Lakes Entrance jumped into third spot on the East Gippsland Football Netball League senior ladder after an impressive 33-point win over Stratford at Stratford last Saturday.
It was the first time in almost 40 years that the Seagulls had travelled to the Knob Reserve and despite it being a first for every Lakes player, they settled in well and controlled play for the majority of the day.
The Seagulls were positive from the get-go, making a number of attacking moves, but a
wild wind across the ground forced a number of stoppages and boundary throw-ins.
In the absence of Gerard Kennedy, Tom Smith, playing his first game for the Seagulls, was looking dangerous out of the goal square, while onballers Joel Waters (Bairnsdale listed), Nathan Pegler, Zac Guarnaccia and Steve Battista were sending the ball forward time and time again.
James Pitt got an early one after a scrap in the goalsquare saw him receive the quick hands to snap truly.
Smith had his first in the maroon and white jumper since his junior days and Steve Battista followed soon after with a long goal from the boundary to give the Seagulls the edge at quarter time, leading by 11 points.
Bairnsdale listed big man Scott Scicluna and speedster Jarryd Clohesy booted goals for the Swans, who were desperate for the ball, yet inefficient when heading forward.
The second quarter was again played on Lakes’ terms with Smith clunking some big marks deep in attack when he looked to be out of position, while Graham Sellings was finding space in his first senior game of the year.
The Seagulls’ back six were as solid as ever and kept the Swans to one goal through Scicluna. Their rebound and precision skill set up a number of forward forays and more often than not, when they went into attack, Smith and Sellings were in great position.
Lakes headed into the long break with a 24-point buffer and wasn’t about to let the Swans in with a sniff after half time.
The Seagulls dominated proceedings early in the third term and it was again Sellings and Smith who were the beneficiaries of some positive Lakes play.
Guranaccia, Waters and Pegler had the ball on a string, while defenders John Hooper, Adam Lowcock, Brett Campisi and Jake Le Maitre created plenty of run off their men.
Battista was winning a lot of clean ball as the Swans failed to man him up and first gamer Lachlan Buck was settling into senior football comfortably. He spent time on the wing and in the midfield with Luke Reggardo going down with a groin strain.
By three quarter time, the margin had extended out to 42 points, with Stratford kept to just two behinds for the term.
The match was beyond the Swans, but they weren’t going down without a fight and managed to kick three early goals through Rowan Marsden, Lewis Bolton and James Russell, but late goals to Waters and Smith sealed a comfortable 33-point victory.
Guarnaccia was named best on ground, with Waters and Pegler providing plenty of support in the midfield. Smith finished with six majors on return for the Seagulls and Waters and Sellings booted two each, while defender John Hooper was solid in the back half, as well as spending time in the ruck.
Last Modified on 11/06/2012 14:33