Wings were clipped at Bairnsdale City Oval on Saturday.
A dominating Boisdale-Briagolong ended Stratford’s dreams of defending their 2022 East Gippsland Football senior premiership.
The Bombers defeated Stratford 16.11 (107) to 11.16 (82) to progress to the Grand Final.
Boisdale-Briagolong dominated Saturday’s preliminary final from the outset.
Caleb Calwyn, Thomas Bradshaw and Kelvin Porter quickly distinguished themselves as standouts for the Bombers.
Calwyn kicked the game’s opening goal from inside the 50 with a solo run down the middle of the park, adding a second to the Bombers’ score within the minute.
While Stratford captain Jack Bacon carried the Swans, his standout efforts were obsolete against an on-form Boisdale-Braigolong.
The Bombers lead the Swans 3.5 (23) to 0.5 (5) at the first quarter break.
Stratford started strongly in the second quarter, but Boisdale-Briagolong was quick to regain control of the game.
Calwyn’s strong form continued with the forward a threat in the air.
A diving smother from Jim Reeves, who played the ball to Calwyn inside the 50, saw the Bombers forge ahead early in the second quarter.
Stratford managed to wrangle in a dominant Boisdale-Briagolong ahead of the halftime break, with the Bombers retiring to the rooms leading the Swans 5.7 (37) to 4.7 (31).
Boisdale-Briagolong opened the scoring in the third quarter with a goal just outside the 50 metre arc from Ben Wilkinson.
Stratford was quick to retaliate, kicking their first goal of the quarter.
A high tackle from Stratford’s Nathan French saw Boisdale-Briagolong extend their lead with a goal from Paddy Mac.
Calwyn scored his fourth goal of the game 13 minutes into the third quarter with a high tackle from Stratford playing coach Jarryd Clohesy inside the Bombers 50, seeing Boisdale-Briagolong quickly adding to their advantage.
Tom Jolly kicked the Bombers ninth goal, with the Bombers leading 10 goals to five as the third quarter surpassed the 20-minute mark.
Despite scrappy play from Stratford, the Swans managed to kick a goal late in the third quarter.
Clohesy gave away 50 in the dying embers, seeing the Bombers kick their 11th goal, with Reeves winning a mark inside the 50 to kick Boisdale-Briagolong’s 12th goal just before the siren.
Reeves, Calwyn, Jolly, Porter and Marshall continued to be the Bombers’ biggest threats.
Boisdale-Briagolong huddled closely around playing coach Sam Bedggood at the three quarter time break, with the Bombers kicking seven goals to lead the Swans 12.9 (81) to 6.11 (47) ahead of the final quarter, the 2023 East Gippsland Grand Final was in reach.
“They are a good side, but if we play our brand of footy, we can win this game,” Bedggood said.
“So come on, boys – let’s make it happen. Make it happen.”
The Bombers repeated Bedggood’s final words, “make it happen”, before returning to the field for the fourth and final quarter.
Stratford supporters were spotted leaving Bairnsdale after Boisdale-Briagolong opened the fourth quarter, kicking three consecutive goals.
The Swans clawed their way back, with Bacon kicking Stratford’s fourth consecutive goal in jaw-dropping fashion from well outside the inside 50.
Credit where credit is due: Stratford knows how to play fourth-quarter footy.
But their efforts were all but too little, too late.
Boisdale-Briagolong’s victory over Stratford saw the Bombers progress to the Grand Final, where they will take on Wy Yung.
Reeves, Calwyn, Jolly, Porter, Marshall and Shaymus Wain were best-on-ground for Boisdale-Briagolong.
Bacon was by far Stratford’s best, with Nick French, Regan Tait, Lachlan Channing, Roydon Fulton and Angus Mason also putting in good performances.
