Lakes Entrance’s hopes of returning to finals football in 2026 are still alive, but not entirely in their own hands.
The Seagulls proved too good for Stratford at Boyd Reserve last Saturday in round 13 of the East Gippsland Football Netball League, running out comfortable 41-point winners.
However, arch rival and fellow finals aspirant Orbost Snowy Rovers caused one of the upsets of the season, knocking off Wy Yung at Lochiel Park.
With two rounds to play, the Blues hold a four-point and one-per cent advantage over the Seagulls, with the two sides drawn to clash this Saturday at Lakeside Oval.
A victory to Orbost would cement its place in the top four, while a win for Lakes would keep its finals hopes alive going into the final round.
In the regular season finale, Orbost Snowy will welcome Lucknow, while Wy Yung hosts Lakes Entrance at Bullumwaal Road. If Lakes is to win this weekend, then both sides win their respective matches, percentage will decide the neighbours’ fate.
The Blues remain in the box seat, but Lakes is alive and well, focusing squarely on this week’s critical contest.
Lakes Entrance confronted a much more competitive Stratford lineup this Saturday, with the Swans making nine changes for the clash.
Jesse Broadbent, Jarryd Clohesy, Germaine Otieno, David McKean, Jacob Van Zelst, Noah Bennett, Riley Cottrell, Jacob Williams and Hamish McGregor all returned to the side.
The Swans battled hard all day after giving the Seagulls a 22-point head start following a goalless opening term.
Lakes Entrance coach Darren Martin was pleased with his side’s performance.
“It was a consistent four-quarter effort, which we have been targeting all year. Pleased to play the game on our terms all day,” Martin said.
Tom Hudson and Xavier Woodland kicked four goals each for the winners, with Martin believing Hudson is on the verge of a huge game.
Sam Brown and the consistent Angus McKenzie finished with two goals each, while Cottrell booted two for the home side.
Among the best for the Seagulls were Woodland, James Beha, George Ioakim, Ben Richardson, Hudson, Mitch Banner and Angus Stevens.
Beha was again pivotal at centre half back, combining well with a group of youngsters including the Stevens brothers, Ioakim and Tully Davis, who know each other’s games well and have an uncanny sense of where everyone is at any given time.
Will Cantrill also impressed in the back six, restricting Ben Dekkers to just one goal after the Swans forward caused plenty of headaches for Martin and company the last time the two sides met.
Stratford coach Nathan Pollard and veteran Lachlan Channing led the way for the Swans, with solid contributions from Cooper Dixon, Harrison Langford, Kobi Taylor, McKean, Williams and Cottrell.
