Lakes Entrance scored its most important win under coach Darren Martin, and the Seagulls’ mastermind wasn’t even there.
The Seagulls caused an upset, defeating rival Orbost Snowy by 12 points at the Lakeside Oval despite Martin suffering a medical emergency prior to the match and unable to take his post on the sideline.
Whether or not that provided the team some spark is anyone’s guess, however what couldn’t be questioned was Lakes’ unwavering endeavour which was evident from the opening seconds with the Seagulls kicking the first two goals within the space of three minutes.
After the Blues looked to have gained the ascendency with a four-goal second quarter burst approaching time on, the Seagulls of earlier in the season may have given up the fight.
But not on Saturday.
The visitors led by 11 points at the main break however by 17 minutes into the third quarter Lakes had regained the lead and would go into the final term with a slender two-point advantage.
That margin could have been wider – the Seagulls kicked 4.7 to the Blues’ three straight goals, pointing to a change in momentum.
While for much of the season there has been a difference in class typically favouring the Seagulls’ opponents, by midway through the third quarter the Seagulls were more desperate to win the ball and when they won it they used it cleaner than Orbost Snowy.
Lakes moved the ball rather swiftly while the Blues were guilty of over possessing.
The home side held off any late fight back from the visitors, kicking three goals to one in the final quarter.
It was as much a win for endeavour as it was experience with Lakes’ wise heads leading the charge.
In and under ball magnet Sam Brown took the midfield unit on his back, with Liam Carroll, young George Ioakim and Angus McKenzie following suit in the clinches.
The on all brigade was given first use for the majority of the match from Sam Nickless on return from concussion.
Nickless’ tap work was superb and his ability to create attacking problems for the Blues was vital when dropping into the hole.
At the other end Josh Piper showed he’s lost little of his touch.
Playing his first senior match of the season after leading Omeo Benambra to last year’s Omeo and District premiership, Piper formed a dynamic experienced duo with assistant coach Ben Rotheram deep in attack, Piper finishing with five goals, including two vital majors in the final quarter, while Rotheram bagged two.
Down back it was the consistent Sabastian Etheridge taking all before him, intercepting and generating plenty of rebound alongside the likes of Mitch Banner, Will Addison and Liam Allen.
Jamieson Humphreys was Orbost Snowy’s best, competing hard at the goal face, booting two goals, Hamish Nettleton was held to two majors while the reliable Braeden Ross also chipped in with a couple.
Running defenders Kieran Vickery and Max Welsh had plenty of the ball and were able to create attacking movement when allowed time and space, Vickery getting forward for a first quarter goal and Welsh also hitting the scoreboard.
Despite the win, the Seagulls’ second and most significant of the season, they dropped from sixth to seventh on the ladder, courtesy of Lindenow handing Paynesville a shellacking at AJ Freeman Reserve.
Lakes Entrance now are on 12 points, the same as fifth placed Orbost and the sixth ranked Cats.
The Seagulls will make the trek to Boisdale this week to do battle with the Bombers, whose indifferent season continued on last Saturday, when they were narrow losers to the unbeaten Lucknow.
