Lakes Entrance has gone down to arch rival Orbost Snowy Rovers in round 15 of the East Gippsland Football Netball League at Lochiel Park by 31 points.
The Blues were desperate for victory to keep their 2025 finals hopes alive, adding further incentive for both sides in a fixture that was willing and tough.
Clashes between the two arch rivals are usually close, regardless of ladder positions and this was another prime example, although the Blues did get the better of the Seagulls in the second half after an even first 60 minutes.
First quarters have been a problem for Lakes Entrance all season, but it wasn’t the case on Saturday when they were quick out of blocks, trading goals with the Blues, who introduced the thirds competition’s leading goalkicker, Angus Joiner, for his first senior match and he impressed kicking two goals.
Joiner came into the side to replace
proven goalkicker and former captain, Hamish Nettleton.
The Seagulls introduced Finn Somerville after some impressive performances in the reserves, his first senior appearance
since 2021.
Orbost held a two-point advantage at quarter time with both sides making the most of their opportunities to kick four majors.
Sean Smith (five goals) was looking dangerous up forward for the Seagulls, while the Blues were enjoying having Wes Russell (three) back in the line up, doing plenty of heavy lifting.
The intensity lifted in the second term as the ball worked its way up and down the ground frequently, with both sides having numerous chances to kick majors, only to see it squandered by inaccuracy and quality pressure.
Lakes added 4.5 to the Blues’ 3.6, to seize the lead at the long break by three points, getting plenty of drive from Somerville, Caleb O’Donnell and Jesse Gillam, in just his second senior appearance for the season.
Gus Rogers had the ball on a string for the Blues, while Kieran Vickery (three) was enjoying playing with some added freedom, as Max Herbert (two) worked hard to drive the ball forward regularly.
The match was evenly poised at half time, obviously the Blues had more to play for but the Seagulls looked determined to ruin a late finals bid from their arch nemesis.
With the game on the line it was the Blues who lifted and went to another level, showing that they could well be one of the best four sides in the competition this season, powering on six goals to one, leaving the bewildered Seagulls in their wake.
Tom Smith (three) lifted his input as youngsters such as Joiner, Tye Robinson, Finn Donnellan and Rusty Morrison showed they will be good solid senior players for Orbost for years to come.
Trailing by 26 points at the final change, Lakes Entrance rallied strongly in the final term as both sides again kicked four goals, with the Seagulls left to rue another costly three quarter effort, which has been common in their form in 2025.
But that might just be a tad hard on Orbost, who certainly did take their game to a complete new level in that 25 minutes of frantic action in the third quarter.
Rogers was outstanding for the Blues, ably supported by Curtley Nettleton, Vickery, Tye Robinson, Joiner and Max Herbert.
Gillam and Somerville led the way for Lakes, assisted by O’Donnell, William Addison, and youngsters Charlie Goold and Elijah Zagami put in their best performances at senior level.
It was great to see Tom Hudson kick three goals for the Seagulls as he returns to form and fitness after a long lay off with a back injury.
Lakes Entrance will welcome Boisdale Briagolong to the Lakeside Oval for the second time this season Saturday.
