Boisdale Briagolong has bounced back from a disappointing qualifying final loss, comfortably outplaying Orbost Snowy Rovers by 52 points in their East Gippsland Football Netball League preliminary final at Bairnsdale City Oval last Saturday.
The Bombers ran out 15.18 (108) to 8.8 (56) victors, setting up a decider rematch with Lindenow this Saturday — marking the ninth consecutive year that the top two sides on the ladder will contest the senior grand final.
Orbost Snowy Rovers went in unchanged from the previous week, while Boisdale Briagolong recalled Declan Scriven and Jude Scriven in place of Jack Davidson (omitted) and Bayden Dowsett (injured). Jude Scriven played a pivotal tagging role, successfully blanketing the normally prolific Keiran Vickery.
Boisdale set up the victory in the opening term, kicking 4.7 to 1.2 as Orbost struggled to clear the ball past the Bomber half forward line.
Time after time, the second kick after a behind was a turnover, resulting in a 15-to-six inside-50 advantage for Boisdale. Only inaccurate kicking kept the Blues within 23 points at quarter-time.
Bomber skipper Jim Reeves set the tone early, kicking two goals in the first three minutes to put immediate pressure on opponent Cody Robertson. Tom Jolly kicked his first after six minutes before converting another from 50 metres following an intercept mark.
Nicol Sandison was impassable at half back, driving the Bombers’ transition play across the wide expanse of Bairnsdale City Oval. A strong tackle from Charlie Mein eventually yielded Orbost’s first major through Byron Vickery, who went on to boot five for the afternoon.
Ben Wilkinson and Jordan Ross fought out a tight battle in the ruck, with the Bombers opting to play Andrew McKenzie at centre half forward rather than risking him in extended spells on the ball.
Ross helped Orbost gain a nine-to-five clearance edge in the second term, but the Blues were still out-entered as the Bombers posted 3.6 to 3.4.
Reeves kicked his third in the opening minute of the second quarter against new opponent Jackson De Prinse. Kelvin Porter and Jolly added further majors to stretch the lead to 45 points. However, Orbost mounted a late fightback, kicking three goals in time-on through a Byron Vickery double and a sharp snap from Gus Rogers to stay within 25 points at the long break.
The Bombers surged again after half time as Jordan Stubbe and Jolly booted majors in the first three minutes. Despite Orbost winning the inside-50 count 15 to eight for the term, the Blues managed just two majors via Byron Vickery and Max Welsh. Jesse Ross responded for Boisdale, sending the Bombers into three-quarter time with a 37-point lead.
Any lingering hopes of an Orbost comeback vanished less than a minute into the final term when Kade Renooy converted following a 50-metre penalty against Braeden Ross. Finn Donnellan answered for the Blues, but Reeves sealed the result with his fourth major.
Jolly capped a best-on-ground performance with two late goals to finish with six for the match from the midfield. He received strong support from Josh Davis, Jude Scriven, Ben Brunt, Reeves, Renooy and Jackson Glenane.
Jordan Ross battled hard in the ruck for Orbost, with Byron Vickery, Sean Nippress, De Prinse, Welsh and Curtley Nettleton fighting the game out.
Boisdale Briagolong co-coach Sam Bedggood said his side was pleased to secure another grand final berth but noted room for growth.
“It was great to get through, though we didn’t take our chances early, but thankfully it didn’t cost us,” Bedggood said.
“The bigger ground allowed us to play the footy we wanted to play. Our pressure was on from the start, and we were able to pressure their short-kicking game to create turnovers.”
It was a disappointing end for Orbost Snowy Rovers, falling at the preliminary final stage for the second straight season. However, joint coaches Clancy Bennett and Brett Morrison can draw plenty of positives from a strong campaign, highlighted by a stellar year from Kieran Vickery.
FINAL SCORE
Bois Briag 4.7 7.13 11.14 15.18 (108)
Orbost Snowy 1.2 4.6 6.7 8.8 (56)
GOALS – Bois Briag: T. Jolly 6, J. Reeves 4, J. Ross 1, K. Porter 1, K. Renooy 1, J. Stubbe 1, B. Wilkinson 1. Orbost Snowy: B. Vickery 5, G. Rogers 1, M. Welsh 1, F. Donnellan 1.
BEST – Bois Briag: T. Jolly, B. Brunt, J. Reeves, K. Renooy, J. Ross, J. Glenane. Orbost Snowy: J. Ross, B. Vickery, B. Ross, S. Nippress, G. Rogers, Z. Webb.
