A disappointing Lakes Entrance was blown away by Orbost Snowy Rovers in their round 16 East Gippsland Football Netball League match at the Lakeside Oval.
Decimated by injuries and unavailabilities in the second half of the season, the Seagulls were pleased to welcome back Liam and Emmett Carroll to the ranks for the clash against their arch rival, who were keen to record a huge win to push their case for a spot in the 2024 finals series.
Lakes Entrance played with plenty of positivity early, taking the game right up to its more seasoned opponents, the Blues showing their superiority late in the quarter, finishing with four goals to one, opening up a 19-point lead.
The Seagulls played their best football of the match in the second term, but their radar was off, adding 1.5 to 3.4, at times surprising the Blues with the ability to turn defence into attack with a quick switch or kick to advantage.
Tom Crellin was getting his hand on the ball in the ruck, with Liam Carroll and Matt Duggan working hard through the middle against quality opponents such as Ash Jonkers and Braeden Ross.
Orbost led by five goals at half time, the Lakes Entrance coaching staff fairly happy with the first half, given the missed opportunities.
The second half was dominated by the Blues who rammed home 10 unanswered goals with Brayden Fenner (seven goals) and Hamish Nettleton (three) terrorising the defenders.
The Seagulls were forced to play one short when Noah Bottom was reported after having words with one of the field umpires, the tribunal to decide if he plays the final match of the home and away season.
A number of Lakes’ players became frustrated at a one-sided free kick count, which can often become the case when one side has so much of the football.
The Blues were victorious by 95 points, gaining enough percentage to climb back into the top four. Time will tell if they hold that place for just one week or into a finals campaign.
Among the best for the Seagulls were young defender Sabastian Etheridge, dashing midfielder Liam Carroll, Matthew Duggan, defenders Tim Sinclair and Liam Allen and ruckman Crellin.
Orbost was well served by Gus Rogers, Max Welsh, Fenner, Jamieson Humphreys, Angus Davis and Clancy Bennett.
