Orbost Snowy Rovers have dropped out of the top four after losing their second consecutive match, overrun by an in-form Lakes Entrance in round eight of the East Gippsland Football Netball League at Lochiel Park last Saturday.
The victory marked the Seagulls’ fourth consecutive win of the campaign, allowing them to leapfrog the Blues on the ladder and take residency in the top four for the first time since round three, 2022. The Blues now sit in fifth place, with plenty of work ahead to regain their position among the upper echelon.
Play commenced in slippery conditions with a yellow football in use. The damp weather initially favoured the bigger-bodied Orbost players, with co-captains Braeden Ross and Gus Rogers prolific early.
Hamish Nettleton, Wes Russell, and Jacob Farley were significant inclusions for the home side, with Russell adding vital firepower to the forward 50. The sides traded goals in the opening term, with the Blues taking a three-point advantage into the first break — a margin that probably flattered the visitors slightly.
The momentum stayed with the home side in the second term as they kicked three goals to one, opening up a handy 12-point buffer by the long break.
However, Lakes Entrance coach Darren Martin made several match-defining moves in that second quarter that ultimately reshaped the contest. He opted to play first-choice ruckman Josh Wykes as a big-bodied midfielder, rotating James Beha and Logan Brown in the ruck against Orbost’s Lachlan Osborn.
With conditions drying in the second half, Martin instructed his side to use the full width of the ground to allow the Seagulls’ superior fitness to challenge the hosts.
The impact was immediate. The Blues slowed to a walk in the second half while the Seagulls slammed home 11 goals to just two, running out easy 46-point winners—a result that looked highly unlikely at halftime.
Emerging youngster Caleb O’Donnell was pivotal on the wing for the Seagulls, playing his best game of senior football and constantly pumping the ball inside 50 to advantage. Former AFL player Mitch Banner continued his sensational season, kicking three goals while playing primarily on the ball.
The Seagulls stormed inside 50 a total of 21 times in the third quarter alone, yielding five goals. This provided plenty of opportunities for forward Tom Hudson, who presented hard all day and was rewarded with three goals. Dylan Nikolajew, Angus McKenzie, and Liam Carroll also chipped in with two majors each.
Beha worked tirelessly in the ruck, while McKenzie and Wykes did as they pleased in the second half, combining seamlessly with Banner, Carroll, and O’Donnell.
For the Blues, Russell kicked two goals in a promising first outing for the season, but Hamish Nettleton, who recently transitioned from the Heyfield reserves in the North Gippsland league, had little impact.
His brother, Curtley Nettleton, was again a standout in the back six for the Blues.
He was well assisted by Kieran Vickery, who gathered plenty of possessions in defence, though his clearances failed to deeply hurt the Seagulls.
Rogers and Braeden Ross tried hard, but their influence dulled after the main break, while Osborn toiled manfully in the ruck against a rotating trio of quality opponents.
Orbost Snowy Rovers must bounce back quickly this Saturday in an away clash against Lucknow if they are to remain in the hunt for the 2026 finals.
A loss to the Magpies would have disastrous consequences for those aspirations.
With Byron Vickery, Max Welsh, and Charlie Mein waiting in the wings to return, the Blues will be desperate to halt their losing slump at two games.
