It’s been a disappointing end to the season for Lakes Entrance in the East Gippsland Junior Football Association – one of two dominant clubs all season, they have finished without a premiership flag.
Both the under 13 and 15 teams lost only one match for the season in the home and away rounds, heading into the finals primed and confident of a successful conclusion.
But it wasn’t to be; the under 13s went out in straight sets, going down to Wy Yung and Orbost Snowy Rovers, and the under 15s were outclassed by Wy Yung in Sunday’s grand final at the Bairnsdale City Oval.
The Seagulls went into the match high on confidence after being winners in the preliminary final by a staggering 147 points.
Unfortunately they went up against a Tigers outfit that were fresh and fighting fit, keen to back up their 36-point win over Lakes Entrance in the qualifying final a fortnight prior.
Wy Yung came to play and dominated the first term, the Seagulls working hard to restrict the Tigers to just 3.6. When Lakes Entrance finally got the ball forward, the Tigers quickly ran out of defence with precision and poise.
The Seagulls finally got on the board in the second term, outscoring the Tigers by three points, both sides registering a single goal as the match became a dour contest between the arcs, with plenty of stoppages.
The Tigers led by 21 points at half time, the Seagulls battling hard to get close enough to mount a serious challenge, their offence improved in the third term, but it was matched by the eager Wy Yung, with the three quarter time margin steady at 25 points.
Playing with maximum confidence and plenty of flair after an early goal, the Tigers powered away in the final term, kicking four goals to one, running out comprehensive 49-point winners.
Lakes Entrance was unable to recover from the slow start, having to play catch up for the remainder of the contest.
Jeremy Rotheram, Archer Connally, Ayden Martin, Henry Lothian, Lochie Yates and Cooper Anderson all tried hard for the Seagulls.
