Disappointment for Lakes Entrance thirds in East Gippsland Football Netball League finals, when they were eliminated in straight sets after finishing second
on the ladder after the home and away season.
Hoping to bounce back after going down to minor premier, Lindenow, in week one, the Seagulls found the Orbost Snowy Rovers a task too hard in the preliminary final at the Lindenow Recreation Reserve last Saturday.
The Blues were victorious, defeating Lakes Entrance by 35 points, earning a crack at premiership glory.
In less than ideal conditions the Seagulls didn’t kick their first goal of the game until late in the final term with the heat well and truly out of the match by then.
The Blues made good use of the wind in the first quarter, gaining a 13-point advantage by quarter time, as the Seagulls tried to restrict the damage by bottling the ball up on the defensive side.
Charlie Goold was giving his all across half back for the Seagulls, getting support from Kurt Grabham and Baxter Bennett, while Max Stevens continued to impress.
The Blues adopted a similar scenario in the second term, continually frustrating the Seagulls, who struggled to get the ball back into the corridor.
Orbost Snowy Rovers weren’t able to score, but restricted Lakes Entrance to just four behinds, the lead cut back to nine points at half time.
The third quarter was always going to be crucial, with Lakes Entrance needing to restrict the damage with the breeze to be any chance of running over Orbost in the final term, with the breeze at its back.
Unfortunately the Blues came out firing after half time, kicking three unanswered goals as their midfield dominated and they used the wind to advantage by kicking the ball long at any opportunity.
The last quarter was party time for the Blues as Kruze Farley (four goals), entertained the crowd with his extraordinary goalkicking talent, as the Seagulls got on the board
with majors to Angus Stevens and Oscar Hopkins.
Among the best players for the Seagulls were Goold, Grabham, Bennett, Max Stevens, James Daly and Sloane Wisby.
The recent East Gippsland Football Netball League vote count and presentation night saw two awards go the way of the Seagull participants.
Mikaela Witherow was awarded the runner-up in the “B” grade best and fairest while the Yates family was honoured for their contribution in the volunteer of the year section.
