And so that ends the East Gippsland home-and-away season for 2023.
In the battle between local rivals Boisdale-Briagolong and Stratford, the Bombers were simply too good.
The home side won 16.9 (105) to Stratford 8.10 (58).
In what was arguably their best game for the year, the Bombers were never challenged in their 47-point victory over the Swans, establishing a lead early to be 39 points clear at halftime.
Boisdale-Briagolong was on top of a flat and disappointing Stratford, winning the contested game and controlling the match from there.
It came after a number of late outs for the Bombers, again having to rely on their depth to get the job done, while for Stratford, they went in with an almost full strength side. Nick French and Reg Tait were notable absences, giving young Ethan Clohesy the opportunity for his debut game.
An under 17.5 player, Ethan is the son of assistant coach Luke and nephew of playing-coach Jarryd Clohesy. A strong, quick footballer, Ethan has a bright future ahead for Stratford.
For Boisdale Briagolong, the win marked an eighth-straight win, the form you can only dream of coming into finals.
The Bombers have taken some notable scalps in Wy Yung, Orbost and Stratford along the way.
It’s this confidence they’ll need as they take on a fast, nimble Wy Yung on a wider ground at Lucknow in week one of the finals.
The lead-up pressure of Caleb Calwyn was again on show at the weekend, as he booted four goals to take his goal kicking tally to 76 for the season, winning the league goal kicking, and quite comfortably too.
It’s been a season that the Bombers faithful can be proud of, and to finish second, giving them the best tilt at the premiership they came desperately close to in 2019.
Calwyn was supported by Brandon Rimington and Ben Wilkinson with three apiece in the Stratford win, with Jamie Mcintosh the only other multiple goal kicker with two.
For Stratford, whilst they were flat, they know how to win finals, evident from their campaign in 2022 where they finished premiers.
Under the tutelage of an experienced coaching panel in Jarryd Clohesy, Luke Clohesy and Rowan Marsden, and the on-field leadership of Nick French and Jack Bacon, the Swans can rebound, and they’ll need to as they take on a surprising Orbost Snowy Rovers at Bairnsdale in a cutthroat final this weekend.
One highlight for Stratford, and football in general on the weekend, was the 150-game milestone for Swans journeyman Nathan French.
French debuted in 2011, playing his first senior game after consistent and solid form in the under 18s competition. A tough inside midfielder, French’s ability to remain calm under pressure and with a strong football IQ he has been a mainstay of the Stratford seniors side for many, many years now.
A broken leg in Round 1 last year could have been excused if that was the end for French, a seasoned veteran who had done his service to Stratford over those 11 years, but a burning desire to play football again, to be around his mates saw him return to play reserves football, and his form and experience ensured selection in last season’s senior premiership.
While French plays in a number of different positions these days, it’s testament to his ability to impact the play from anywhere on the ground. He plays his role, he leads through his voice and embodies what Stratford is about, a positive family club who are there for their mates.
In other games, Orbost Snowy Rovers were too strong for Lakes Entrance, Wy Yung defeated Lucknow and Lindenow handed the wooden spoon to Paynesville.
