Ladder leader Lakes Entrance rounded off its preparation with an emphatic 98-point win over Lucknow during round 17 of the East Gippsland Football Netball League thirds competition at the Lucknow Recreation Reserve last Saturday.
The young Seagulls have only tasted defeat once during the home and away season, going down to arch rival Orbost Snowy Rovers in round 15.
They will do battle with Lindenow this Saturday at the Bairnsdale City Oval in the qualifying final, hoping to win straight through to the 2025 grand final.
Last Saturday they put the match out of the reach of the Magpies early with an exceptional first quarter which yielded an impressive seven goals and four behinds.
Their second half was ruthless, keeping Lucknow scoreless while adding eight unanswered goals, only some off-target goalkicking keeping the winning margin below 100 points.
Star players George Ioakim and Charlie Graham capitalised up forward from some attractive ball movement through the middle, finishing with four and three goals respectively in impressive performances.
They were joined in the best by Harrison Bennett, Thomas Graham, Harper Davis, Bill Prior and Aiden Wealands.
It was a tough day in the reserves for the Seagulls who were low in numbers late in the week, but with Max Bowden, Daniel Bryant, Jake Le Maitre, Paul Hopkins, Andrew Stevens and brothers John and Ryan Hooper all suiting up off limited preparations, disaster was diverted and a good time enjoyed by those who participated.
The Magpies were too good but the Seagulls weren’t disgraced despite going down by 74 points, with Max Stevens and Noah Bottom both kicking two goals.
Sam East, Le Maitre, John Hooper, Ryan Hooper, Ben Crittenden and Andrew Stevens were among the best for Lakes Entrance.
The Seagulls have finished the season in sixth spot on the ladder after registering six wins, and have certainly found it easier to fill a team in 2025, though it was tough work in the final round.
