Lakes Entrance secured its second win of the East Gippsland Football Netball League season last Saturday, emphatically defeating Lucknow by 38 points at Lakeside Oval.
The Seagulls stunned the 2025 grand finalists with a dominant opening two and a half quarters, although the final margin did not fully reflect their control of the contest.
Lakes surged to a 65-point lead midway through the third term, with slick ball movement and a tall, agile forward line continually placing the Magpies defenders under pressure.
Lucknow responded late in the third quarter with a seven-goal burst led by Nick Mooney, who finished with five goals, reducing the deficit to 26 points. However, the Seagulls steadied in the final term, holding the Magpies scoreless to seal an impressive victory.
Lakes surpassed its previous week’s total inside a blistering opening 15 minutes, with Liam Carroll’s move into the goalsquare proving a masterstroke.
Carroll kicked the opening two goals on his way to six majors and best-on-ground honours. His aerial ability was a feature, while his work at ground level made him a dual threat in attack alongside Tom Hudson, Josh Piper, Xavier Woodland, Max Stevens and Sean Smith. Smith also was the pressure catalyst with a number of first quarter tackles.
The Seagulls kicked five of the first six goals to open up a 36-point lead at quarter-time.
Much of the scoring drive stemmed from the superb ruck work of James Beha, who consistently gave his midfielders first use at stoppages and centre bounces.
Mitch Banner was composed and classy throughout, repeatedly driving the Seagulls forward, while Caleb O’Donnell provided plenty of run alongside Tully Davis, who also drifted forward to kick two first-quarter goals.
The quick ball movement combined with a versatile forward structure appears to be a formula coach Darren Martin could build on as the season progresses.
Lakes continued to pile on the pressure in the second quarter, extending the margin to 51 points before effectively putting the game out of reach early in the third with three goals in 10 minutes.
Will Cantrill was solid in defence and used the ball cleanly on the rebound, while Harry Reed performed an effective shutdown role on reigning league best-and-fairest winner Link McKenna.
Mooney was Lucknow’s standout forward, while Ricky Tatnell and Logan Croucher battled hard for the visitors.
The Seagulls will chase back-to-back victories when they travel to Paynesville this Saturday, with a win keeping them in touch with the top four.
Lucknow faces another tough assignment when it hosts Boisdale Briagolong at the Nest.
