An injury and illness depleted Lakes Entrance was easily eclipsed by a slick Stratford outfit in round 14 of the East Gippsland Football Netball League at Boyd Reserve in Stratford.
As drastic as the 93-point scoreline deficit looked on paper, there were plenty of positives for the young and developing Seagulls list, who introduced promising youngsters Max Stevens and Caleb O’Donnell to senior football, both named in the best players.
Lakes Entrance was forced to make eight changes from last week’s winning side that defeated Lindenow.
O’Donnell, Stevens, Kurt Grabham, Tom Crellin, John Hooper, Andrew Rimmer, Liam Allen and Byron Daly all came into the line-up.
The unavailabilities due to injury and illness included some of the club’s finest, with George Ioakim, Matt Bolleman, Jordan Clarke, Matt Duggan, Ben Richardson, Angus McKenzie, Emmett and Liam Carroll, all forced to miss out.
The Seagulls were up and about early, playing with plenty of courage, confidence and enthusiasm, challenging the highly rated Stratford unit, prepared to run and carry the ball at every opportunity.
Unfortunately there were plenty of errors and turnovers, which were brought about by the pressure the hungry Swans asserted, which wasn’t helped by the fact that the Lakes Entrance combination lacked experience and some have never taken the field in a match together.
The Swans classy field unit continually pushed the ball forward into the 50 metre arc, ensuring their forwards had plenty of shots at goal, but to the Seagulls’ credit they continued to apply the pressure over four quarters, which made it difficult for Stratford to convert its opportunities.
Will Webb caused plenty of headaches for Lakes Entrance coach, Ben Rotheram and coaching panel, finishing with six goals, while centre half forward Tim Hawkins slotted three.
Rotheram was delighted by the form of debutantes, Stevens and O’Donnell, both looking to have a huge future at senior football.
The Swans were led by its outstanding half back line, Lewis Bolton, Nathan French and Jack Rietschel, while best for the Seagulls were Jordan Cullen, Sam East, Sabastian Etheridge, Grabham, Stevens and Caleb O’Donnell.
