Orbost Snowy Rovers return to action this week with a home game against an improving Paynesville at Lochiel Park in round three of the East Gippsland Football Netball League.
After disappointing in round one against Lucknow at home in a match they were fancied to win, the Blues bounced back with an impressive come-from-behind win over arch rival and closest neighbour, Lakes Entrance in round two.
With it being reunion weekend, crowd numbers are expected to swell, with co-coaches Brett Morrison and Clancy Bennett hoping their charges can give the stars of yesteryear something to cheer about.
On paper this week, Orbost will again field a competitive line-up, with new recruits in 2026, Matthew Holmes and Brian Leslie having impressed in both games and bolstered depth.
Holmes has battled diligently in the ruck and is set for an interesting battle with underrated Gulls follower, Joran Farquhar.
The Blues are still several weeks away from being at full strength, where they will be able to showcase the blend of local emerging youth, with some established big bodied stars, who are keen to taste the ultimate football success.
Key players Curtley Nettleton (back), Jamieson Humphreys (forward) and Gus Rogers (on ball) have started the season in good form and will again be pivotal in this week’s encounter.
Paynesville has certainly improved under new coach, Michael Boothey and it looks likely that it will register a win this season, if its early season form is any indication.
A team with Alex Saunders and Ben McKinnon running around in the midfield can’t be taken easily, with any side that is prepared to take the Gulls lightly certainly doing so at their own peril.
Perennial slow starters in recent seasons, if Orbost could register another win this week, and be 2-1, with Max Welsh and Byron Vickery itching to get back on the park, it would certainly get the Blues’ supporters up and about, as they try to push further towards the pointy end of finals action after making the preliminary final last season.
