Wy Yung moved to the top of the East Gippsland Football Netball League ladder with an emphatic demolition of the previously unbeaten Lucknow on Saturday at the Bullumwaal Road Reserve.
The Tigers broke the game open in the second quarter with five unanswered goals, to open up a 35-point half time lead by half time.
The events of the second quarter came as a bit of shock, after the Magpies dominated inside 50s in the first term, but weren’t able to capitalise where it mattered most, on the scoreboard, trailing by six points.
Lucknow looked to have a significant height and weight advantage up forward, but were unable to convert that to goals, a combination of poor delivery and fast closing speed of the Tiger defenders, restricting the impact of players like Dallas Smith, Jake Richards and Bayley Croucher.
Both sides had a lively target up forward, Jack Betts finishing with four for the Tigers and John Gooch, three for the Magpies, both had plenty of opportunities and probably should have finished with bigger tallies.
Wy Yung was often able to isolate Jack Betts which made life hard for his direct opponent, Jessie Pescod.
The mercurial Nathan Dennison was sensational for the Tigers in the second term, as always getting enormous value from every position, his goal from the Eastwood pocket a goal of the year contender.
Nicholas George was prolific in centre for the Magpies, knocking up possessions at will as he continually gets to every stoppage, his work rate not missing a beat over four tough quarters in hot conditions.
Nat Sommerville and Normie Betts continue to play above their height in the back half for Wy Yung, almost unbeatable when the ball is on the deck.
The Magpies played their best football in the second half, outscoring the Tigers by five goals to three, but the horse had well and truly bolted, Wy Yung home by 23, the reigning premier back on top of the table, the position it has occupied for close to three years now.
Other good players for the Tigers were Bayden Ashwood, Harry Kellow and Ridge Peters in his most significant contribution since arriving at Tigerland in the pre-season.
Nick Ward played his first game since returning from Bairnsdale and impressed on a wing, as did Luke Elia on the opposite wing.
Joel McNamara, skipper Jesse Glassborow, veteran Andrew Nelson and youngsters Jack Saulle and Nick Mooney were among the best for the Magpies.
Orbost Snowy Rovers overcame a persistent Lindenow at Lochiel Park, the Blues maintaining their top four position on the ladder.
Despite being winless in season 2024, the Cats have only really been annihilated by one side, Wy Yung, taking the battle up to most sides, winning plenty of quarters and always looking like a win is near.
Playing with plenty of confidence and still on a high from last weeks exciting last second win over Boisdale Briagolong, the Blues were out of the blocks, quickly kicking five goals to two in the first term, establishing a handy 23-point buffer.
To its credit, Lindenow showed plenty of fight and grit in the middle two quarters, matching Orbost in all vital indicators, including the scoreboard, with both combatants registering eight majors.
The Cats midfield is full of riches, Justin Gould, David Donchi and coach Brett Waddell all tough adversaries as individuals, let alone as a midfield combination.
Orbost persisted and with its new found belief, going to another gear, which would have impressed coach, Peter Seal, finishing the last quarter full of running, booting six goals to three six goals, to win by 47 points.
With skipper, Hamish Nettleton, missing the match, brother Curtley stepped up, relishing the opportunity to be the main spearhead, his efforts rewarded with four goals.
Tommy Smith’s form continues to build after a delayed start to the season with a finger injury, he kicked three goals in a best on ground performance.
Orbost was also delighted to get some goals from its talented small forwards, with fleet footed brothers, Lachlan and Mitchell Fenner, kicking three and two respectively.
Wes Russell was back to his best, controlling the ruck contests, with skipper Braeden Ross again explosive from the stoppages.
Sean Nippress and Jordan Ross were again impressive in the back half, rarely if ever out marked.
Cooper Shaw, Todd Alexander. Peter Harrison (three), Kayden Harrison, young ruckman Alexander Stanton and the busy Kyle Holmes were all serviceable for the Cats.
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From page 44
Stratford proved too good for Lakes Entrance, winning by 30 at the Lakeside Oval.
After an emotional pre-game ceremony to honour the Sir Doug Nicholls round, where a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony was conducted by Aunty Lisa and supported by former Seagull premiership player, Chris Andy, the players certainly took the message on board, “Spirit Strong, Game on”.
The healthy crowd at the match again got to witness the extraordinary talent of marquee Lakes forward, Tom Hudson, who kicked eight of the Seagulls 12 goals, taking his seasons total to 28, placing him clearly at top of the competitions goal kicking.
Hudson kicking, although not always accurate is a delight to watch, the ball covering great distances with minimal effort and hang time.
The Swans backline was a feature of their match play for a number of seasons, having no answer for the poise and class of exciting youngster who Bairnsdale had ear marked for big things.
Hudson is the type of player that Seagull coach, Ben Rotheram (two goals), will look to build a team around in the coming seasons.
Stratford led by a goal at quarter time and 20 points at half time, Swans midfield that contains classy units like, Lachlan Channing, Jack Bacon and the French brothers, Harry Langford, skipper Nick and Nathan active and up and about against talented Seagull midfielders led by skippers Angus McKenzie and Liam Carroll.
To their credit, the Seagulls never gave up, practically matching the Swans on the scoreboard in the second half.
Channing and Will Webb both kicked three goals each for the Swans who were well served by Langford, Ryan Thatcher, Nick French, Floyd Fulton, Nathan French and Lachlan Channing.
Carroll, Hudson, Sam East, McKenzie, Joe Clifford and former Swan Reach player Andrew Rimmer all played their hearts out for the Seagulls.
Boisdale Briagolong outclassed a depleted Paynesville by 20 goals at AJ Freeman Reserve.
The Gulls, with 13 senior players on the sidelines, were no match for the Bomber onslaught which includes 11 final term majors in a quarter that went closer to 40 minutes than 30.
Skipper and goal sneak, Jimmy Reeves led the scoring with eight, while the rejuvenated Cal Egan and coach Sam Bedggood, kicked four and three respectively.
Matt Wilkinson was outstanding in the ruck for the Bombers, who had a plethora of good players to choose from, including Paddy Mack, Junior Bradshaw, Nick Marshall, Tom Jolly, Daniel Johnson and Broden Kewish.
Paynesville battled hard in the first half but ran out of legs in the second half , Caleb Crofts, Charles Mein, Jordan Ray, Matt Golding, Harry Gibbs and Logan Brown all trying hard against a relentless Bomber outfit.
THIS WEEK
Boisdale Briagolong v Wy Yung
Lindenow v Paynesville
Lucknow v Lakes Entrance
Stratford v Orbost Snowy Rovers
