Lakes Entrance will head into the East Gippsland Football Netball League thirds grand final as a short-priced favourite this Saturday at the Bairnsdale City Oval.
The Seagulls, who are the defending champions, will be in search of their 14th consecutive victory when they take on Lindenow in a replay of last year’s decider.
Despite going in as underdogs, the Cats know that victory is possible if they get it right on the day, as they were the last side to topple the Seagulls back in round four, when they ran out impressive 18-point winners at the Lindenow Recreation Reserve. However, in the two subsequent meetings, they have failed to get within five goals of the competition benchmark.
Seagulls coach Finn Somerville is blessed to have some hugely talented players in his lineup, led by league best and fairest winner Thomas Graham, who will give them first use of the ball in the ruck. Max Stevens and Harper Davis have impressed at senior level this season, while Leroy Hayes, Zane Holley and Harris Bennett lead a talented group that has shone consistently and driven the Seagulls to another minor premiership. Hayes, Oscar Hopkins and Holley lead a consistent forward line that is used to getting plenty of quality forward-50 entries, and all are quality finishers.
Lindenow coach Pat Alexander will be looking for standout performances from Titus Harrison in the ruck and onballer Xavier Cook, who probably could have played in the senior team. The two combine well and are both capable of breaking the lines and getting the ball into the forward 50 quickly, with skill and precision.
Harrison and Graham are set for a great battle in the ruck. Both genuine young stars, they have won the last two competition best and fairest awards between them.
Harrison is surrounded by plenty of talent, with Archie Irish, Durome Abbey, Xavier Lane and Nash Aquilina just a small cross-section of the players who got the Cats over the line last Saturday against Lucknow. Irish was a revelation up forward, kicking five goals, while Abbey changed the course of the game in a matter of minutes with a quick two-goal burst when his side needed some inspiration.
The Cats will go in as underdogs with nothing to lose and a lot to gain, but time will tell if they are capable of causing a boilover. Alexander took plenty from the qualifying final loss, and they showed against the Magpies that they can score quickly if they get their run-on game going.
“Last time, they were better than us at the contest and we had to work really hard to get the ball forward. Unfortunately we weren’t able to score as we would have liked and lack of forward pressure meant our ability to get repeat opportunities was low,” Alexander said.
“Essentially we didn’t take our chances in what was a bit of an arm wrestle in tough conditions and they did. If we can rectify that, victory is possible.”
LAKES ENTRANCE
2. Cooper Anderson
4. Jake DeDonato
5. Kye Piper
6. Xavier Pepper
7. Thomas Robertson
8. Archer Connally
9. Evan Pompei
10. Oscar Hopkins
11. Riley Jenkins
12. Jordan Van Dam
13. Thomas Graham
14. Harper Davis
15. Lachlan Ymer
17. Cooper Linn
19. Harris Bennett
20. Leroy Hayes
22. Charlie Forrester
23. Aiden Wealands
24. Max Stevens
26. Zane Holley
28. Jeremy Rotheram
30. Mason Radley
LINDENOW
1. Archie Irish
3. Kane Fletcher
4. Matthew Faithfull
5. Hunter Crane
6. Cody Perdon
7. Jhye Ritchie
8. Liam Irish
9. Xavier Cook
10. Xavier Lane
11. Durome Abbey
13. Nash Aquilina
14. Zachariah Walker
15. Malakai Hood-Marks
16. Archie Poore
17. Kade Musselwhite
18. Clancy Knott
19. William Davidson
20. Malakai Ritchie
22. Samson Casement
23. Hayden Crotty
24. Ryan Hine
25. Titus Harrison
28. Draven White
62. Oliver Simpson
