Wy Yung, Lucknow and Boisdale Briagolong all remain unbeaten after two rounds of the East Gippsland Football Netball League (EGFNL).
Boisdale Briagolong was too good for neighbour Stratford, relishing the big expanses of the Stratford Recreation Reserve, dominating the middle two quarters, kicking six goals to two, running out easy 34-point winners.
The recruiting of Jesse Bedggood from Heyfield has immediately paid dividends, with the lively forward, kicking five goals to take his seasons total to eight.
Skipper Jim Reeves was again busy up forward slotting three, while at the other end, Stratford’s first round star, Tim Hawkins was kept goalless by the ageless Andrew Quirk.
Matt Wilkinson dominated in the ruck for the Bombers, combining well with Kel Porter and Jackson Glenane, while veteran Cal Egan was again named among the best.
Jack Bacon led the way for the Swans, incurring the wrath of the Johnsons twins, in a prolific afternoon at office.
He was joined in the best by Alex Morcom and defenders, Jack Rietschel, Roydon Fulton, Brodey Reid.
Orbost Snowy Rovers has recorded its first win of the season, impressively beating traditional rival, Lakes Entrance at the Lakeside Oval.
Honourable losers in round one to buzz side, Lucknow, the Blues were keen to bank some points in round two and were quickly out of the blocks.
Orbost dominated the first term, kicking five unanswered goals, as it dominated the clearances and across half back, the defenders job made easier by the level of pressure put on the ball carrier on every Seagull entry inside 50.
The tall Blues forwards were unstoppable all day, Hamish Nettleton booting four goals, with brother Curtley and resting ruckman, Wes Russell both slotting three each.
Angered by the first term effort of his side, Lakes Entrance coach, Ben Rotheram, read the riot act to his troops and they certainly rallied, matching the Blues in the second term, the half time lead 31 points.
Rotheram was inspirational all day up forward for his side, booting five goals in a spirited dual with the exuberant Jarrah Nettleton.
The Blues upped the tempo in the third term, kicking six goals to one, switching the ball at will and kicking the ball in long to the three tall targets.
On numerous occasions the ball found its way into the hand of the smooth moving Max Welsh who used precision kicking to continually find the correct option.
The Seagulls made plenty of forward forays but they were easily mopped up by Welsh, Clancy Bennett, Jordan Ross and Sean Nippress.
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Braeden Ross was back to his explosive best, feasting on the ruck work of Russell and youngster Will Walker.
The Seagulls were gallant and never gave up, playing their best football in the final term, kicking five goals to one, eventually succumbing by 40 points.
The last quarter fade out will give coach Peter Seal something to focus on at training this week.
Best for the Blues were Welsh, Cody Robertson, Curtley Nettleton, Jamieson
Humphreys, Mitchell Dignan and Jordan Ross, while for the Seagulls it was Rotheram, debutante George Ioakim, skipper Angus McKenzie, Matthew Duggan, half back Tyrone Hayes and Jordan Clarke.
Reigning premier, Wy Yung, outclassed a developing Lindenow by 98 points, with the Tigers not short of avenues to goal.
Bayden Ashwood led the way with four goals, Brad Daniel and Norm Betts kicking three each, with the classy Nathan Dennison, Brodie Anderson and Jack Betts all finishing with two.
It was Anderson’s last match for the season as he embarks on a English cricket sojourn, hoping to carry on from his outstanding season with West Bairnsdale which saw him an integral part of the clubs premiership.
Despite losing plenty of players over the off season, the Tigers appear to have be still well placed to challenge for back to back flags, with Josh Broome, Joel Waters and Jim Healey all among the best on Saturday, none of which were out there for the 2023 finale.
Other good players for Tigers were Sam Stewart, Daniel, Jack Betts and Ashwood.
The Cats are rebuilding and have plenty of quality youngsters from last year’s third premiership side at their disposal, one of those Latrell Harrison, who was busy up forward kicking three goals.
While the better players were mix of youth and experience, including former coach, Justin Gould, skipper Patrick Alexander, current coach Brett Waddell, exciting youngster Cooper Shaw, rugby convert Lucas Lakay and debutante Jeffrey Walker junior.
Lucknow went on its winning way, proving too strong for Paynesville, who is currently decimated by injuries, with quality players like Ben McKinnon, Harry Gibb and Jack Haslam watching from the sidelines.
The Magpies kicked 11 goals to two in the final three quarters to win by 69 points at Freeman Reserve.
It hasn’t taken John Gooch (four goals) and Nick George (three) long to adapt to EGFNL football, both enjoying the wide expanses the Paynesville Oval offers.
With some minor injuries last week, a slight reshuffle of the points, Lucknow coach, Shaun Mooney returned to the fray, the Magpies playing with more discipline than the precious week against Orbost Snowy Rovers.
Better players for the Magpies were George, Jesse Glassborow, Joel Mcnamara, Nick Mooney, Gooch and Glen Perkins.
Harper Lamperd, Alex McLaren, Oscar Pike, Brayden Radford, Lewis Smith, Boris Bryant were all serviceable for the Gulls.
NETBALL
Lucknow and Wy Yung are the only unbeaten sides in “A” grade netball after the weekends round of matches.
Boisdale Briagolong opened its account knocking off last year’s premier, Stratford by 26 goals, with Elly Weatherley, Emily Porter and Rachel Weatherley all outstanding.
Better players for the Swans were Skyla White, Paris Toner and Mahli Oldham.
Lucknow went on its winning way under new coach Erica Lynch, eclipsing Paynesville by 55 goals, with Ash Coates and Macy Tatnell pivotal.
Wy Yung defeated Lindenow by 10 goals, while Orbost got off to a good start against Lakes Entrance and maintained it throughout, winning by nine goals.
Best players for the Blues were Jewel Catlin and Courtney Wade, while for the Seagulls it was Meika Pitt and Tilly Richardson.
