Lakes Entrance won the battle for pride against arch rival Orbost Snowy Rovers, taking down the Blues at the Lochiel Park mud field by 16 points last Saturday in round 17 of East Gippsland football.
Orbost Snowy challenged the Seagulls, but never got in front and in end didn’t have the legs.
Lakes got the jump early with Ayden Vogrig opening his side’s account with a set shot. Steve Battista backed him up with a set shot of his own after a high tackle and he had two by the 10-minute mark, soccering Lakes’ third at the back of the pack in the goalsquare.
Ben Crittenden then delivered Lakes fourth with a long running goal from 50 and when James Beha slotted another set shot, Lakes was 26 points up as the quarter time bell rang.
Orbost Snowy had its chances, heading deep into attack where Deon Scott was lively, however he was unable to make an impact on the scoreboard.
The Blues booted 0.5 for the first term to Lakes’ 5.1.
Seagulls skipper Nathan Pegler had the ball on a string in the first quarter, surging inside 50 on five occasions to give his forwards scoring opportunities.
Scott opened his account after a mark in the pocket and 50m penalty gave the Blues the first of the second term.
Battista hit back for Lakes, with yet another loose ball falling into his lap after a Graham Sellings forward 50 entry. Battista now had three and was finding plenty of space deep in attack.
Scott had the reply five minutes later from the clubrooms pocket after Andrew Stanton set up the key forward from half back. He had two crucial possessions, finding Brad McDonald and then Scott after running from defence.
Stanton was a ball magnet playing loose across half back, continually on his lonesome in attacking positions.
Mark McDonald put the Blues within 13 points after a high free kick off the ball, however Gerard Kennedy extended the margin to 19 when Luke Reggardo found him on the lead after a holding the ball free kick.
Scott quickly had the reply when some smart tap work from Andrew Kenny at the centre bounce, saw Brooks Joiner (Buchan) find the powerhouse full forward on a searching lead.
The margin was again three kicks after Crittenden weaved his way through traffic, eventually earning an in the back free after spraying his first attempt.
At half time, Lakes led by 17 points, but were far from dominating the game. Orbost Snowy had its chances, however went wide into attack and made goal scoring difficult. Lakes was more accurate with just one behind for the half.
The Blues had the first goal of the third term within 30 seconds, after a quick clearance from Luke Borely ended in Brad McDonald’s hands.
McDonald received a 50m penalty for a late push in the back.
Play stagnated for the next 10 minutes as both sides were struggling in the muddy conditions, until Hamish Nettleton was pinged for running too far. Battista found Kennedy with the free kick and he split the middle to give the Seagulls a 17-point advantage.
James Pitt then snapped truly out of congestion to extend the margin and his side was beginning to control most of the play.
Pitt then snuck forward to get on the end of a Matthew Marsden set shot that fell short, kicking Lakes out to a 29-point lead late in the quarter.
Bodey Pearce kicked a late goal for the Blues to keep his side in it, followed soon after by another Scott major, which saw his side move within 16 points.
Orbost Snowy was now on top and coming strong at its arch rival.
That would be the margin at three quarter time, however Lakes got an early settler to start the last through Battista.
Scott kept the Blues in touch with his sixth and seventh in under a minute. Orbost Snowy was dominating in the midfield and giving its forwards first use more often than not.
After reducing the margin to nine points, thought of an upset was on the cards. The Blues continued to harass the Seagulls when they had the ball and cause turnovers.
Scott got his side within a kick after a brilliant set shot from the boundary and it was making all the running.
Battista steadied Lakes’ ship with his fifth as the quarter was winding down. Lakes was up by 10, but it was still anyone’s game.
An ill-disciplined Hamish Nettleton was then caught holding the ball and gave away a 50m penalty with Dylan Paten kicking the sealer as the Seagulls went onto win by 16 points.
Pegler was Lakes best with a brilliant display of hard-nosed, contested football. Adam Lowcock provided plenty of run, while James Beha played well in a different role as an onballer.
Hamish Nettleton did a terrific job curbing Kennedy’s influence, keeping him to two goals, Stanton racked up the possessions, while Scott finished with seven goals.
RESERVES
The seconds have cemented second spot and the double chance after comfortably taking care of Orbost Snowy by 66 points.
The Seagulls burst out of the blocks with a four-goal lead at quarter time and then limited the Blues’ scoring opportunities.
Rowan Sproule was dangerous deep in attack booting five goals, while Rhys Hubbard (four), Danny Prazza (two), Zac Guarnaccia (one), Luke Guarnaccia (one) and Chris Bulmer (one) also made an impact on the scoreboard.
Luke Guarnaccia was outstanding in his second match of the day, Jamie Darcy provided plenty of run, Hubbard and Sproule were dangerous in attack, and Tom Bulmer held firm in defence.
THIRDS
The under 18s, despite finishing the game with 14 players, were way too strong for the Blues, running out 79-point winners.
The game was in the balance at half time, until Kyle McKenzie put on a goal-kicking clinic. The young crumber, in his first season of football, booted four goals in a best on ground performance, with support from spearhead Zac Svetlik who snagged seven and went 10 clear in the race for the leading goalkicker.
Luke Guarnaccia was again solid, under 16 player Riley Frost battled hard all day and senior experienced campaigners Luke Reggardo and Jesse Beha added a touch of class.
Last Modified on 16/08/2012 16:38