Orbost Snowy Rovers has kept its finals chances alive with an upset win at home against premiership contender, Stratford last Saturday in round 11 of the East Gippsland Football Netball League at Lochiel Park.
It was Blues’ third consecutive victory and second against a top four side, after defeating Wy Yung at Lochiel Park in round nine.
After banking the all important four points, Orbost Snowy Rovers, now only sit four points behind the fourth-placed Swans, with a slightly better percentage, a finals place that looked forlorn a few weeks ago, now well and truly alive.
Both teams went in without key personnel, Wes Russell missing for the Blues, and
Stratford without Jack Bacon and Floyd Fulton.
Orbost was quickly on the scoreboard, a free awarded and 50 metre penalty to Gus Rogers in the middle of the ground from the first act of play, saw the first kick of the match sail through for a goal.
It was one of four unanswered first term majors for the Blues, who adapted to the heavy conditions quickly, establishing a 23-point advantage at the first change, with the Swans missing a couple of goals they should have kicked.
The second term was a much more competitive encounter with both sides having their moments, the Blues adding three goals to the Swans’ four, who were left to rue and contemplate missed opportunities at half time, their eight points for the quarter meaning they still trailed by 15 points.
Both sides had significant targets inside the forward 50 for the afternoon, with Tommy Smith and Hamish Nettleton kicking four goals each for Orbost, while Alex Morcom (five) and Ben Dekkers (three) impressed for the Swans.
Orbost Snowy Rovers senior coach, Peter Seal was delighted with the efforts of both his leading goal kickers.
“They both presented well, marked strongly and kicked accurately,” Seal said.
Stratford challenged the Blues strongly in the second half, but Orbost were up to the challenge, outscoring them in both quarters, keeping the Swans at a safe distance on the way to a much needed and impressive five goal win.
Will Walker led the way for the Blues in ruck, giving good service to Gus Rogers, Braeden Ross, Charlie Mein and Zac Webb.
Mein copped a heavy knock early in the game and had to leave the ground with the blood rule, resulting in Swan’s opponent Cooper Wyld being reported on a striking charge.
Webb was in doubt coming into the match, with his partner due to give birth, but with no child forthcoming he was able to take the field.
Kieran Vickery again impressed running off half back, as did Jamieson Humphreys on a wing.
The best players for the Swans were Jordan Robertson, Dekkers, Blake Cuttriss, Thomas Brew, Morcom and veteran Russell White.
Seal was delighted with the victory and a fitting result given it was Jarrah Nettleton’s 150th game.
“He’s played 150 games since debuting consecutively, it’s an outstanding achievement through some tough times at the football club, it was great to win for him,” Seal said.
Seal was also glowing in the praise of his three players who played on Saturday, who are still eligible for the thirds and backed up after playing in the morning, in the tough conditions.
“Ty Robinson, Bobby Bills and Andrew Robinson all impressed again, we have got some good senior minutes into our thirds boys this season,” Seal said.
Orbost like the other seven clubs in the competition, will enjoy a much
appreciated week off, for the mid season bye, while beginning to focus ahead to their next match on July 19, when they do battle with Lindenow at the Lindenow Recreation Reserve.
Seal is happy with the timing of bye and hopeful of introducing a new recruit in the coming weeks.
“The freshen up will be helpful and Albert Park recruit, Josh Rennie, who has moved to town for work should be right to play,” Seal said.
