Premiership favourite Boisdale Briagolong handed Orbost Snowy Rovers a tough reality check last Saturday, outclassing the hosts by 80 points at Lochiel Park in round 11 of the East Gippsland Football Netball League.
The Blues entered the highly anticipated Worksafe Country Club Series clash in good form following back-to-back victories. Hoping to throw down the gauntlet to the competition benchmark and bolster their 2026 finals credentials, the home side started with immense spirit. They took the match right to the visitors in a hot opening term, trailing the Bombers by a solitary five points at the first change.
However, the short-lived threat evaporated in the second quarter. Despite travelling without prime movers Matt Wilkinson, Kelvin Porter, Jackson Glenane, Nick Marshall and Harrison Swarski, the Bombers sprung into action. Showcasing the slick, fast and well-drilled brand of football that has defined their season, the visitors put the Blues to the sword with five unanswered goals to secure a commanding 35-point half time cushion.
The return of ruckman Andrew McKenzie after six weeks on the sidelines sparked the Bombers’ dominant midfield unit. While Orbost did not shirk the issue, it struggled to contain the multi-pronged attacks launched from half back and stoppages.
Up forward, Boisdale Briagolong skipper Jimmy Reeves and player of the match Tom Jolly created havoc. Reeves, continuing a purple patch since returning from injury, booted seven majors to take a two-goal lead over Lucknow’s Nick Mooney at the top of the league goalkicking leaderboard. Jolly chipped in with five of his own, capitalising on precise and rapid ball movement.
Orbost Snowy made structural adjustments in the second half to control possession, but the immense pressure from the finals-bound Bombers forced frequent turnovers. The visitors slammed home 10 goals to three after the main break, securing one of the most dominant victories seen at the Blues’ fortress in the past three seasons.
Jolly, Reeves, Josh Davis and Jude Scriven led the way for the winners alongside the Brunt brothers, Will and Ben, who both share strong ties to the Orbost area. Zach Webb, Matthew Holmes, Kieran Vickery, Gus Rogers, Tom Smith and Xavier Martin battled fiercely in adversity for the Blues.
It was not all bad news for Orbost, as Lindenow’s victory over Lakes Entrance allowed the Blues to maintain their position inside the top four by a game and percentage.
They will need to bounce back quickly this weekend when they travel to face Stratford at Boyd Reserve. It looms as a dangerous assignment given the Swans just welcomed a massive influx of talent — including coach Nathan Pollard, Lachie Channing,
Alex Morcom, Jarryd Clohesy, Dylan O’Shanassy, Max Lazzaro and Riley Cottrell — to distance themselves from the wooden spoon race.
