| EAST GIPPSLAND NEWSPAPERS 10 EGFNL WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2024 Tigers outclass plucky Swans An impressive Wy Yung eliminated Stratford in a cut-throat East Gippsland Football Netball League elimination final at the Bairnsdale City Oval last Sunday by 23 points. The Tigers lined up with their best side for the season, regular senior players Jai Nichols, Marcus Savage, Jim Healey and Andrew Thomson taking the field in the reserves. Stratford went in with its new-look forward setup led by Jack Bacon (six goals), with Jack Schultz, Dylan O'Shanassy and Tim Hawkins missing through injury. After a dominant second term from Wy Yung and the third term which was little more than an arm wrestle, the Tigers began the final term with a 21-point lead and the wind at their backs. Swans coach Gavin O'Shanassy challenged his side to keep their season alive, insisting they had worked too hard to roll over in the final 30 minutes. His speech obviously hit deep as Stratford seized the initial clearance of the final term, Jack Rietschel finding Ryan Thatcher who cleverly slotted his second major of the day. Harry Kellow (four) replied quickly for the Tigers after combining with Bayden Ashwood and Aaron Hanuera. For the first time all day the 50-50 umpiring decisions seemed to go the way of Stratford, which was evident by them receiving 14 free kicks to three in the final term, coming out on top in the count 28-25. Rodney O'Keefe played on quickly after being rewarded for a great tackle, finding the dangerous Bacon, who caused plenty of headaches for Jobe Somerville. O'Keefe was worn closely by Joel Waters throughout the match, while Nate Somerville matched up on the dangerous Will Webb. Bacon narrowed the margin back to 15 points and it was back to just four points when he kicked his third goal in just four minutes. Again Kellow was the go-to man for the Tigers, enjoying some more time forward with Josh Broome playing a tagging on role on the dangerous Lachie Channing, Kellow nonchalantly converting from 45 metres to restore some order. As the game ticked into time on it was another unselfish act from best on ground Norm Betts, a chase and smoother on centre wing resulting in a quick turnover, which saw the ball in the hands of Ridge Peters (two) who slotted the sealer. Peters, who usually operates down back but was without a suitable match up, spent the afternoon in a number of unfamiliar roles, including the ruck and as a forward, his two goals on Swans premiership coach, Jarryd Clohesy, a good return. Luke Elia rammed home the advantage shortly after as for the first time during the afternoon the Stratford players' heads dropped. There was plenty of excitement in the Wy Yung rooms as coach Rod Bills encouraged his players to focus on their recovery with a big game just six days away. Bills was upbeat about his side's performance and what lies ahead. "It's great to finally beat a side on the other side of the Avon River, Boisdale and Stratford have been our nemesis this season," Bills said. Obviously it's a big task to win the flag from outside the top two, but Bills put a good spin on it post game. "The beauty of our predicament is that to win the flag we will have to beat the three other sides in the top four, in an even season that will make it huge," Bills said. Earlier in the match Wy Yung dominated the inside 50s in the first term 17 to six, but it was Stratford who lead at the initial break by two points after maximising their forward entries. The Tigers coaching staff pulled the first surprise of the day with Norm Betts lining up in the centre before drifting back a kick behind play where he was dominant for four quarters. He was equally as effective sharking the taps of Tiger giant Brad Daniel and his opponent Floyd Fulton. They had a great dual with Daniel getting the better around the ground, though the big Swan certainly wasn’t disgraced, taking some timely marks in the final term. Bills was delighted with Broome's job on Channing, who still got plenty of the football, but didn't burst from the centre like he usually does, the close checking resulting in plenty of handballs out to players such as Alex Morcom and Ryan Thatcher. Nathan French got the big job on Jack Betts, holding him goalless. Bacon kicked the first goal of the match before having to wait another 11 minutes for the ball to go back inside 50, where he again marked and converted confidently. Kellow got Wy Yung's first and Tommy Stephenson the second after a clever assist from Jack Betts. Jock Overend was getting plenty of ball forward for the Tigers, while Nathan Dennison always looked dangerous and used the ball with class and poise. Many Tiger attacks throughout the afternoon were repelled by Lewis Bolton, whose attack on the footy was only matched by Norm Betts. Thatcher's late goal gave the Swans a surprise lead given the Tiger dominance. Buoyed by the late goal and a tune up from coach O'Shanassy the Swans came out with more purpose and when busy young wingman Jackson Cottrell goaled the lead was out to 10 points. The first 10 minutes of the term belonged to Stratford, but the Tigers found their mojo in the second half, kicking six unanswered goals to open up a decisive 28-point buffer at half time. The run began when the clever Kellow goaled after roving the pack cleverly after another huge inside 50 kick from Norm Betts. Broome got on the board shortly after, courtesy of a 50-50 sling tackle. The Tiger army was up and about again inside a minute when Jack Betts handballed to Peters, who converted cleverly. Ashwood made the most of a free before Dennison kicked a goal that most people would find hard. Brodie Anderson, who was having a good battle with Rietschel, finished off the onslaught deep in time on. Rietschel looked much more at home at half back than on the wing, finding it easier to get onto his trusty left boot. He was also opposed to Jack Halabut who played a terrific game. The third quarter was an arm wrestle, the Swans managing to kick two goals with the breeze while the Tigers could add only one. Both sides tackled strongly in the third term as the defensive lines got on top, Bolton and Norm Betts dominating across half back for their respective outfits. Tom Betts snuck down from half back, where he had been busy, to kick the Tigers' only major for the term while Morcom converted for the Swans after Norm Betts conceded a 50 metre penalty. Bacon was again to the fore soon after, finishing off the work of Bolton and Rietschel. Best players for the Tigers were Norm Betts, Kellow, Daniel, Joel Waters, Tom Betts, Dennison and Overend. Stratford was well served by Bolton, Channing, Bacon, Nathan French and Harry Langford. FINAL SCORES Wy Yung 2.6 8.7 9.7 13.10 (88) Stratford 3.2 4.3 6.4 10.5 (65) GOALS – Wy Yung: H. Kellow 4; R. Peters 2; B. Anderson, B. Ashwood, T. Betts, J. Broome, N. Dennison, L. Elia, T. Stephenson. Stratford: J. Bacon 6; R. Thatcher 2; J. Cottrell, A. Morcom. BEST – Wy Yung: B. Daniel, J. Waters, N. Betts, H. Kellow, N. Dennison, J. Overend. Stratford: L. Channing, J. Bacon, L. Bolton, H. Langford, C. Dixon, J. Cottrell. Stratford’s Jarryd Clohesy and Wy Yung Brodie Anderson had eyes locked on each other rather than the ball in during the Tigers elimination semi final win over the Swans at City Oval last Sunday. Wy Yung’s Harry Kellow celebrates one of his four goals. 149 Macleod Street, Bairnsdale | eastgippslandmyotherapy.com.au • TRIGGER POINT THERAPY • DRY NEEDLING • MASSAGE • CUPPING HOT & COLD THEAPIES • STRETCHING • KINGSTON TAPING • PNF STRETCHING • INSTRUMENT ASSISTED • SOFT TISSUE MOBILISATION FEELING THE PAIN AFTER A BIG GAME? Soft Tissue sport injury Specialist Call Aaron today or scan to book Hope all the teams & umpires have a successful day! PH: 0412 622 404
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