Lakes Entrance has slipped six points behind Lindenow and Lucknow in the race for a top four berth on the East Gippsland football ladder, the Seagulls going down by 56 points at the Cattery last Saturday.
In a match that could have a significant bearing on both sides’ finals chances, the Cats secured their first win in a month, and Lakes must now face Lucknow this Saturday in a bid to re-launch its season. A Seagulls loss to the Pies will mean curtains for 2012.
In an even first quarter, Lakes had plenty of chances against the Cats, but missed or turned over the ball on numerous occasions.
The Seagulls’ backline worked hard, particularly Adam Lowcock and John Hooper, rebounding plenty of footy and sending it forward, but delivery into the attacking 50 was poor as Tom Smith and Gerard Kennedy had their work cut out for them.
Lindenow made the most of its opportunities and held a 10-point buffer at the first change.
The Cats got on top in the second, with Kaine Bulmer and Paul Collier dangerous in attack with Justin Blair
winning plenty of ball in the middle.
Zac Guarnaccia and skipper Nathan Pegler didn’t do much wrong in the centre, working hard all day, but it wasn’t enough to stop a Lindenow onslaught.
The Seagulls welcomed back big man Andrew Stevens from suspension, who was forced into defence after a tough stint in the ruck.
He went to Bulmer and did his best efforts in stopping him, while fellow ruckman James Beha latched onto everything around the ground on his way to another best on ground performance.
Four goals to one in favour of the home side had blown the game open and the 31-point margin at the half with the home ground advantage was always going to be tough to reel in for Lakes.
After an even third term, where the Seagulls captilised on their opportunities and the Cats were inaccurate, the hosts stormed home in the last.
The Seagulls were within 23 points with 20 minutes to play, however Lindenow booted 5.4, while keeping the Seagulls to just two behinds for the quarter to run out a nine-goal victor.
Lakes lacked leg speed around the ground, particularly in the forward line, which cost the visitors the game.
Beha again stood out like a beacon for Lakes Entrance as he consolidates himself as one of the premier big men in the competition, while Stevens was very good. Guarnaccia and Lowcock were solid.
RESERVES
A Rowan Sproule seven-goal bag has moved the Seagulls into third spot on the ladder, Lakes Entrance taking down Lindenow by 33 points.
Lakes was gifted with a one-week return from Jack Reggardo and Andrew Dear, but their solid games were out-shone by Sproule at full forward, who played his best game of the year, latching onto every kick coming his way in front of goal.
The Seagulls started off with a bang in the first term, booting six goals the the Cats’ two.
In the second term, Lindenow made a late charge and outscored the Seagulls, but the visitors piled on five majors in the premiership quarter to take a 32-point buffer into the final break.
The Cats hit back and were within two goals from the Seagulls in the final term, before the visitors put the nail in the coffin.
Adam Anketell went in hard at every contest in the defensive 50 and played a solid game, while Reggardo was all class on the wing and through the midfield.
Callum Lee was good for Lakes in the ruck, while also grabbing onto everything around the ground.
Tom Nickless and Reggardo each snagged one major to go with Sproule’s bag.
UNDER 18
The Seagulls’ thirds scratched out a thrilling one-point win over the Cats, with injury to big-name players in Caleb Waites and Luke Guarnaccia, and even youngster Kyle McKenzie, haunting Lakes.
The Seagulls flew high in the first half, taking a 26-point lead into the main break, but were pegged back by the hunting Cats, who restored a 19-point deficit at three quarter time to go within one point at the final siren.
The long-awaited return of power forward Mathew Buchanan was handy for the Seagulls, the raging big man booting three majors. Beau Lamanna and Zac Svetlik kicked two apiece.
Ayden Vogrig enjoyed some time and freedom in the centre with a clear best on ground performance, with Ash Bennett, Lamanna, Kellen Frost, Sean Dobson and Jayden Herbert all solid.
Last Modified on 23/06/2012 08:05