Despite losing to reigning premier Boisdale Briagolong by five goals at the Cabbage Patch last Saturday during round 14 of the East Gippsland Football Netball League, Orbost Snowy Rovers’ chances of sneaking into the 2025 finals series are very much alive.
Given the form of current fourth-placed side Stratford, there is even an argument the results of the weekend have strengthened the Blues’ case, although not mathematically.
The Swans were soundly beaten at Lucknow Recreation Reserve by the Magpies, succumbing by a sensational 74 points, indicating their season is on the skids.
They hold a four-point and 15 per cent advantage over the Blues, with games against Wy Yung (home), Lindenow (home) and the Bombers (away) to come in the final three rounds.
Based on last Saturday’s performance they wont beat Wy Yung and will struggle against the Bombers, though they did win at the Cabbage Patch in round one, which is a positive.
Against that is that Bombers will not be keen to drop four points in the final round to a side it may have to play eight days later, and will be keen to go into its defence of the flag in top form.
Even Lindenow in the middle fixture will present a challenge given it will go into the match, off the back of two morale-boosting wins against Lakes Entrance and Paynesville.
In reality the Blues may only need two wins – Lakes Entrance and Paynesville – the latter by more than 150 points to secure a ticket for the second time in three years.
The other fixture wedged between is Wy Yung at Bullumwaal Road, which will present a huge challenge on the vast surrounds of the Tigers’ home ground.
But no doubt experienced Blues coach Peter Seal will have his side taking it one week at a time, controlling what they can control, aiming for three stoic wins to finish the home and away series.
Boisdale Briagolong got the jump on the Blues last Saturday, kicking six goals to three in a quality first term, with their skipper Jim Reeves back in the line-up after an extended period on the sidelines.
With Matt Wilkinson working hard in the ruck, players like Jackson Glenane, Tom Jolly and Kelvin Porter got their hands on the ball regularly, making it hard for the Blues to make any impact on the 21-point margin accumulated by quarter time.
The middle two quarters were an arm wrestle with Will Walker (two goals) taking the challenge up to Wilkinson, with Thomas Smith and Charlie Mein leading the way at the coal face, opening up opportunities for Blues up forward, where the star was the crafty Jarrah Nettleton who kicked four goals, outshining brother Hamish, who went goalless.
The Bombers got a couple of cheap goals in the final term as Orbost took some risks and tried to muster up some scoring opportunities to mount a late challenge for the four points.
Boisdale Briagolong was victorious, but the Blues were not disgraced. They were resigned to the fact they must move on and be ready to rumble at 2.15pm this Saturday, hoping for a better first term result.
Glenane and his rangy left foot were sensational for the Bombers, as were Reeves, Wilkinson, defender Ryan Marshall, Brandon Rimington and Jolly who didn’t cause his usual pain on the scoreboard, but he was damaging steaming forward kicking to the home crowd favourite Reeves.
The Blues were best served by Jarrah Nettleton, rugged defender Sean Nippress, Smith, Walker, Mein and Kieran Vickery.
The next edition of the rivalry which is Orbost Snowy Rovers verses Lakes Entrance will engross the crowd at Lochiel Park this week. Most times the sides clash it’s a close and enthralling contest, regardless of their positions on the ladder.
Both sides will be disappointed by their efforts last Saturday and will be keen to bounce back, with the Seagulls going down to Lindenow in a match that looked winnable on paper.
There is one thing that is guaranteed, Lakes Entrance would like nothing better than to stop a potential Orbost Snowy Rovers finals campaign in its tracks.
There will be no cruising to season’s end for either team.
