The whistles were almost silenced around East Gippsland football ovals last weekend, with only the two games finishing off the EGFNL split round.

Orbost easily accounted for Lindenow, the final scores being 17.9 (111) to 7.7 (49).

Blues brothers Hamish and Curtley Nettleton accounted for 16 of Orbost’s 17 goals, kicking 10 and six respectively, while Jarrah Nettleton was named in the best.

Starting Round 4, Lucknow easily accounted for Lakes Entrance, kicking eight goals to one in the third quarter to give them the win.

Finishing the game strong, Lucknow extended the lead to 122 points at the final siren, 22.22 (154) to 5.2 (32).

After three completed rounds, some predictions can start to be drawn on what may happen at the end of the year.

The goal kicking leader board so far is wide open, with five players in double figures and some big scores being posted.

While Stratford’s Dylan O’Shannasy currently leads with 14, (three clear of second), the majority of his goals have come in games where Stratford has won by 82 and 147 points respectively. Although he is making the most of his opportunities, how he handles the pressure in harder games is the only question at this stage.

Caleb Calwun seems to have slotted in well at Boisdale-Briagolong in his first senior season of football in the EGFNL. Calwyn has managed to rack up 11 goals so far this season, kicking five in a loss against Wy Yung and four in the loss against Lucknow.

Prediction: Caleb Calwyn to win the EGFNL goal kicking.

THE makeup of the top four this year might need to wait until the final round before it is known, with Wy Yung to Lucknow, and Boisdale Briagolong against Stratford, all genuine top four contenders this season.

Reigning premier Stratford has only really had one test so far this season, being Round 1 against Boisdale Briagolong, but with the likes of Reg Tait, Haydn Erfuth and Gavin Bickery likely to come back this season, they are still a genuine contender.

Boisdale-Briagolong could be considered unlucky to be outside the top four at the moment, as their two losses have been by an average of two goals.

With a strong list and a lot of depth, they’ll learn from their losses and look to turn those close games into close wins.

Prediction: Top four (in order) Wy Yung, Boisdale Briagolong, Lucknow, Stratford.

ORBOST Snowy Rovers will be the most improved team this year, predicted to be just outside the top four, finishing fifth. An improvement on last year’s seventh finish where they won only four games.

The Blues will continue from a strong finish to season 2022 and will challenge the top sides this year

At the end of Round 3, 11 players have been named in each of their respective clubs best for each game that’s been played.

With a number of player movements, and new players coming into the competition, it’s no surprise that country football league best and fairests are hard to predict.

Given that the best player generally comes from a side that plays finals, Lucknow trio Joel Mcnamara, Glen Perkins and Jamie Seymour are in with a chance.

Stratford’s latest recruit, midfielder Lachlan Channing, will be up there as well.

Channing has kicked 10 goals so far this season and is currently equal-third in the league goal kicking.

Coming from Gippsland League club Maffra, Channing has stood out on the ground in his three games, drawing the eye of opposition supporters in Stratford’s Round 1 loss to Boisdale Briagolong.

Tom Betts is looking to have a breakout season for Wy Yung.

Betts, having played a handful of games for Gippsland League club Bairnsdale in 2021, is enjoying his second full season back playing senior football at the Tigers.

Prediction: Lachlan Channing to win the EGFNL league best and fairest. Tom Betts runner-up.

LAST, but by no means least, this year’s premier.

There’s a stand out already, and they’ll be hard to beat as they were last year.

Wy Yung have started this year in fine form, with a new coach, and some strong results so far, they’ll be seeking retribution for the runner-up finish last year, after being easily the best side in the home and away season.

Prediction: Wy Yung will be premiers for 2023.