Lakes Entrance’s under 15s will head into this weekend’s final series high on confidence, after knocking off the unbeaten Wy Yung in the final round of the East Gippsland Junior Football Association.
The second-ranked Seagulls made the trek to Bairnsdale last Sunday hoping to knock the Tigers, and that’s exactly what they did, scoring a morale-boosting win over their opponent in this week’s second semi final.
Lakes Entrance won the match with an exceptional first quarter where it kicked four unanswered goals, opening up an impressive 22-point lead.
The second quarter was a more even tussle with both sides kicking two goals, the Seagulls having a more than handy 21-point lead.
Wy Yung threw everything at Lakes in the second half, dominating inside 50s and scoring, but their radar was well and truly off, racking up behind after behind.
An important Seagulls major in the final term by Kye Piper (three goals) saw them hang on for a brave eight-point win.
Best players for the Seagulls were Durome Abbey, Mitch Ware, Tayte Gibbs, Thomas Graham, Luca Djokic and William Bartlett.
The top two sides also did battle in the under 13s with the unbeaten Tigers prevailing by 14 points.
Wy Yung impressed in the first term kicking two unanswered goals, before the Seagulls fought back in the second stanza, leading at the long break by a point.
The third quarter was a battle of the half back lines, as both side mounted solid attacks, only to be thwarted when likely to score.
A goal apiece saw the Seagulls lead by a point at three quarter time, with an upset looking a huge possibility.
But it wasn’t to be, the Tigers showing why they are the competition measuring stick, finishing strongly to win by two goals.
Cohen Kleinitz, Harry Strong, Lochie Yates, Makayla Sowden, Henry Lothian and Mason Luu all had good games for the gallant Seagulls.
Unfortunately with their percentage dropping after the loss, the Seagulls dropped to third on the ladder, relinquishing their hold on the vital double chance.
The East Gippsland Junior Football Association finals start this Sunday at the Bairnsdale City
Oval.
Lakes Entrance will play Lucknow in the under 13 elimination final at 9.30am.
The under 15 qualifying final be played at 2.30pm, with Wy Yung looking for redemption against Lakes Entrance, the winner going straight through to the grand final.
