Lakes Entrance has suffered a disappointing defeat to Orbost Snowy Rovers in round two of the East Gippsland Football Netball League at Lakeside Oval last Saturday.
After an honourable loss to reigning premier Wy Yung in round one, the Seagulls entered the match as favourites, particularly with the Blues coming off a rare home defeat to a new-look Lucknow outfit.
Despite kicking into the breeze in the opening term, Lakes Entrance took a five-point lead into the first break, pleasing coach Darren Martin and his assistants.
With the advantage of the wind in the second quarter, the Seagulls added three goals to one to extend their lead to 16 points at half time.
Orbost Snowy created opportunities but was let down by inaccurate kicking, preventing it from closing the gap further.
The match turned dramatically after the main break, with the Blues dominating the second half, kicking eight goals to one. The visitors’ strength around the contest and hunger for the ball proved decisive.
Orbost Snowy held Lakes scoreless in the third quarter, using the strengthening breeze to kick three goals and take a narrow lead into the final change.
Although the Seagulls had the breeze and home-ground support in the last term, momentum remained with the Blues, who added five goals to one to run out convincing 29-point winners.
“We need to learn to play four consistent quarters, not rely on occasional glimpses of the extraordinary to win us games,” Martin said.
Lakes Entrance will now have a week off before hosting premiership favourite Boisdale Briagolong with the club hopeful of regaining key players Josh Wykes and James Beha, along with veteran Josh Piper.
Dylan Nikolajew impressed in his first game for the club but will miss the next match due to work commitments.
Tom Hudson kicked three goals for the Seagulls, with Mitch Banner adding two. Angus Stevens was a standout in the ruck, working hard in the absence of Wykes (work) and Beha (injury).
Angus McKenzie also impressed in a defensive role on former Seagulls coach Tommy Smith (two goals), although Martin noted he may have benefited from a move into the midfield when Smith rotated through.
Hudson continues to build form after a lengthy layoff, while Banner, Liam Carroll and Will Cantrill were also among the better performers.
For Orbost, Jamieson Humphreys kicked three goals, with key defender Curtley Nettleton, Humphreys, Gus Rogers, Angus Davis and recruits Matthew Holmes and Brian Leslie all influential.
