A much-improved performance from Lakes Entrance in round 13 of the East Gippsland Football Netball League has seen them go down to premiership contender Wy Yung by 25 points at Bullumwaal Road.
Bad starts have been a hindrance for the Seagulls in most matches this year and after last week’s appalling showing against Stratford, Lake Entrance coach Darren Martin had changed training up leading into the clash with the Tigers.
Training on Tuesday and Thursday saw a more structured warm up, progressing straight into competitive match simulation, hoping it would awaken the players to the task at hand.
It wasn’t bring your mouth guard stuff but the intensity was certainly lifted.
The Seagulls were still outscored by four goals to one in the opening term, trailing by 21 points at quarter time, but Martin was happy with the start.
“The intent in the first term and all day was good, we worked the ball out of defence and the centre well, went into the forward 50 as much as them, but struggled with the mid-forward connection,” Martin said.
Martin is a key stat taker and it’s not lost on him that his team trail by 31 goals for the season in first quarters this year.
After quarter time the match turned into a dour struggle with both sides struggling to kick goals in perfect conditions for football, the Tigers’ lead out to 28 points by half time.
The Seagulls played their best football in the final term kicking four goals to two, narrowing a 37-point three quarter time margin to the final margin.
Martin was keen to talk positives for the effort, including the performance of the Stevens brothers, Max and Angus.
“They are both feeling their way at senior level. With Sam Nickless out (serious knee injury), Angus stepped up in the ruck and was superb while Max played his best game for the season, he’s exciting, taking hangers,” Martin said.
Jack Betts kicked three goals for Wy Yung with Harry Kellow and Luke Elia kicking two, while Tom Hudson and Oscar Brazzale both slotted two for the Seagulls.
Brazzale moved forward in the final term after a serviceable game in defence.
Best players for the Tigers who went into the clash without classy veterans, Nathan Dennison and Bayden Ashwood, were Nate Somerville, Elia, Mitchell Toms, Tom Betts, Kellow and Normie Betts.
Other good players for the Seagulls were Angus McKenzie, Sean Smith and Mitch Banner, who both played close to their best matches for the year, George Ioakim and Jordan Clarke.
Lakes Entrance will host Lindenow this week in a match both sides are confident of scoring victory.
Both outfits were honourable last week against sides that will play in the finals, the Cats taking the match right up to last year premiership winner Boisdale Briagolong.
The Bombers found enough late to hold them off, but not before they got a fright.
The importance of this week’s match isn’t lost on Martin.
“After an honourable loss and some steady efforts, it’s important we win the matches that are up for grabs, but they will be going in with a similar thought pattern. It should be good game,” Martin said.
Cats gun Peter Harrison will again be a focus for the Seagulls, who envisage that he will work through the midfield and be an important cog forward.
Lakes Entrance will look to have him manned by one opponent all day, with Brazzale a candidate.
