrah Nettleton added three each.
Gus Rogers, Angus Joiner, Bobby Bills and Curtley Nettleton were also influential, with Nettleton providing strong drive across half-back.
Paynesville battled throughout, with Jai Nelson, Jordan Dadswell, Ben McKinnon, Koby Sellings and James O’Dwyer among its better contributors.
Orbost Snowy Rovers will look to build on their strong form when they face Boisdale Briagolong this Saturday at the Cabbage Patch, while the Gulls welcome Stratford to AJ Freeman Reserve.
