Both the Lakes Entrance reserves and thirds recorded huge wins over winless Paynesville in round six of the East Gippsland Football Netball League at AJ Freeman Reserve, highlighted by an extraordinary performance from Noah Bottom in the reserves, finishing with 17 goals.
Bottom now leads the reserves goalkicking by 10 goals with 37 for the season, comfortably ahead of Boisdale Briagolong’s Luke Pratt, with perennial winner and fellow Bomber Danny Pratt another 10 goals further back in third place.
The Seagulls sit second on the ladder having dropped just one match this season — a 17-point home loss to the Bombers in round three.
Paynesville kicked its only goal of the day in the third term, eventually going down by 205 points to the Ben Rotheram-coached Seagulls.
It was a consistent performance from a hungry Lakes Entrance outfit, kicking 16 goals in the first half and 17 in the second.
Tyrone Hayes made his return in Seagulls colours, starring with three goals, while Sam East, Patrick Halford and Sonny Davy each slotted two majors.
Bottom was the clear standout, while Brendan Bassett again found plenty of the football. East, Hayes, Charlie Graham and Bailey So also featured prominently among the best players in a dominant team performance.
The third-placed thirds side flexed its muscles with an emphatic 177-point win over the gallant Gulls, who battled hard despite limited numbers and still managed four goals.
The Seagulls booted 20 goals in the first half, including 11 in the second quarter, before easing off after the main break.
Up forward, Oscar Hopkins enjoyed a day out with 10 goals, well supported by Thomas Robertson with five and Charlie Forrester with four.
Strong contributors were plentiful, with the coaching panel highlighting Harper Davis, Hopkins, Leroy Hayes, Thomas Graham, Jake De Donato and Robertson among the best.
Lakes Entrance will welcome Swan Reach to Lakeside Oval this week, with the thirds clash featuring the competition’s third and fourth-ranked sides.
