Lucknow has eliminated Stratford comfortably in the East Gippsland Football Netball League preliminary final at the Bairnsdale City Oval last Sunday.
The Magpies were ruthless in the second half, keeping the Swans goalless, with erratic goal kicking only seeing them add three of their own, they still had 42 points to spare when the final siren sounded.
The Swans were up and about early, putting up a spirited challenge to a Lucknow outfit that contained regular senior players, Brad Saulle and Tanner Croucher.
With Nash Faithfull already causing problems up forward for the Swans, they were up against from early in the first quarter.
But as the first quarter progressed, the Magpies began to assert their authority, the 10-point quarter margin already flattering Stratford.
The second quarter was played in a similar vein, with the Magpies, dominating the inside 50 count, off the back of some great at the stoppages from Saulle and co, Lucknow leaders by 19 points at half time.
Faithfull capped off a great game with five goals from the forward pocket, with the better players Harry Kerr, Croucher, Saulle, Lachlan Taylor, Nicholas Harrison and Faithfull.
Kerr did an outstanding job on the competitions leading goal kicker, Monty Mayman who was kept goalless.
Harrison impressed on a wing, combining several times with Taylor, who showed with his 10 games at senior level this season, that he has a bright future.
Ned Conway, Campbell Hanna, Sonny Johnson, Brax Wilson, Archie Conway, and Joshua Hall all tried hard for the Swans.
It’s a disappointing finish to a productive season for the Swans, while the Magpies will go in as underdogs in this week’s preliminary final against Lindenow, but high on confidence.
Coach, Tim Keyte was delighted with his sides effort.
“Was a good win, played the team football we have been focusing on at training,” Keyte said.
“Face a big task this week, but are a big chance if we are all switched on.”
