Disappointment for the Bairnsdale Redlegs on Saturday, going down to the Warragul Gulls across all four grades at Bairnsdale City Oval in round four of the Gippsland League.
The reserves were competitive for a half, with accurate goal kicking keeping them within 11 points at the main break, before the unbeaten Gulls lifted the tempo after half time.
Warragul then kicked eight unanswered goals to run out 58-point winners, leaving the Redlegs still searching for their first win of the season. Hywel Nicholls, Albie Clarke, Bryan Froud, Andrew Pritchett, Mitchell Neal and Leo Sykes were among the better contributors for the home side.
In the thirds, Bairnsdale slipped to fifth on the ladder after an 18-point loss. Warragul set up the win with a four-goal-to-one second quarter to take a 15-point lead into half time, which the Redlegs were unable to reel in.
Luca Djokic kicked two goals, with Saxon Buckley, Harley Young, Bill Prior, skipper Douglas Ashby, Angus Tanner and Zane Holley among Bairnsdale’s better players.
The fourths were competitive against the unbeaten Gulls, but Bairnsdale’s inside-50 supply dried up through the middle quarters, allowing the visitors to open up a 29-point lead at three-quarter time.
The Redlegs responded strongly in the final term, outscoring their opponents to narrow the margin to 18 points, showing promising signs of what they are capable of when it all clicks.
Emerging talents Hudson Froud, Archer Crawley, Ayden Martin, Xavier Parker, Caleb Morrison and Lucas Evans were prominent. Parker impressed with three goals, while Harper Clack added two.
Bairnsdale now heads to Wonthaggi this week to take on the Power.
