Lakes Entrance’s hopes of returning to finals football in 2026 remain alive, but their destiny is not entirely in their own hands.
The Seagulls proved too good for Stratford at Boyd Reserve last Saturday in round 14 of the East Gippsland Football Netball League, running out comfortable 41-point winners.
However, arch-rival and fellow finals aspirant Orbost Snowy Rovers caused one of the upsets of the season by knocking off Wy Yung at Lochiel Park.
With two rounds to play, the Blues hold a four-point gap and a one per-cent advantage over the Seagulls, setting up a blockbuster clash between the two sides this Saturday at Lakeside Oval.
A victory for Orbost would cement its place in the top four, while a win for Lakes Entrance would keep its finals hopes alive heading into the final round.
In the regular-season finale, Orbost Snowy will welcome Lucknow, while Wy Yung hosts Lakes Entrance at Bullumwaal Road. If Lakes wins this weekend and both sides win their respective round 16 matches, percentage will decide the neighbours’ fate.
The Blues remain in the box seat, but Lakes is alive and well, focusing squarely on this week’s critical contest.
Lakes Entrance confronted a much more competitive Stratford lineup on Saturday, with the Swans making nine changes for the clash. Jesse Broadbent, Jarryd Clohesy, Germaine Otieno, David McKean, Jacob Van Zelst, Noah Bennett, Riley Cottrell, Jacob Williams and Hamish McGregor all returned to the side.
The Swans battled hard all day after handing the Seagulls a 22-point head start following a goalless opening term.
Lakes Entrance coach Darren Martin was pleased with his side’s output.
“It was a consistent four-quarter effort, which we have been targeting all year,” Martin said.
“Pleased to play the game on our terms all day.”
The Seagulls kicked eight goals to four in the second half, remaining in complete control throughout the afternoon.
Tom Hudson and Xavier Woodland kicked four goals each for the winners, with Martin believing Hudson is on the verge of a breakout performance. Sam Brown and the consistent Angus McKenzie finished with two goals each, while Cottrell booted two for the home side.
Among the best for the Seagulls were Woodland, James Beha, George Ioakim, Ben Richardson, Hudson, Mitch Banner and Angus Stevens.
Beha was again pivotal at centre half back, combining well with a group of youngsters — including the Stevens brothers, Ioakim and Tully Davis — who know each other’s games well and display an impressive reading of the play.
Will Cantrill also impressed in the back six, restricting Ben Dekkers to just one goal after the Swans forward caused major headaches for Martin and company the last time the two sides met.
Stratford coach Nathan Pollard and veteran Lachlan Channing led the way for the Swans, with solid contributions from Cooper Dixon, Harrison Langford, Kobi Taylor, McKean, Williams and Cottrell.
The Swans will travel to the Lindenow Recreation Reserve this week to take on the Cats.
