The Power might have had the Redlegs’ measure in the main game, but it was a red-letter day in the other three football matches for the Bairnsdale Football Netball Club at Wonthaggi last Saturday in Gippsland League round five.
The highlight was the reserves breaking through for their first win of the season, with sensational accuracy around goal proving the pivotal factor. The Redlegs kicked 10.2 compared to 5.10, and were challenged down the stretch but held on gallantly, with several recent inclusions prominent in the victory.
Bairnsdale kicked six goals to two in the middle two quarters to open up a four-goal advantage by three-quarter time. Wonthaggi had plenty of opportunities in the final term, but a courageous Redlegs unit held on to win by 22 points.
James Gibbs was back in a Bairnsdale guernsey for the first time since 2017 and kicked four goals, relishing the opportunity to play alongside his son Tayte. Riley Taylor and Loizos Evripidou slotted two each in a forward structure that maximised opportunities. Evripidou was best on ground in his first game for the club, having played reserves at Hurstbridge in recent weeks.
He was ably assisted by Lachie Barr in his second outing for the Redlegs, while journeyman Jamie Church showed he still has the magic touch. Church previously played with Bairnsdale in 2016 alongside James Gibbs. Gibbs, Bryan Froud and overseas import Hywel Nichols were all consistent performers in an important win for the club.
Six unanswered third-quarter goals were enough to break the Power’s resolve in the thirds, after the home side led by 10 points at half time. Oscar Baylis and Kane Callaway booted three goals each, with the Redlegs fighting hard in the final term to win by 16 points after Wonthaggi mounted one last assault in search of an unlikely comeback.
Baylis was among the best alongside skipper Douglas Ashby, speedster Bill Prior, Albie Clarke, Saxon Buckley and former Paynesville youngster Charlie Wirken.
The timely victory, after going down to Warragul last week, has elevated the Redlegs to second on the ladder behind round one nemesis Traralgon.
In the fourths, Bairnsdale sit just outside the top five on percentage after wearing down the home side with a hard-tackling and defensively strong performance. The Power were unable to match the visitors in the final three quarters, with the eventual 28-point margin flattering the home side, as Bairnsdale again failed to convert some gettable opportunities.
The best players featured some of the club’s most promising youngsters and Redlegs stars of tomorrow, including Ayden Martin, Bailey Lieuwen, Tom Carter, Archer Crawley, Luca Desio and Hudson Froud. Crawley and Tayte Gibbs both finished with two goals each.
The Redlegs will enjoy a weekend off due to the split round, with their next assignment on May 23 at City Oval against Drouin.
