Wy Yung easily accounted for an under-strength Lakes Entrance by 39 points during round nine of East Gippsland football, knocking the Seagulls out of the top four while jumping back into third place on the ladder.
The Tigers were cleaner with the ball from the outset and looked the more threatening outfit going into attack, though they initially struggled to generate scoreboard pressure.
Lakes managed to stay in the contest despite some sloppy ball use until midway through the second term, when Wy Yung finally began to find gaps in a Seagulls’ defence that had been resolute under immense pressure.
The Tigers trailed by five points at quarter time but deservedly snatched the lead following an opening-minute goal to Harry Kellow to start the second term. It took another 10 minutes for Wy Yung to goal again — courtesy of coach Brodie Anderson roving smartly in the goal square — as the visitors upped the ante.
From that point on, the Tigers cleaned up across half back with ease thanks to Ridge Peters, Jai Nicholls and Jobe Somerville. They generated constant forward movement largely through the untouchable Mitch Toms, who did as he pleased at stoppages and around the ground.
Following Anderson’s goal, Harry Kellow drilled a long set shot before Jack Betts bagged two goals in the space of 90 seconds — the second straight off the back of a Toms centre clearance — to extend the Tigers’ lead to 26 points approaching time-on.
The Seagulls managed to close the gap by four points by three quarter time, but the visitors finished the stronger of the two sides, with Wy Yung booting four goals to one in the final term.
Earlier in the match, it took some Nathan Dennison brilliance to open the scoring, with the veteran forward nailing a 30-metre soccer kick inside a vacant forward 50 arc.
Liam Carroll, who finished with two goals, answered for the Seagulls after a strong mark on the goal line. However, Dennison responded soon after, again running onto a loose ball at full pace to nail a dribbled snap from a tight angle.
Just as it appeared Wy Yung would lead at the first break, Sean Smith played a crucial part in back-to-back goals for Lakes. Smith first earned a holding-the-ball free kick and a 50-metre penalty, before a late tackle opened the door for Dylan Nikolajew to goal on the stroke of quarter time.
Yet, despite holding the early lead, Lakes never truly looked in control.
Toms and Nicholls were standouts for the Tigers, while Brad Daniel edged the ruck duel against James Beha. Jack Betts was a constant scoring threat and an effective link player further up the ground, finishing with two goals. Harry Kellow led the goal kickers with three majors, while Anderson, Dennison, Betts and Jovi Kellow all contributed two apiece.
Max Stevens was best on ground for Lakes, constantly thwarting Wy Yung attacks at half back and generating smooth ball movement before being pushed forward to give the Seagulls a taller target. In the absence of Josh Wykes and the injured Tom Hudson, the Seagulls found it difficult to transition past centre half forward to create genuine scoring threats.
Smith was prolific forward of centre for the Seagulls, while defenders Will Addison, Richardson, Jordan Cullen and Kaleb Day worked tirelessly under heavy fire.
