Lakes Entrance will return to the field after a week off keen to build on its recent victory over Paynesville.
The East Gippsland Football Netball League enjoyed a competition bye last weekend, the Seagulls having plenty of time to reflect on their round 11 victory over the Gulls.
Lakes Entrance will make the trek down the road to Boisdale where it will take on the high flying Bombers in their own backyard.
Boisdale Briagolong looms as one of the major contenders for the 2024 competition, but the Seagulls will take some confidence into the contest given it pushed the Bombers in round four at the Lakeside Oval, dropping away in the final term, finally succumbing by just 22 points.
It was the Seagulls’ second win for the season, accounting for the winless Lindenow in round six.
The young Seagulls, who lost experienced players Sam Nickless and Lucky Whelan in the pre-season, have impressed their coach Ben Rotheram with their endeavour and resilience.
“We have plenty of up-side in our list, we certainly were never going to be an overnight sensation,” Rotheram said.
Rotheram and assistant coach, Andrew Stevens, will continue to promote the youngsters, hoping to get as many games into them in the next few years, as the club rebuilds towards a premiership.
“We hope that in the next three years we can get 60 games into the batch of kids we have now, by then they will be ready to match it physically with the big bodied sides in the league,” Rotheram said.
Kurt Grabham debuted against Paynesville, while youngsters like Alex Jerkins, Oscar Brazzale and George Ioakim have been solid contributors in most games this season.
“Youngsters like Caleb O’Donnell and the Stevens brothers are pushing for senior selection after impressing in the thirds in recent weeks, under the tutelage of Jordan Cullen, who is coaching the players to play senior football,” Rotheram said.
After the Boisdale sojourn, the Seagulls will be at home to Lindenow, another opportunity to bank another four points and show that Lakes Entrance is a worthy destination for potential recruits in 2026.
IMAGE: Lakes Entrance recruit Tom Hudson has been a shining light during his first East Gippsland football season in maroon and white. Hudson leads the league goalkicking with 39, 11 clear of Orbost Snowy’s Hamish Nettleton.
