Bairnsdale is still alive in the Gippsland League football finals after two hard-fought victories by the reserves and under 16s in the first week of the finals.
The reserves will travel to Leongatha on Saturday to tackle the unbeaten Parrots after beating a gallant Maffra at the Maffra Showgrounds.
In a game heavily affected by the strong winds that are hindering the region, Bairnsdale kicked three of its four goals for the match in an inspired third term.
With the Eagles going home with the wind, they had several opportunities to bounce back in the final term, but could manage only five points, as the Redlegs held on by 11 points, in a match that only yielded six goals.
Among the best for the Redlegs were Liam Bleyswyk, Max Neate, Jamie Dore, Bryan Froud, Charlie Mann and Tom Selleck.
Former Lindenow player, Luke Dyer, was named among the best players for the Eagles.
The under 16s were 31-point winners over Wonthaggi at the Bairnsdale City Oval on Sunday, the Power not kicking their first goal in gale force winds until the final term.
The young Redlegs now face another cut-throat final against Maffra at Ted Sommerton Reserve in Moe on Sunday.
Bairnsdale set the win up with three goals with the breeze in the first quarter, before defending grimly in quarters two and four.
Chidi Otuonye and Albie Clarke both kicked two goals for the Redlegs, with the better players being, Kael Frith, Jobe Froud, Douglas Ashby, Otuonye, Harry McGuinn, Luca Desion and Clarke.
