Bairnsdale kicked 10 goals to four in the second half to score a massive come-from-behind victory against arch rival, Maffra at the Bairnsdale City Oval in the final round of the Gippsland League last Saturday.
It was a fitting finale to the senior coaching tenure, of Kane Ashwood, who has coached the club at senior level over the previous two seasons after formerly being an assistant coach to Logan Austin.
The Redlegs have won six matches this season, an increase on five last year, and have showed some really positive signs, pushing some of the better teams over the last six weeks.
The shackles were off, Bairnsdale and Maffra played out a free flowing game of footy to close out the campaign.
Bairnsdale looked down and out at half time, trailing by 29 points, almost kicking themselves out of contention (5.13).
But they emerged after half time on a mission, kicking seven goals to one in the third term, to lead at three quarter time by nine points.
They staged a similar fightback at Maffra in round nine, only to be overrun in the final term, but not this time.
The Redlegs learning from their past mistakes and ending the year on a high note 15.18 (108) to 15.11 (101).
It was familiar names getting the job done inside 50 – up one end it was Bairnsdale danger man Brayden McCarrey (five goals) and up the other it was Eagles veteran John Butcher (four).
Cooper Vickery kicked four goals for the Redlegs, with Ethan East contributing three and Lachlan Byrne Jones two.
Elijah Berry, Jett Killoran and Jack McQuillan kicked two each for the Eagles.
Cooper Vickery was Bairnsdale’s best, ably assisted by McCarrey, Tyran Rees, Randall Stewart, Jonah Walker and Reece Carstairs.
The Eagles were well served by Alex Carr, Butcher, Zachary O’Keefe, Thomas Phillips, Max Stobie and Thomas Scott.
