Gippsland Times | WY Yung all but ended the finals hopes of Boisdale-Briagolong, cruising to a 60-point win on Saturday.
Nine goals to Mark Sellings helped the Tigers to the 21.10 (136) to 11.10 (76) victory, their 10th of the season and one which keeps them on top of the East Gippsland football ladder.
A blistering nine-goal to two first quarter set-up Wy Yung’s win, with the injury-depleted Bombers side unable to match their opponents around the ground.
While Sellings was dominant at one end, Callan Egan played virtually a lone hand up forward for the home side, kicking five goals in the Bombers’ loss.
The result leaves Boisdale-Briagolong two games outside the top four and needing a stunning turnaround in form over the coming six weeks if it is to feature in the post-season.
Richard Keoghan was the Bombers’ best, while the Tigers had a number of outstanding contributors and looked every bit a premiership contender.
Swans escape with win
STRATFORD overcame an inaccurate day in front of goal to escape with an eight-point win over Paynesville.
The 9.17 (71) to 9.9 (63) victory ensured the Swans stayed level on points with first-placed Wy Yung and all but ensured a top two finish.
Beginning strongly, the Swans looked as though they may run out easy winners with eight more scoring shots in the first quarter alone. However, poor finishing around goal meant they took just an 18-point lead into the first change.
That margin was quickly mowed down by the Gulls in the second quarter as they kicked three unanswered goals to lead by three points at the main break.
A tight contest continued to unfold in the second half with the two sides separated by just a single point at three-quarter-time.
Paynesville furthered its lead with early goals in the final term before the reigning premiers used all their experience to overrun the home side.
After kicking only one goal in the past three weeks, Jack Bacon got himself back into some form with five majors, while Lachlan Channing was named Stratford’s best.
Paynesville’s Jacob Green also kicked a handful of goals, however it wasn’t enough as his side dropped down to sixth on the ladder.
The Gulls are still in the finals race but currently sit a game and percentage outside the top-four, with a big month and a half required if they are to compete for a premiership.
Seagulls bounce back
LAKES Entrance bounced back from last weekend’s close loss to Stratford to thrash Lindenow by 77 points.
The game was over by half-time, as the Seagulls kicked 11 goals to two prior to the main break to set-up the 19.10 (124) to 7.5 (47) victory.
Lakes Entrance had six multiple goal scorers for the match, led by Jason Puruntatameri with five.
The victory was a vital one for the Seagulls, keeping them locked on points with fourth-placed Lucknow.
Lindenow remains a game clear in third position, however it has suffered two significant losses in as many weeks to leave the door open for teams below.
Magpies belt Blues
LUCKNOW held onto fourth position on the ladder with an 82-point thrashing of bottom side Orbost-Snowy Rovers.
The Magpies held their opponents goal-less in the second term, essentially putting the game to bed by half-time before running out winners 18.26 (134) to 7.10 (52).
Shaun Ryan continued his dominance around goal with six majors, to take his season tally to 56. Ashley Smith was named best-on-ground for the Magpies and was one of their 10 goal kickers for the match.
The win not only keeps Lucknow inside the top four, but brings them within a game of third-placed Lindenow.
Orbost’s win-less season continues despite the gallant efforts of a number of players including Brandon Price, who was named the Blues’ best, and playing coach Dave Waddell who kicked three goals.