Boisdale Briagolong enhanced its East Gippsland football premiership credentials with a comfortable 22-point victory over previous ladder leader, Lucknow, at the Magpies’ Nest last Saturday.
Following three tight quarters the Bombers kicked clear late, led by star duo Kel Porter and Tom Jolly. Boisdale’s win has created a logjam at the top of the ladder. Wy Yung, the Magpies and Bombers have all recorded eight wins and two losses, the Tigers well and truly on top with a massive percentage.
Stratford is a further game back with fifth-placed Orbost Snowy finals hopes slimming after a loss to the Tigers. The Blues are now eight points adrift of the Swans.
But it was the Bombers who were the talk of the competition over the weekend as they showed they are eager to go one better than last year’s runner-up finish.
Lucknow won the toss and kicked with the aid of a significant breeze as the game started at frantic pace. Both midfields were getting their hands on the ball with ease, Porter, Jolly and Jackson Glenane leading the onslaught for the Bombers, while Ash Smith, Zack Smith and Joel McNamara were finding plenty of the ball for the Magpies.
The Magpies were first to settle kicking the opening two goals of the day, largely due to their forward pressure.
The Bombers hit back and started putting some scoreboard pressure on the Magpies with the next two goals.
Both defensive units were performing well, Andrew Nelson and Jessie Pescod crucial for Lucknow while Andrew Quirk and the Marshalls – Billy and Nick – were proving tough to penetrate for Boisdale.The Magpies’ short kicking game and willingness to try and hit targets was proving ineffective in the windy conditions as Boisdale’s turn with the wind saw Jolly and Porter kick their side into another gear. Porter was damaging with both hand and foot, while Jolly’s long kicking game was exacerbated by the breeze.
Lucknow big men Dion Grace and Jake Richards were entrenched in a tough battle with Matt Wilkinson and neither team could get an ascendancy at the stoppages.
Bombers coach Sam Bedg-good was lively along with Paddy Mack in the Boisdale forward line while captain Jim Reeves was trying to get into the game, however was closely checked by Pescod at every turn.
Callan Egan was in and out, while Will Brunt was proving to be a versatile player on the ground and in the air.Lucknow’s defence looked lost, however it managed to settle through McNamara and Nelson while Ryan Halford started to get his hands on the ball – his speed troubling Boisdale on the outside.
Brendan Flinn and Richards were proving elusive up forward for the Magpies, while veteran John Gooch was providing a target as he drifted in from the midfield. Lucknow was able to settle with late goals and stop the early second quarter onslaught.
The Magpies went out after half time with an attitude to gain ground rather than keep possession and it proved effective as it brought Glen Perkins and at times Bayley Croucher and Dallas Smith into the game.
Once Boisdale regained composure the match turned into an arm wrestle and both teams traded goals.
The rain appeared to be imminent and with the breeze Lucknow needed its nose in front, however every time the Magoies got close Boisdale always had the answer.
The last quarter saw the wind settle and the drizzle set in, which affected skill levle and didn’t allow either side to gain any sort of ascendancy.
Every time Porter and Jolly rallied and extended the lead, Zack Smith and McNamara would respond and get Lucknow back in with a sniff.
Flinn drilled a snap from 50m to get the crowd up and about, however Bedggood stopped any momentum with an Eddie Betts-style goal in the pocket to silence the Magpie army.
The game finished being played between the two half back lines and Lucknow just couldn’t get the lead back.
Jolly and Porter were outstanding for the visitors and were ably assisted by the trio of Marshalls and Glenane while Quirk was ever reliable down back. Bedggood, Reeves, Jolly and Egan each kicked two goals.
Lucknow was best served by McNamara with a fantastic game off half back, while Zack Smith played his best game for the club and showed what he is capable of when playing in the centre.
Ash Smith got plenty of ball, while Nelson was rock solid in the backline. Flinn finished with three goals and Gooch two.
IMAGE: Boisdale Briagolong big man Matt Wilkinson gets his hands dirty for a ground ball during the Bombers’ 22-point round 11 East Gippsland football victory over Lucknow at Lucknow last Saturday.