Boisdale Briagolong defeated ladder leader Wy Yung in a gruelling round eight East Gippsland football contest last Saturday at Boisdale.
The 16-point victory by the Bombers has seen the Tigers reign at the top of the ladder ended after just one week.
Wy Yung now sits in second place behind Lucknow, one of three sides on six wins, ahead of Boisdale Briagolong and Stratford on percentage.
Both sides went in with key players on the sidelines through injury and unavailability but nonetheless fancied their chances of winning what was predicted to be a tough contest.
The Bombers dominated the first quarter with ruckman Matt Wilkinson getting his hand on the footy first at the numerous stoppages that were brought about by playing a tough and tight contest on an oval made for combative battles.
Wilkinson regularly found gun Bomber Kelvin Porter who brought hard running teammates like Tom Jolly and Jackson Glenane into the fold.
Jesse Bedggood (four goals) was the beneficiary of plenty of early opportunities to convert, regularly hit on the chest,with his direct opponent Joel Waters having little or no chance to intercept.
Matthew Hinks and the rejuvenated Callan Egan were also prominent early and throughout the afternoon.
But the Bombers’ radar was totally off and the when Jack Betts converted on the quarter time siren for the Tigers, after only their third inside 50 for the quarter, the five-point lead was flattering the Tigers big time.
Tigers coach Rod Bills took all his allotted time at the break and the 2023 premier came out with a renewed vigour, playing its best football for the match.
Bills made a few changes, trying key forward Brad Daniel in the backline, maybe trying to quell the influence of Jesse Bedggood, who continued to have trouble converting.
Unfortunately for the Tigers exciting youngster Tommy Stephenson was ruled out for the game in the second term when his shoulder popped out, the high leaping Stephenson had been competing manfully in the ruck against the rampant Wilkinson.
The Tigers kicked three goals to two for the term, with key players Nathan Dennison and skipper Jock Overend getting their share of ball in the midfield.
Norm Betts went forward for the Tigers, a spectacular soccer volley goal just before half time giving them a one-point lead at the main break, but the match appeared to be very much on even keel.
Bombers skipper Jim Reeves (two goals) was having an intriguing battle with creative Nate Sommerville, the young Tiger taking the points on the day but lacking his usual creative run and carry.
With the inclement weather circling, the wind got up and saw the Bombers kicking to the clubrooms end, with the assistance of a three to four-goal breeze.
The Bombers dominated the quarter, continually kicking the ball forward, sometimes without system, looking to cash in on any advantage.
When Porter goaled from 60 metres from a set shot, that went through post high, the Bombers were 18 points in front playing with plenty of belief.
Jesse Bedggood converted from outside 50 shortly after but much to the angst of the Bomber faithful it was disallowed, a free paid against coach Sam Bedggood for an errant body blow.
A late goal from Tiger forward Jake Anderson saw the margin just 11 points at the final break.
An early goal from Shaymus Wain, a consistent performer all day, gave the Bombers some breathing space, but an Aaron Hanuera goal shortly after restored the margin.
Play stopped for five minutes mid quarter when Jesse Bedggood suffered a serious knee injury that may have major implications for the Bombers going forward given he is their prime target in most attacks.
Both sides rallied and regrouped at the break, but the Bombers stood firm hanging on to win a game that they were entitled to win easier given their dominance across the field.
The Marshall brothers were superb in defence all day for the winners, making life tough for Jack Betts and Daniel.
They were ably assisted by best on ground Porter, Wilkinson, Jolly, Jesse Bedggood, Hinks, Wain and Glenane.
The Betts brothers, Norm and Tom, led the way for Tigers, who got good contributions from Somerville, Ridge Peters, Andrew Thomson and Overend.
