Despite pushing the Lions right to the wire, Bairnsdale have gone down to nemesis Moe by six points at Ted Summerton Reserve.
It’s now 10 years since the Redlegs defeated the Lions, the loss dropping Bairnsdale to fifth on ladder, but the positives certainly outweighed the negatives.
No more than two goals separated the teams all day, the Redlegs grabbing the early ascendancy and an eight-point quarter time lead.
Things dried up after nine goals in the first term, the visiting Redlegs only managed one behind for the second term as Moe went in with a six-point break at half time.
Moe held sway during the third term, holding an 11-point lead but the Redlegs weren’t done yet.
The Lions kicked three goals in the last quarter, the Redlegs four, Bairnsdale hitting the front before the home side rallied late.
The prolific Tom Blenheim found debutant Jonah Walker (two goals) 16 minutes into the final term as he kicked truly to put the Redlegs in front.
The next three or four minutes of play was all about missed opportunities at both ends before the busy Harrison Sim found Jacob Balfour who put the Lions back in front.
Bairnsdale did not let up however and responded not long after, Blenheim again working his way through a stoppage at the top of the goal square and giving the Redlegs a one-point lead once again.
From the next centre bounce Moe was able to force the ball forward where opportunistic forward Harry Pepper was able to snap the ball through after it had come to ground for his fourth of the afternoon.
The Lions hung on through a tense last five minutes with Moe playing-coach Declan Keilty giant down back, well supported by Luke Mulqueen, Nick Prowse (three goals), Riley Baldi, Harrison Sim and Bryce Collings.
Will Mitchell, Kieran Vickery, Ethan East, Randall Stewart, Blenheim and Cooper Harvey were among the best for the Redlegs.
Bairnsdale registered its fourth win for the season in the reserves, maintaining its hold on third place on the ladder, recording a 19-point win over the Lions with Matthew Hamilton, Charlie Mann, Brandon Sauer, Campbell Moresi and Bryce Lind all playing well.
In the thirds Bairnsdale recorded its second win of the season, a 24-point winner over Moe with Ryan Cullinan, Hamilton, Samuel O’Kelly, Max Neate, Ethan Gallasch and Tarkyn Scott all standouts.
Moe was much too good in the fourths, winning by 50 points, with Angus Tanner, Kael Frith, Jobe Froud, Charles O’Byrne, Wil Malady and Chidi Otuonye all trying hard.
THIS WEEK
It’s another tough assignment for the Redlegs taking on Warragul at Western Park this coming Saturday. After an early win against Wonthaggi in round one, the Gulls have been disappointing, while Bairnsdale will be keen to bank the four points in a match it should be winning.
