East Gippsland Football Netball League matches return after a week off to celebrate the King’s Birthday Holiday Weekend.
Orbost Snowy Rovers will travel west desperate for the points against arch rival Lakes Entrance at the Lakeside Oval.
The Blues’ season is precariously placed, eight points and considerable percentage outside the top four, which contains Lucknow, Wy Yung, Stratford and Boisdale Briagolong who are all playing better football at present.
This was evident by last round’s 46-point flogging at the hands of reigning premier Boisdale at Lochiel Park, who are the Blues’ current nearest rival.
Blues coach Peter Seal will be hoping his side can regroup quickly and bank a vital four points, in a season which began with huge expectations with the recruiting of Charlie Mein and Kieran Vickery.
But a big win by Orbost on Saturday and victory by Lucknow over the Bombers could see the Blues’ bleak outlook improve significantly.
The Seagulls will be looking to bounce back from last round’s 37-point defeat by the Cats at the Lindenow Recreation Reserve.
A poor effort in the third term which infuriated coach Darren Martin put them out of the contest.
“We were insipid in the third term, they ran all over us, kicking five goals to one. We need to bounce back this week,” Martin said.
The Seagulls look likely to regain, Sam
Nickless and Mitch Banner from injury, Seb Etheridge will return, while Josh Piper will come into calculations after racking up massive numbers in his first game for the season in the reserves.
“We will have some big ins, Sam Brown hopefully will come up and we will definitely look at Jesse Gillham and Josh Piper,” Martin said.
Orbost and Lakes clashes are traditionally close, regardless of positions on the ladder and no one is more desperate for a win than Orbost Snowy Rovers.
Martin is expecting to see the Blues play their possession brand of football.
“We will need to man up and cut up the easy possession options, while using the handball and kick style of play a little quicker than we have in recent weeks,” Martin said.
The weather is expected to clear before the weekend, but you can still expect both sides to play a tough and hard style of football.
After a competition break for the King’s Birthday holiday long weekend, Orbost’s juniors will recommence their East Gippsland Junior Football Association season on Sunday when they host Bairnsdale at Lochiel Park.
