David Braithwaite
STRATFORD marked 150 games in East Gippsland football with a 85-point victory over Orbost-Snowy Rovers on Saturday.
The Swans kept their unbeaten start to the season going, winning 18.13 (121) to 5.6 (36) at home.
The Swans also maintained it holding on top spot of the ladder, thanks a vastly superior percentage compared to Lakes Entrance.
A seven-goal to one opening term set the tone for the match, as the Swans applied the pressure which has been a trademark of their season so far.
The Swans won the ball from centre following the opening ball-up, with Jack Bacon’s kick forward bouncing through the big sticks.
A snap goal from Rodney O’Keefe, following a boundary throw-in, doubled the home side’s lead five minutes in. Minutes later, a Bacon kick found Dylan Nikolajew, who handballed to O’Keefe in the goal square for the Swans’ third major. O’Keefe soon had his third goal, set-up by Bacon.
Matt Rogers kicked the Blues’ only goal of the term, before the Swans added three more goals to lead by 35 points at the first break.
The Swans kicked three goals to one in the second quarter to head into the main break leading by 50 points. Both sides kicked three goals during the third term, before the Swans booted the only five majors of the fourth.
O’Keefe finished with eight goals for the Swans, to move five clear on the league goal kickers’ list.
Bacon (four goals), Jordan Robertson and Jacob Bennett also troubled the Blues’ defence. Nikolajew led the way in the midfield, with Andrew Scott again strong in defence.
Hamish Nettleton kicked three goals for the visitors, with Ash Jonkers and Mitch Dignan their best players.
BOISDALE-BRIAGOLONG was too good for Lucknow at home, winning by 48 points.
After leading by 13 points at quarter-time, the Bombers kicked four unanswered goals in the second term to lead by 39 points at half-time.
Both sides kicked five second half goals, but the Bombers’ better first half gave them the win, 13.17 (95) to 7.5 (47), lifting them into third place on the ladder ahead of a big game against Lakes Entrance at home.
Shaun Bates, Nicol Sandison, Mat Goodwin, Daniel Johnson and Nick Marshall led the way for the Bombers, with Andrew Quirk kicking three goals.
Lucknow’s best players were Josh Carroll and Dion Grace.
LAKES Entrance overcame Wy Yung at home.
The Seagulls led by one point at three-quartertime, and while both sides kicked a goal in the final term, the home side had the bulk of the scoring shots (seven to one) to win 7.14 (56) to 7.7 (49).
Liam Carroll and Fraser Dostine were Lakes’ best players, with Xavier Woodland contributing three goals. Kaleb Hodson stood out for the Tigers.
LINDENOW moved into the top four with a 39-point win at Paynesville.
The Cats overcame the determined Gulls 12.16 (88) to 7.7 (49), with Caleb Marsh and Jordan Farquhar their best players.
