The Bairnsdale under 16s maintained a firm grip on third place on the Gippsland League ladder after securing a convincing 16-point victory over Maffra during round nine action at the Maffra Recreation Reserve last Saturday.
The young Redlegs captured the lead late in the opening term and refused to be headed for the remainder of the contest. A relentless second-quarter display saw Bairnsdale keep the Eagles scoreless, allowing the visitors to establish a handy 14-point cushion by the main break.
The second half developed into a dour, defensive struggle as both half-back lines worked overtime to repel inside-50 entries.
Maffra was ultimately unable to make any real impression on the deficit as a resilient Redlegs outfit stood strong. Tom Carter spearheaded the attack with three goals in the low-scoring affair, while Harper Clack chipped in with two. Among the best players for Bairnsdale were Carter, Ayden Martin, Dante Desio, Flynn Ashwood and Charlie Crane.
In the thirds clash, deadly accuracy in front of goal kept Bairnsdale within striking distance during a tense second half. Despite the Eagles having twice as many shots on goal, their inefficiency across the day left the door ajar for the visitors.
Bairnsdale held a narrow four-point lead at half time, but the home side dominated general play and found plenty of the football after the long break. They failed to capitalise on that dominance, however, and the Redlegs hit back. A clutch fourth goal from Kane Callaway dragged Bairnsdale to within a single point with just five minutes remaining on the clock.
Just as an improbable comeback looked on the cards, Maffra’s Jase Roads snapped a goal in the dying moments to secure a thrilling seven-point victory for the Eagles. Angus Tanner, Ryan Stevens, Ned Stansfield, Banjo Nugent-Brown, Harry McGuinn and Xavier Morrison were named among Bairnsdale’s best.
Following the narrow loss, Bairnsdale remains in fifth place on the ladder, four points adrift of the fourth-placed Maffra.
Earlier in the day, a polished Maffra reserves outfit outclassed the visitors to the tune of 59 points. Cooper Young, Saxon Buckley, Mitchell Neal, Bryan Froud, Tarkyn Scott and Hywel Nicholls battled manfully on a tough afternoon for the Redlegs.
Bairnsdale will return home this weekend to host Traralgon at the Bairnsdale City Oval.
