| EAST GIPPSLAND NEWSPAPERS 12 EGFNL WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28, 2024 Tantalising prelims await Boisdale Briagolong and Wy Yung will do battle this Saturday at Lindenow in the East Gippsland Football Netball League preliminary final, with the winner earning the right to tackle Lucknow for 2024 premiership honours. Boisdale Briagolong, Wy Yung and Lucknow have been around the pointy end of the ladder all season, with plenty of swapping and changing of positions, the Bombers and the Magpies eventually locking away the two key double chance spots, the Tigers needing to go the long way round if they are to make it back-toback flags under Rod Bills. The Bombers, who have had the better of Wy Yung in both meetings (16 and 29 points) this season, will need to regroup quickly after last Saturday's agonising loss to Lucknow, with only two points separating the sides when the final siren sounded. Another statistic in favour of the Bombers is that only two minor premiers have gone out in straight sets this century, the last being Wy Yung in 2012. Wy Yung fielded its best side for the year last Saturday and showed plenty of fight when challenged in the final term by a determined Stratford. The Tigers, who were beaten on both occasions in the home and away matches by both Stratford and Boisdale Briagolong, took plenty of heart from the win, having finally beaten one of the sides from the west. Both teams have come through the weekend's matches relatively unscathed, though promising Boisdale youngster Shaquille Coridas will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a concussion incident in the qualifying final. His likely replacement should come from either James Whelan or Matt Hinks, who both will fit back into the line with minimum fuss. Both sides have plenty of depth in their line-up, the Tigers having players of the calibre of Jai Nicholls, Marcus Savage, Jim Healey, Andrew Thomson and Craig Froud in their reserves last weekend. Norm Betts was a surprise packet at the centre bounces last Sunday and it looks likely he will play a similar role this week, making for a tantalising possible match up with Bomber gun Kel Porter. One advantage of playing Betts in the middle last week was it freed Harry Kellow up to play more time forward, coach Bills and assistants rewarded with four goals from the co-skipper. Kellow works well in tandem with Wy Yung full forward Jack Betts who will be keen to bounce back after going goalless last week. It also allows the dangerous Nathan Dennison to work forward, where he is particularly dangerous anywhere inside the arc. Josh Broome was used as a tagger for the Tigers last week, cutting the effective run and carry of league best and fairest winner, Lachlan Channing, who still got plenty of football but wasn't at his damaging best. Broome may get a run-with role on Porter, whose creativity around clearances brings players like Jackson Glenane and the dangerous Tom Jolly into play. The Tigers' other co-captain, Jock Overend, had an exceptional first half last week and he will be looking for another good match this week, with the clearances looking to be crucial. The ruck dual between Matt Wilkinson and Brad Daniel looms as pivotal. Wilkinson has been superb all season but has faced some challenges over the past few weeks from players like emerging Lucknow ruck/forward Jake Richards. Having played predominately as a forward in recent seasons, Daniel has improved in his ruck role over the past month and claimed Wilkinson's scalp last time the two sides met. There was plenty of angst last time the sides met with the bigger bodied Bombers trying to bully the Tigers, with some success. Both backlines are strong and offer up plenty of run, the Marshall brothers - Billy, Nick and Ryan - complement the spoiling process of Andrew Quirk. The Johnson brothers - Rhys and Daniel - offer plenty of grunt, as does hardman Paddy Mack. Boisdale Briagolong's small forward structure has been the key to its success in the second half of the season with skipper Jim Reeves, receiving plenty of scoreboard assistance from the rejuvenated Cal Egan, Tim Dessent, Jolly and coach Sam Bedggood. They are sure to be well guarded by the Somerville brothers Jobe and Nate - Joel Waters, while Tom Betts and Mitch Toms provide plenty of run and carry, which could be important to compensate if the Bombers get on top through the middle. It's a mouth-watering contest with two sides who looked set to be playing off for ultimate glory, now needing to rack up another win to take on Lucknow, who wait patiently with high expectations of their own. RESERVES RIPPER In the reserves minor premier, Lucknow will be looking to bounce back after suffering only its second loss of the season in the qualifying to Boisdale Briagolong. They can expect a close tussle from Stratford who will go in full of confidence after thrashing the big improver in the second half of the season, Wy Yung, last week. Woodside recruit Chris Webb was unstoppable up forward and again looms as the dangerman. If can get on a roll like he did last week an upset by the Swans is possible. Arch rivals Lakes Entrance and Orbost Snowy Rovers clash in the thirds with the Blues holding a 2-1 advantage in matches played this year, but the Lakes will go in confident having won the most recent tussle when they had their best side in for the year. Both sides are in good form the Seagulls showing last week they can trouble Lindenow when it goes right, while the Blues were impressive against a persistent Bombers team. NETBALL The "A" grade contest creates plenty of interest with the Tigers needing to regroup quickly to beat Orbost Snowy Rovers who were impressive betting a good side in Boisdale Briagolong during last Sunday's elimination semi. The Lucknow-Wy Yung grand final has looked a lock for months, but the Tigers were below par last week. In their favour is they have handled the Blues with aplomb this season and their best is certainly superior. Maybe some anxious moments early, but if the Tiger machine gets in overdrive, the Blues are in trouble. In "B" grade Wy Yung takes on Lakes Entrance, the Seagulls winning their most recent contest in the final home and away round, while in "C' grade the Tigers are once again represented, going head-to-head with Stratford. Boisdale Briagolong will be looking to bounce back against the Seagulls in "D" grade and the Tigers in the under 17s. Everyone's second favourite team, the Paynesville under 15s, will be hoping to give their supporters something to cheer about when they take on Lucknow. Tyla Alvin’s Wy Yung takes on Orbost Snowy in the “A” grade netball prelim this Saturday at Lindenow. K114-0578 ORDER YOUR COPY newspaperphotos.com.au A rejuvenated Cal Egan has played a key role in Boisdale Briagolong’s forward half and he will be required to have a big game if the Bombers are to beat Wy Yung in the preliminary final and book an East Gippsland football grand final berth against Lucknow. K114-1088 FREE PROUD SPONSORS OF THE EGFNL 5145 6169 | STRATFORDMARINE@HOTMAIL.COM | STRATFORDMARINE.COM Goodluck 5152 4030 | 59 Main Street, Bairnsdale To the Lucknow Football & Netball teams in the finals!
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