Lakes Entrance’s 2012 East Gippsland Football Netball League campaign started positively, despite just three wins from eight matches against Lindenow last Saturday.
The Seagulls took out the under 18 football and “A” and “B” grade netball, with all other sides very
competitive.
The senior footballers put in a sterling first up effort against the reigning premier, eventually going down by 14 points.
The Cats started the better of the two sides kicking into a slight breeze in the first term. Both side?s had plenty of the play, but it was Lindenow that made the most of its forward forays with Matt Busch and Paul Collier in the action. Even defender Lachlan Dumaresq found some space in attack to boot a long goal as his side led by 11 points at the first change.
The Seagulls battled hard through the middle with skipper Nathan Pegler, Luke Reggardo and Kane Thompson winning plenty of
the ball, but they were failing to get first use. The Lakes defenders were also trying hard, but a lack of forward movement made rebounding
difficult.
The Cats took advantage of the wind in the second term to bound ahead to a 30-point lead at half time.
Again it was a similar story for the Seagulls, failing to get their hands on the ball first and lacking options across centre half forward.
Once Lakes got over centre half forward, senior debutant James Pitt and former coach Gerard Kennedy were making life difficult for the Cats defenders.
At the long break, new senior coach Rod Bills couldn’t fault his charges’ efforts, but asked for more of a physical presence with forward defensive pressure… And that he got.
Lakes’ intensity and attack on the ball turned the game around in the third term. At one stage late, it took the lead, before the Cats got a late settler.
The Seagulls’ zone was working perfectly as Lindenow time and time again could only produce stoppages after kick-outs.
But that was also a problem for Lakes, giving the Cats kick-outs rather than going back to the middle for a ball-up.
Inaccuracy proved costly at the end of the day with simple chances missed, even from the boots of classy onballer Steve Battista who is usually lethal by foot.
Pegler provided the highlight of the quarter, snapping a long goal on the run under heavy pressure, but it was Pitt and Kennedy that looked the most dangerous in attack and they got Lakes within two points at the final change.
Those two had one each early in the final term to give the Seagulls the advantage, but the Cats hit back through Matt Dick, with two long set shots, followed by Mick Preston crumbing a simple one and Jake Evans bombing long to ensure victory.
Pitt finished with six majors, with Kennedy slotting five for the home side. Daniel Zammit tried all day at centre half back, taking some strong grabs and creating plenty of attacking play. Luke Reggardo and Nathan Pegler won lots of the ball while Kane Thompson was lively when he had his chance in the midfield.
RESERVES
The seconds went down by 42 points after a solid first half against the Cats.
The Seagulls ran out of puff late in the match, letting Lindenow take control, booting eight goals to three in the second half.
Chris Andy booted four goals up forward with Jason Carstairs slotting two and Callum Anketell, Graham Sellings and Jack Reggardo kicking singles.
John Hooper was named best on ground and will be fighting for a senior spot in coming weeks. Reggardo battled hard while Dylan Paten impressed.
UNDER 18
The thirds destroyed Lindenow by 130 points in their first match of the season.
The youngsters were never headed, leading from start to finish, piling on seven goals in each of the first three quarters.
Ayden Vogrig continued his 2011 touch slotting eight majors, with Zac Svetlik, Riley White and Brandon Sauer booting three each.
Blake Forrester was dominant at centre half back, while Mat Dugins, Gary Kramme and Jayden Herbert won plenty of ball through the midfield.
Last Modified on 29/04/2012 07:58