Blake Metclaf-Holt
THE East Gippsland Football Netball League continues to offer surprises, even if everyone knows who are the teams to be taken seriously and who are a real shot of holding up the premiership cup by season’s end.
Round 14 had some cracking showcases, not even necessarily from the top sides, as Orbost Snowy Rovers were scared by Lindenow, and Wy Yung and Lucknow showed what’s to be expected come finals action.
The Tigers held off the Magpies to win by two points, 8.12 (60) to 8.10 (58) in Match of the Round.
These sides always get up for games of this note, both playing in multiple close matches that have meant a lot for who is positioned best come finals time.
Lucknow had a strong start at home, with all the play, kicking the only goal for the opening quarter to lead 1.4 (10) to 0.2 (2).
This was flipped on its head just a quarter later, as the scoring increased and the intensity on the field heated up.
Wy Yung headed into the main break ahead 4.9 (33) to 3.6 (24).
The last half was back-and-forth to say the least, as both sides traded exceptional runs of play that had Lucknow move back ahead after three quarters by two points.
Wy Yung found that extra something to conclude and come out two-point winners.
Jack Betts was a star for the Tigers kicking three goals, while Norman Betts stood strong, followed by Brad Daniel, Jobe Somerville, Bayden Ashwood, Jock Overend and Nate Somerville.
The best for Lucknow included Joel Mcnamara, Jack Saulle, Jessie Pescod, Jackson Smith, Stephen Bertino and Bayley Croucher.
Both sides are tied at a win-loss record of 10-3 positioned at second (Wy Yung) and third-place (Lucknow) respectively.
BOISDALE-BRIAGOLONG ran home 173-point winners to claim top spot on the ladder, following a 27.25 (187) to 2.2 (14) takedown of Paynesville.
After a narrow 14-point lead after the first quarter (albeit with quadruple the scoring shots for the quarter), the home team Bombers added 8.8 (56) to one-point in the second term to jump out to a 69-point lead heading into the main break.
The Gulls actually wouldn’t score form there on out as Boisdale-Briagalong added a clean 16.8 (104) to close.
There weren’t any extraordinary individual goal kickers, but five Bombers kicked three or more goals as well as a further three with two goals.
Kelvin Porter (three goals) was best-on-ground for Bosidale-Briagalong, followed by Thomas Jolly (three goals), Timothy Dessent (three), Nicholas Marshall, Matthew Wilkinson and Daniel Johnson.
STRATFORD continued to cement their finals contention with a 16.22 (118) to 3.7 (25) win over Lakes Entrance at home.
Thanks to some inaccurate kicking, the Swans only lad by five goals by halftime, 5.11 (41) to 1.5 (11), but that was just the beginning of it.
Stratford added 6.7 (43) to 1.0 (6) in the third term and continued on with a further five goals to one in the last quarter that meant a win was in the books.
The Swans sit at 9-4 on the year alone in fourth position, while Lakes Entrance remain with three wins and now 10 losses.
ORBOST held on to a six-point win against Lindenow.
The Cats got off to a flying start, leading 3.2 (20) to 0.3 (3) after the first quarter, and matched the Blues fightback to hold onto their lead at halftime, 6.4 (40) to 5.6 (36).
It was a three goal to two third term that saw the Blues hit the front for the first time to lead by four points heading into the final quarter.
Lindenow, at home, gave it their all, but it simply wasn’t enough, as the experienced Blues held on after another three goal quarter in trying circumstances.
Bobby Bills and Hamish Nettleton finished with three goals each for OSR, along with two goals from Lachlan and Mitchell Fenner that gave them the balanced scoring needed.
Bills and Jarrah Nettleton were standouts for the Blues, followed by Gus Rodgers, Braden Ross, Brayden Fenner and William Walker.
Peter Harrison lit a fire under his team, kicking seven of Lindenow’s 10 goals for the day to claim best-on-ground honours, followed by David Donchi, Todd Alexander, Lucas Lakay, Kyle Holmes and Patrick Alexander.
The Blues sill sit two games back of the top four at 7-6, but a meeting with fourth-placed Stratford this weekend could be the win that moves the tide for them for an eventual finals campaign.
Despite remaining winless on the year, Lindenow put up a fight and have shown more in the backend of the season.
