Boisdale Briagolong’s quest for back to back East Gippsland Football Netball League reserves premierships is on track, with an emphatic 34-point win over Lakes Entrance on Saturday in the East Gippsland Football Netball League qualifying final at the Lucknow Recreation Reserve.
So dominant were the Bombers, they kept the Seagulls goalless in the first half, and Lakes were unable to score a goal at the end, strongly favoured by a stiff breeze.
The Bombers set the victory up in the first term with three unanswered goals with the wind, keeping the Seagulls scoreless, opening up a 22-point lead.
Competition best and fairest winner, Sam Bedggood was prominent from the first bounce, getting great support from players like Harry Swarski, Declan and Jude Scriven, who were unlucky not to be selected in the Bomber senior side.
They are sure to be in consideration this week, given the disappointing performance of the senior outfit.
The Seagulls had chances to cut the lead in the second term with the breeze, as players like Charlie Goold, Patrick Halford and Brendan Bassett began to have an impact on the contest.
But they failed to capitalise, adding only three points, the Bombers extending the margin at half time to a match-winning 27 points.
Unbeaten thus far in their campaign, Boisdale Briagolong was never threatened in the second half as the contest petered out, the ball spending a considerable amount of time in the dead pocket, which effected the Seagulls’ ability to mount a serious challenge, but ultimately flattered how close they were on the scoreboard at the final siren.
The great kick off between the competition’s leading full forward, Luke Pratt and Noah Bottom was a non event, with the century-kicking Bomber forward finishing with three of his side’s six goals, and Bottom going goalless.
He was blanketed by tough Boisdale defender, Beau Mynard, but in his defence, quality opportunities were few and far between, with the pressure on the players kicking inside 50 immense, resulting in shallow entries and poor supply.
Bedggood was outstanding for the Bombers, a class above everyone else out their, joined in the best by Declan Scriven, Swarski, Luke Pratt, Ethan Kincaid Shingles, and Beau Mynard.
High jumping ruckman, Reiley Rhodes also impressed in his battle with Mick Sowden, as did Zac Harrigan, Matt Roberts and Shaquille Coridas, who have all looked comfortable at senior level this season for the Bombers.
Youngsters Baxter Bennett and Charlie Graham were standouts for the Lakes Entrance, well supported by Goold, Halford, Bassett, and Davy.
Courtesy of a great season, where they have only lost to the Bombers, the Seagulls will get to use their double chance this week against Lindenow.
Boisdale Briagolong will await in the grand final for the victor, with a side that could potentially look different on grand final day if their senior team is knocked out in the preliminary final, but not necessarily weaker.
