Lakes Entrance maintained its unbeaten season thus far in the East Gippsland Football Netball League thirds competition, with a hard-earned victory over second-ranked Lindenow at the Lakeside Oval last Saturday.
The Seagulls set the victory up with a five-goal to one first quarter, but to their credit the Cats fought back in the second quarter kicking three unanswered goals to narrow the margin to just seven points at half time.
With both sides assured of a top-two finish, there was still plenty to play for, even with the finals just a month away.
In a tight third term the Seagulls defence was outstanding repelling numerous attacks, keeping the Cats scoreless with only poor kicking (2.4) keep the margin to 23 points.
It was another dour struggle in the final term with both sides kicking a major each, the ball predominately played between the arcs as Lakes Entrance was never seriously threatened on the way to it 23-point win.
Harrison Bennett, Riley Jenkins, Jordan Van Dam, Thomas Graham, Isaac Zagami and Blake Thomson were the stars for the Seagulls with Bill Prior kicking three goals and Oscar Hopkins’ two.
It was a heart-breaking loss for Lakes Entrance in the reserves going down to the Cats by a point in their most important match of the season.
The fourth-ranked Cats now sit two games ahead of the fifth-ranked Seagulls with three matches remaining.
Lindenow has winnable matches against Paynesville and Wy Yung so Lakes Entrance won’t be part of the finals action in 2025, but its not all doom and gloom, the reserves have shown significant improvement this season after struggling at times to field a team in recent seasons.
They gave themselves every chance last Saturday, leading the Cats by nine points at three quarter time but Lindenow was more efficient under pressure in the final quarter, finishing with 2.2 to 0.4.
Kaleb Day, Jesse Gillam, Andrew Hatch, Kurt Grabham, Brett Campisi and Cameron Ferris were the better players for the Seagulls, with Noah Bottom kicking four goals.
Lakes Entrance will head up the road this week to do battle with traditional rival Orbost Snowy Rovers where regardless of ladder positions play is general tough and competitive.
