Liam Durkin

ANYONE see that coming?

Stratford received a huge reality check in Round 12 of East Gippsland football.

The Swans drove back from Orbost with their wings clipped, after losing 15.14 (104) to 9.11 (65).

Orbost Snowy Rovers walked on water in the first quarter, kicking an incredible eight goals to one.

Having knocked the stuffing out of the Swans, the Blues held sway until the main break, where they took a 35-point lead.

Down but not out, Stratford mounted a comeback, and had the situation looking less alarming at three quarter time, with a 23-point deficit staring them in the face.

OSR however could not be denied, and finished with three goals to claim a famous victory after keeping the Swans goalless in the final term.

Jamieson Humphreys was best for the winners, while Hamish Nettleton was outstanding, scoring seven goals.

Others to play well were Gus Rogers, Max Herbert, Sam Thomson and Aiden Giove.

Lincoln Toner, Angus Mason, Regan Tait, Zane Perkins, Lachlan Channing and skipper Nick French played well for Stratford.

In a contrasting aftermath, the result meant OSR took a giant step toward playing finals, while Stratford was bundled out of the top-two.

If the Blues happen to qualify, it will be the first time they have done so since 2017.

OSR had won just eight games in five years before this season, and now have seven to their credit.

The Blues are currently fifth, but equal-fourth with Lucknow.

The Magpies have a tough run home, playing three of the top four sides in the last four rounds.

On the other hand, OSR has games against bottom-two sides Paynesville and Lakes Entrance to come.

If results go as expected, and OSR beats Lucknow in Round 14, it should be enough to see the Blues play finals.

Compounding the issue for Stratford is the absence of playing-coach Jarryd Clohesy, who was serving week one of a two week suspension at the weekend.

Being a suspended playing-coach means he is unable to address the playing group on game day.

Pessimists among the Swans camp may be fearing the side is directionless without their leader, although those tending to be more optimistic may simply put the performance against OSR down to a ‘bad day at the office’.

Whatever school of thought, the reigning premier will know ‘premierships aren’t won in July’.

Just if they get another crack at defending their premiership remains to be seen.

 

BOISDALE-BRIAGOLONG went to outright second.

The Bombers benefitted from Stratford’s loss, going a game clear of their Avon rival after defeating Paynesville.

The result was hardly convincing however, as Boisdale-Briagolong won 18.10 (118) to 14.6 (90).

The Bombers had to pull it out of the fire in the last quarter, after being down by 11 points at three quarter time.

A disbelieving home crowd would have been fearing the worst at the start of the last, but Boisdale-Briagolong was able to kick seven goals to one in a dominant display.

As they say, sometimes you have to win ugly.

Honours were shared in the opening term, as teams went into their huddle virtually on level-pegging.

The Gulls enjoyed a strong second quarter, adding six goals to four to take a 10-point lead into the sheds.

Both teams then kicked three goals each, before the Bombers came home with flying colours.

Tom Jolly kicked four goals for the winners, as did Jim Reeves in a best-on-ground display.

Others to play well were Daniel Johnson, Paddy Mack, Sam Bedggood and Ben Missen.

Best for Paynesville was Brayden Radford, Jordan Dadswell, Nick Pincott, skipper Alex McLaren (four goals), Scott Joustra and Ben McKinnon.

While the result went as predicted, the margin perhaps underlined just how tough it will be to defeat top side Wy Yung when it comes to the crunch.

Granted Boisdale-Briagolong has beaten the Tigers this season, Wy Yung is perhaps just peaking as the most important time of the season rolls around.

Paynesville, who have won just two games, came into the match against Boisdale-Briagolong off the back of a 145-point shellacking against Wy Yung, the very week after beating top-four side Lucknow.

Given how hard Boisdale-Briagolong had to work to stave off Paynesville, it begs the question: Is anyone getting near Wy Yung?

 

SPEAKING of Wy Yung, they did a number on Lakes Entrance.

The Tigers won 23.17 (155) to 2.5 (17), and look certain to claim the minor premiership as a result.

The home side didn’t let in a goal in the first half, and found five goals each from the boots of Brodie Anderson and Brad Daniel.

Norman Betts was prominent in the win, and received good support from Harry Kellow, Jet Kellow, Jock Overend, Dylan Wilson and Marcus Hottes.

Liam Carroll, Sabastian Etheridge, Oscar Brazzale, Matt Duggan, Matt Bolleman and former Moe player Bryce Collings battled hard.

While Collings was known as ‘The Wizard’ in his time at Moe, unfortunately for the Seagulls, any such magic appears to have dissipated.

 

LUCKNOW maintained their pathway to finals after taking care of Lindenow.

The Cats competed well in the first half, but fell away as the game wore on, in a final scoreboard that read 17.16 (118) to 10.10 (70).

Joel McNamara, Glen Perkins, Jamie Seymour, Dion Grace, Jesse Glassborrow and Jake Richards were solid for the Magpies.

Better players for Lindenow were Cooper Shaw, Josh Lando, Brodie Cameron, Jarrod Bence, Ash Gould and Josh Wharton.