Ladder leader, Boisdale Briagolong, has made a clean sweep of the “Battle of Avon” in 2024, winning the third and final clash in the home and away season by 55 points at the Boyd Reserve in Stratford.
The win guarantees the Bombers a top-two finish while the Swans now find themselves out of the top four at the expense of Orbost Snowy Rovers.
A victory of greater than 80 points by the Swans this week against a disappointing Paynesville should be enough to see them claim their spot back in the final round of the East Gippsland Football Netball League.
The crowd was anticipating a fantastic clash for the Battle of the Avon, the day starting in solidarity as both teams came together for mental health and acknowledged the plight in small country towns and remembered friends and family that had passed away.
Bomber giant Matt Wilkinson looked to show his authority early and he was using his bulk to assert his dominance over Floyd Fulton.
Both the teams’ superstars began the game in red-hot form with Kel Porter and Tom Jolly leading the charge for the Bombers and Lachie Channing in everything for Stratford.
Jack Bacon was trying to create run on the half forward line, even though he had a heavily strapped hamstring that he tweaked in the warm up.
Bombers coach Sam Bedggood (three goals) was proving a handful for the Swans defence and he hit the scoreboard early, while wily veteran Rod O’Keefe (three) was providing plenty of spark up forward for the Swans with his ability to isolate defenders inside the forward 50.
There were plenty of attacks by both teams, as both defences stood strong to quarter time, the Swans holding a slender one-point advantage.
The second quarter saw the Bombers start to flex a bit of muscle when Jackson Glenane decided to join the midfield show that was being exhibited by the classy Boisdale outfit.
Jolly (five goals) was creeping forward and began to hit the scoreboard, with Stratford’s defence undermanned without Brody Reid and former premiership coach, Jarryd Clohesy.
Alex Morcom was trying hard for the Swans, however he was lacking consistency and was in and out of the game.
Jack Reitschel was also trying his best out on a wing for the Swans, however Boisdale’s defence was not allowing him to get on his lethal left foot.
As the Bombers put their foot down tempers started to flare and antagonist Cal Henning was caught high by Bacon in a clumsy attempt to tackle.
Wilkinson appeared not to want his team to have the free kick so he decided to even things up and collect Bacon.
The teams were on edge for the next five minutes with the game needing to be controlled, however both teams eventually decided to focus back on the football, as the Bombers held a handy 17-point advantage at the long break.
As in the previous week’s game, Boisdale came out after the break and made the premiership quarter its own.
The strategy appeared to stretch the Swans defence by moving Wilkinson forward and allowing Nick Marshall to go into the ruck.
This reaped dividends as Stratford had no answers for Wilkinson and Nicol Sandison up forward, which brought Cal Egan and Tim Dessent into the game as there was more ball at ground level.
Will Brunt chipped in with three goals.
Billy Marshall and Andrew Quirk continued to be strong in defence and were being assisted by Matt Hinks who was providing some run.
Porter was running head-to-head with Channing and putting on a clinic, extracting everything.
Jolly started to rest up forward. With Lewis Bolton, Justin Slattery, Nicholas French and Roydon Fulton starting to tire, he began to wreak even more havoc.
The toll of the ruck battle had started to take its toll on Floyd Fulton, with Jack Schulz now running through the midfield to try and provide some spark.
However, the damage was done and the Bombers held a commanding 42-point lead at the last break.
The last quarter petered out to some open football, however both teams put the cue in the rack and players were rested for both teams.
Swans coach Gav O’Shanassy wasn’t risking ruckman Floyd Fulton in the last, while Ryan Thatcher appeared to succumb to an injury, with Bacon rested.
The usual suspects continued to play well, the Bombers led by a dominant display from Porter who could have received the three, two and one votes, such was his dominance.
He was closely followed by his partner in crime Jolly, while Wilkinson can take credit for their dominance with his ruckwork.
Billy and Nick Marshall were very good and the forward line for the Bombers functioned very well even with the late withdrawal of their skipper, Jim Reeves.
Stratford was best served by Channing who continued to battle hard throughout the day, even though he had his colours lowered by Porter.
The French brothers, Nick and Nathan, tried hard in the midfield and down back, while Bacon never gave up and used his speed to advantage at times.
