Bairnsdale’s junior football teams produced impressive performances in Round 14 of the Gippsland League, securing two dominant victories over Wonthaggi at Bairnsdale City Oval.
The fourths kept their double-chance finals hopes alive, holding third spot with an emphatic 139-point win. The rampaging Redlegs dominated across the ground, restriction Wonthaggi to a single late goal while generating 38 scoring shots. Seth Adams (seven goals), Harper Clack (five), and Archer Crawley (four) led the charge up forward, with Adams, Crawley, Luca Desio, Tayte Cooper, Bailey Lieuwen, and Max Gudgin named best on ground.
In the thirds, Bairnsdale locked in a crucial 27-point victory in a high-stakes top-five clash. Capitalizing on a strong first-term breeze, the Redlegs kept the Power scoreless early to establish a 15-point margin. Despite Wonthaggi’s second-quarter push, Bairnsdale reasserted control in the premiership term, holding the visitors scoreless again to extend the lead to 20 points before sealing the win.
Oscar Baylis returned from an eight-game senior stint to boot three goals. Notably, all five of Bairnsdale’s best players—Harry McGuinn, Jobe Froud, Bill Prior, Harley Young, and Baylis—have featured at senior level this season.
The reserves suffered a 21-point loss in a dour battle, with Wonthaggi proving more clinical inside 50. Mitchell Neal, Andrew Pritchett, Riley Taylor, Daniel Eastman, Cooper Young, and Jason Waddell fought hard for the hosts.
Bairnsdale travels to face Drouin at Drouin Recreation Reserve this Saturday.
