Perennial East Gippsland Football Netball League reserves contenders Boisdale Briagolong have claimed back-to-back premiership victories, holding off Lakes Entrance by 16 points at Bairnsdale City Oval last Saturday.
While the record books will reflect a 16-point final margin, the scoreline somewhat flattered the Seagulls, who booted the final two goals
of the contest.
Errant kicking from the Bombers — finishing with 7.13 — kept Lakes Entrance in the hunt, despite Boisdale Briagolong dominating
inside-50s 38-18 and winning the clearance battle 20-14.
In the ruck, high-jumping Reiley Rhodes took on a Seagulls rotation of Logan Brown, Mick Sowden and rising star Charlie Graham, feeding midfielders Ethan Kincaid-Shingles, Sam Bedggood and Harry Swarski.
Despite early territorial dominance by the Bombers, Boisdale Briagolong held a slim three-point lead at quarter-time. The Seagulls proved efficient with their limited entries, answering early misses after Tyson Daly opened the scoring with two early goals set up by Bedggood and veteran Nathan Sellings.
Sellings roamed the far wing with poise and class throughout the match, providing a steadying presence whenever Lakes Entrance threatened to surge. It was a fitting reward for Sellings, who soldiered on in 2026 after nearly retiring following last year’s decider.
Lakes Entrance hit back mid-way through the term when Graham marked strongly in the goal square, before coach Ben Rotheram added a second following a tackle in the goal square.
The second quarter proved an arm-wrestle, with the Bombers adding 2.3 (15) while holding the Seagulls scoreless. Half backs Bayden Dowsett and Zac Harrigan proved impassable for Boisdale Briagolong, cutting off six of Lakes Entrance’s nine inside-50 attempts. Century goalkicker Noah Bottom was forced far upfield to find touch, pursued closely by direct opponent Beau Mynard.
League leading goal-kicker Luke Pratt — who was blanketed for most of the day by Lakes Entrance best-on-ground Baxter Bennett—kicked his first major of the afternoon, before cousin Danny Pratt goaled from deep in
the pocket.
Holding a three-goal buffer at half time, the Bombers extended their lead in the third term, outscoring Lakes Entrance 3.4 (22) to 2.2 (14). Brendan Bassett and Charlie Goold lifted for the Seagulls, with Brayden Baade and James Daly keeping Lakes in touch.
However, majors from Blade Johnson, Rhodes, and Luke Pratt — the latter coming on the siren after a free kick — pushed the margin out to 26 points at three-quarter time.
Lakes Entrance mounted a spirited
final-quarter fightback led by skipper Jack Reggardo, with Bassett and thirds premiership coach Finn Somerville kicking early goals to reduce the deficit to 14 points.
Despite Lakes Entrance’s pressure, the unbeaten 2026 champions held firm. Dowsett and Harrigan continued to cut off Seagull attacks, while veterans Sellings and Bedggood controlled possession in the closing minutes
to secure the flag.
Dowsett was awarded the best-on-ground medal for a dominant intercepting display at half back, with Sellings, Harrigan, Daly, Mynard, Bedggood, Threadgold, and Rhodes among the Bombers’ best. Bennett, Graham, Goold, Bassett, Matt Duggan, and Baade battled hard for
Lakes Entrance.
FINAL SCORE
Bois Briag 2.4 4.7 7.11 7.13 (55)
Lakes Entrance 2.1 2.1 4.3 6.3 (39)
GOALS – Bois Briag: T. Daly 2, L. Pratt 2, R. Rhodes 1, D. Pratt 1, B. Johnson 1. Lakes Entrance:
F. Somerville 1, B. Bassett 1, B. Rotheram 1, C. Graham 1, J. Daly 1, B. Baade 1.
BEST – Bois Briag: B. Dowsett, T. Daly, R. Rhodes, H. Swarski, Z. Harrigan, B. Mynard. Lakes Entrance: C. Goold, B. Bennett, C. Graham, B. Bassett, M. Duggan, S. East.
