Boisdale Briagolong moved to the top of the East Gippsland Football Netball League, easily accounting for a gallant and persistent Lakes Entrance by 61 points in round 12 at the Cabbage Patch last Saturday.
The Seagulls made the trip down the highway confident of a good showing having tested the Bombers in round four at the Lakeside Oval, going down by just 17 points in a tight and entertaining match, but it wasn’t to be
Boisdale was quickly out of the blocks, kicking six goals to two in the first quarter, with skipper Jim Reeves (six goals) and veteran forward Cal Egan (four) providing excellent moving targets for the Bombers midfield that were manfully led by Jackson Glenane and Tom Jolly in the absence of Kel Porter.
Giant ruckman, Matt Wilkinson, was dominant, racking up hit outs and possessions at will, the big fellow putting up a good case for another three votes for the league best and fairest, which his name would surely be among the leaders.
The Bombers rammed home another six goals in the second term to put the game out of reach by half time leading by a massive 58 points.
To their credit the Seagulls didn’t lie down. Led by the Carroll bothers, Liam and Emmett, they rallied hard, matching the Bombers for intensity and scoreboard pressure as both sides kicked five goals in the second half.
Lakes Entrance outscored one of the premiership favourites in the final term, as Matt Duggan, Noah Bottom, Tom Hudson and coach Ben Rotheram all slotted a couple of goals for the Seagulls.
The victorious Bombers got outstanding service from Wilkinson, Jolly, Reeves, Glenane and tough defenders Billy Marshall and Rhys Johnson.
BLUES DOMINATE
With plenty to play for, Orbost Snowy Rovers made light work of Paynesville, winning by 101 points.
The Blues kicked six unanswered first quarter goals, with Lachie Fenner (six goals) having a day out, operating in tandem with co-captain Hamish Nettleton (four), with regular number two forward, Curtley Nettleton missing.
At 10 goals to one at half time, Orbost held a commanding 58-point lead, with not even the reunion of the 1984 Paynesville senior premiership side enough to spur the struggling Gulls into action.
The Blues kept the foot on the pedal under the urgings of coach Peter Seal, banking valuable percentage, which could come in handy.
Set the tough task of probably needing to win its last six matches to make the finals, Orbost easily ticked off its first challenge, and although the tasks will get harder and the pressure is sure to mount, the confidence gained in a dominant winning performance can never be denied.
Key big man Wes Russell was a worrying omission for the Blues, who were delighted by the return of important hardmen Tommy Smith and Ash Jonkers.
Best players for the Blues were Fenner, emerging ruckman, Will Walker, Smith, Jonkers, Zach Webb and Gus Rogers.
Former player Webb is a recent addition, having played for Lancefield in the Riddell Football Netball League earlier in the season.
Paynesville was well served by Charles Mein, Lewis Smith, Jordan Farquhar, Jordan Ray, Alex McLaren and Oscar Pike.
MAGPIES SOAR Lucknow sits in second place on the ladder after outclassing Lindenow by 46 points in an eventful day at the Lindenow Recreation Reserve.
A six unanswered goal first term by the Magpies blew the game apart, with the Cats playing catch up from that point onwards.
To their credit they kicked eight goals in the final three quarters, while the highly rated Magpies could only manage nine.
Dallas Smith and John Gooch were lively up forward for the Magpies, kicking four goals each, while Jackson Smith booted three.
Peter Harrison returned to the Cats side and was outstanding up forward booting six goals, reminding the football world what he is capable of when on song.
Darren Allen played after being under a cloud pre-match with a hamstring injury, booting two goals and being named in the best.
Among the best for the Magpies were the consistent, Andrew Nelson, Jackson Smith, pacy onballers, Joel McNamara and Ryan Halford, Gooch and Jake Richards.
Harrison was an obvious standout for the Cats, getting good support from Allen, Lucas Lakay, Michael Young, David Donchi and Nathan Hay.
IMAGE: Boisdale Briagolong onballer Jackson Glenane chases after the loose ball during his side’s round 12 East Gippsland football win over Lakes Entrance last Saturday at Boisdale.
