A gallant Orbost Snowy Rovers pushed competition boom side, Lucknow right to the wire in round one of the East Gippsland Football Netball League 2024 season last Saturday at Lochiel Park.
Lucknow introduced high profile recruits, Andrew Nelson, Nicholas George, Zac Smith, Jessie Pescod and John Gooch while welcoming back Jake Green, who was busy all afternoon after kicking the opening goal of the match.
With the influx of high player point recruits, Magpie coach Shaun Mooney was forced to watch from the coaches’ box with itchy
feet.
It certainly doesn’t look like an isolated instance with another big name, high point player, Bayley Croucher looking a certain inclusion when fully recovered from an ankle injury.
Lucknow was out of blocks quickly with players like Green, Smith, Jack Saulle and George running rampant in the first quarter.
Trailing by 23 points at the first break, Orbost looked likely to be blown away by a side high on top end recruits, but the Blues rallied and willed themselves back into the contest, tackling hard and making the Magpies earn every possession.
Some quick transitions saw skipper, Hamish Nettleton (five goals) catch his opponent unaware and mark strongly, twice, one out, as the Blues clawed their way back within five points at the long break.
Wes Russell was outstanding all day for the Blues, dominating in the ruck and around the ground against quality opposition in Deon Grace and Jake Richards.
Lucknow rallied in the third term, kicking three goals to one, as Mooney barked instructions from the coach’s box.
Lucknow led by 15 points at three quarter time, Orbost kicked the first goal of the final term to give itslef a chance, and dominated the inside 50’s for the quarter but couldn’t convert as the stoic Lucknow defence held sway in a tight and at times tense last quarter.
Lucknow was well served by George, Nick Mooney, Green, Joel Mcnamara and Steve Bertino.
Best players for the Blues were Russell, Ash Jonkers, Sean Nippress, Hamish Nettleton, Lachlan Osborn and Angus Davis.
Reigning premier, Wy Yung, overpowered Lakes Entrance in the final three quarters to win by 69 points at the Lakeside Oval.
After a relatively even first quarter, the Tigers went to another level in the second quarter, kicking six goals to two, to put the game out of the reach of the gallant Seagulls.
Wy Yung piled on eight goals to four in the second half, but there were plenty of positives for Lakes Entrance, including four goals from marque recruit, Tom Hudson, and solid form of new additions, Tyrone Hayes and Jordan Clarke.
Tiger high profile recruit, Nathan Dennison, was quickly among the action, booting three goals, joined in best by makeshift ruckman, Tommy Stephenson, Jock Overend, Jack Betts (two goals) and veteran Bayden Ashwood.
After a quiet pre-season, Stratford made the best possible start under new coach, Gavin O’Shanassy, defeating Paynesville by 81 points at AJ Freeman Reserve.
The Swans upped the tempo in the second term after a relatively subdued start, booting 14 goals to two in an awesome three-quarter blitz.
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Tim Hawkins was unstoppable in the forward 50 for Stratford, helping himself to
eight goals, including a goal of the year contender, as injuries ravaged the Gulls in the second half finishing the match with just 18 players.
Harry Gibbs (jaw), who is already on the sidelines, is set to be joined by skipper Ben McKinnon (shoulder) and Mitch Wilmott, which will test the depth early in the season.
No such problem at Stratford, with Rodney O’Keefe suiting up in the reserves and the prolific Rhonan Hall racking them up at will in the thirds.
Best players for the Swans were Hawkins, Ethan Albrecht, Alex Morcom, Kobi Taylor, Jack Bacon, Jeff Reitschel and returning ruckman, Floyd Fulton, who gave Lachie Channing and company, first use of the footy.
Ex-Bairnsdale player, Oscar Pike, Brayden Radford, Nathan Dean, Willmott, Caleb Crofts and Charlie Mein were all prominent for the Gulls.
Last year’s runner-up Boisdale Briagolong shook off a determined Lindenow in the second half to win by 42 points at home.
The scores were all tied at half time, before the Bombers flexed their muscles in the second half, kicking 11 goals to four.
Despite losing the competition’s leading goal kicker, Caleb Calwyn to Maffra, the Bombers found plenty of avenues to goal.
Skipper Jimmy Reeves slotted four, well supported by new recruits, Jesse Bedggood (Heyfield) and Trayvon Stretch, who booted three each.
Stretch played mainly forward and will assist a fit and available Matt Wilkinson in this season.
Darren Allan is a welcome addition up forward this season for the Cats, and it was great to see the wizard up and about, finishing with three goals.
Among the best for the Bombers were Cal Egan, Kelvin Porter, Wilkinson, Reeves, Nick Marshall and hard nut Rhys Johnson.
The Cats were well served by Todd Alexander, coach Brett Waddell, giant ruckman, Kevin Bongers, Peter Harrison, Allen and Joshua Onley.
NETBALL
Reigning premier, Stratford, showed it will again be a force to be reckoned with, eclipsing Paynesville by 52 goals to show the competition it is up and about.
New Lucknow coach, Erica Lynch, was a winner first time out, her side getting over the line over a persistent Orbost by just four goals.
Wy Yung was much too good for a rebuilding Lakes Entrance, while Boisdale Briagolong outpointed Lindenow late to win by five goals.
THIS WEEK
It will be another big round of matches, with the local derby round highlighted by the clash between two first round winners in Stratford who will host Boisdale Briagolong.
Both sides were ultra impressive and will be keen to learn more about themselves against a more highly credentialed opponent.
Lindenow is at home to Wy Yung, the Cats showed last week they are going to be competitive, it will be interesting to see how many quarters they can match the Tigers.
Lakes will host Orbost, who showed plenty in the opening round against the buzz side, Lucknow.
The Seagulls will be keen to get the ball forward quickly to gun forward Hudson, who showed he is capable of kicking a bag and winning his side plenty of matches, if given the opportunity.
Lucknow is at home and should be too good for an injury depleted Paynesville.
