Despite a disappointing loss at senior level, the Lakes Entrance reserves and thirds kept the club’s spirits high with emphatic victories over Lucknow during round 12 action at the Lucknow Recreation Reserve.
The reserves put a major dent in the Magpies’ finals aspirations, inflicting a clinical 105-point defeat on the home side.
Lucknow struggled early, going goalless in the first half while the Seagulls piled on 11 majors. Lakes Entrance added another nine goals in the second half, though the Magpies showed plenty of fight late in the contest.
With leading goalkicker Noah Bottom absent, coach Ben Rotheram and Reginald Saunders stepped up inside the forward 50, booting five goals apiece. James Daly was also a constant livewire in the arc, finishing with three majors.
Among the best for Lakes Entrance were Saunders, Kurt Grabham, Michael Sowden, Rydah Davy and Daly.
The Seagulls sit comfortably in second place on the ladder with four rounds remaining, with eyes already turning toward a likely qualifying final clash with premiership favourites Boisdale Briagolong.
It was another dominant display in the thirds, where the ladder-leading Seagulls dispatched the third-ranked Magpies by 75 points.
Lakes Entrance jumped out of the blocks quickly, effectively putting the match out of reach by quarter-time after keeping the hosts scoreless while kicking three unanswered majors.
Lucknow found some form and fought back in the second term, but it was all the Seagulls after the main break.
Lakes Entrance slammed home nine goals to one in the second half, sending an ominous warning to the rest of the competition with finals just around the corner.
Leroy Hayes and Zane Holley led the charge up forward with three goals each, while Jeremy Rotheram, Oscar Hopkins and Archer Connally chipped in with two apiece.
Best players were plentiful for the victors, led by Jake DeDonato, Hayes, Xavier Pepper, Jeremy Rotheram, Thomas Graham and Aiden Wealands.
Lakes Entrance returns home this Saturday to host Paynesville at Lakeside Oval.
