Bairnsdale moved back into the top five of the with a stunning 61-point Gippsland League annihilation of arch rival Sale last Saturday at the Bairnsdale City Oval.
The Redlegs dominated the clash from the opening minutes, playing a dry weather brand of football in wet and slippery conditions, completing its best performance under coach Logan Austin, who is in the third year of his tenure.
Bairnsdale went into the match under pressure, knowing that although they had been victorious four times already this season, defeat would see them drop eight points out of the top five, making a finals campaign tough work.
Bairnsdale’s midfield, led by Will Mitchell (23 disposals and seven clearances) asserted its dominance early and extracted some vital clearances, working the ball forward to danger man Brayden McCarrey who kicked three goals in the first nine minutes of the game as the Redlegs quickly slipped away to a five-goal advantage. McCarrey made light work of first opponent, Jake Hutchins, teenager Harry Tatterson assigned the job inside the first 10 minutes, though one did wonder why high profile ex-AFL player Derek Eggmolesse-Smith wasn’t given a crack at the fleet footed goal kicking genius.
McCarrey showed the large and appreciative crowd who were in attendance for the annual MND fundraiser match all his exquisite skills, kicking four goal of the day contenders, using both feet from set shots and sensational snaps.
Sale had no answer for the dangerous small forward, who leads the league goalkicking with 33 goals, as he got a constant supply from an impenetrable half backline led by Austin (26), who was well supported by 100-game player, Ricky Tatnell, Keiran Vickery (21), the consistent Randall Stewart and Hugh Longbottom.
They all linked with the hard-running Cooper Harvey (26) and Lachlan Byrne-Jones, who never plays a bad game.
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From page 48
The tide turned in the latter half of the first quarter, imposing ruckman Jack Leslie and key player Shannon Lange (34) starting to get their hands on the ball, combining well with the clever Hudson Holmes (25), kicking three goals in time on to cut the deficit back to just 12 points.
It was a good result for Sale given the early dominance of the Redlegs, their first 10 inside 50 entries resulting in five goals.
Sale coach Jack Johnstone challenged his players to be proactive not reactive at the quarter time break as Austin asked his backline to tighten up, happy that 90 per cent of the plan had been executed.
Sale kicked the first major of the second quarter to draw within a goal, Mitch Dowse snapping truly under pressure as Lange continued to rack up the possessions.
The goal spurred the Redlegs into action as they dominated the remainder of the quarter.
kicking four unanswered goals, Mitchell, Link McKenna and Byrne-Jones feasting on the offerings of big man Ethan East who was taking the challenge right up to the Leslie.
When the ball went forward it was all McCarrey, the clever goal sneak adding three for the quarter as the hapless Tatterson had no answer.
There were signs of frustration among the Magpies, missing key players like Johnstone and younger brother of Leslie, Will, the unexpected Redlegs onslaught was beginning to take its toll.
Bairnsdale was playing quick, effective football, even though persistent drizzle was marring the spectacle. The lead was five goals at the long break.
The third quarter was entertaining for a variety of reasons, not even a parochial Redlegs fan could have predicted what eventuated.
Bairnsdale added eight goals to one as persistent rain drove the spectators under cover, the Redlegs handling the ball like it was dry summer’s day.
Sale captain Leslie continued to get frustrated and was becoming undisciplined, eventually glancing Kieran Vickery with a forearm which resulted in a report and 15 minutes on the sidelines.
Vickery would leave the field with a bloodied nose, but would return later, while McKenna was involved in an accidental head clash with Leslie, however was not as lucky, a broken cheekbone requiring surgery after the match.
With Leslie on the sindlines, East began to dominate, treating any replacements with contempt and putting on a clinic.
His long taps to the half forwards and precision work at the feet of Mitchell and Matt Corbett creating numerous opportunities for the grateful Bairnsdale forwards.
Youngster Jonah Walker impressed kicking two goals for the quarter, while Oscar Clarke added his second, impressing many with his work rate.
The highlight of the quarter was McCarrey slotting a left foot dribble kick from the pocket, his seventh of the afternoon.
Most players and spectators witnessed a rare feat as McCarrey had never used his left for anything other than balance in his career to date.
Players ran from everywhere shortly after when Corbett kicked a sensational goal, the popular clubman, who lost his father to MND, delighted to back out in the middle after watching the initial two MND matches from the coach’s box with concussion issues.
McCarrey’s eighth rounded out the quarter as Ben Hall became his new opponent, the Redlegs leading by a game high 74-point margin at the final change.
With the damage done in the premiership quarter, Bairnsdale took the foot off the pedal and allowed Sale to outscore them in the last.
Lange, Holmes and Dowse never gave up for the visitors while Bairnsdale was best served by the miraculous McCarrey up front, as well as strong games from the half back line led by Austin and Kieran Vickery, while the small men in Byrne-Jones, Corbett and Mitchell won plenty of possessions.
Bairnsdale had winners all over the ground and it was arguably their best team performance in years.
RESERVES
Bairnsdale ran out easy winners in the reserves, consolidating their hold on third place on the ladder.
The Redlegs got home by 41 points with Damon O’Connor and Logan Dunkley kicking two goals, while Sale could only manage two goals as a team.
Among the best players were Liam Bleyswyk, Stratford’s Jack Bacon, O’Connor, Joshua Lando, Bryce Lind and Reece Carstairs.
THIRDS
Bairnsdale registered its third win of the season in the under 18s, gaining a break in second term
off the back of four unanswered goals.
The Redlegs hung on to win by 14 points from the gallant Magpies, with Jadah Frith kicking three goals and Lindenow’s Jeffrey Walker junior slotting two.
Max Neate, Oliver Emmett, Tarkyn Scott, Brayden Fenner, Frith and Michael Dunstan all led the way for the Redlegs.
FOURTHS
The fifth placed Redlegs have established an eight-point gap on the ladder, after a spectacular
come-from-behind win over the Magpies who looked home when they held a 23-point advantage in a low scoring match at three quarter time.
Bairnsdale kicked four unanswered goals in the final term, keeping the Pies scoreless to win by three points.
Archer Crawley, Xavier Morrison, Luca Desio, Jobe Froud, Harry McGuinn and Chidi Otuonye all had solid four-quarter performances for the Redlegs.
THIS WEEK
The Redlegs trek down the highway this week to Traralgon, the venue of a huge victory for the club last season when their backs were to the wall.
This time Bairnsdale will make the trip high on confidence, knowing they pushed the Maroons in round one and they have certainly taken their game to another level in the ensuing eight weeks.
It looms as a huge game, with a victory setting the Redlegs up for a big season.
