Lindenow was too good for Orbost Snowy Rovers in a hard fought battle in round 13 of the East Gippsland Football Netball League at the Lindenow Recreation Reserve
last Saturday.
The Blues were keen to get the four points and maintain their advantage over Lakes Entrance in the battle for fourth spot, while the Cats need to keep winning to maintain the pressure on Wy Yung in the quest for the vital double chance, after they recently slipped to third spot.
The visitors were out of the blocks early, kicking four goals to one, added by a strong breeze, with players like Jamieson Humphreys, Braeden Ross and Tommy Smith busy at the coal face.
Orbost had a couple of early opportunities in the second term but was unable to convert, with the Cats ceasing their chances, taking charge at the stoppages and getting the game back on their terms.
Justin Gould and David Donchi were again pivotal at those stoppages, but it was their ability to find players on the outside like Cameron McPhan and Robert Maisey that turned the game.
The home side kicked six goals to one in that second term, cleverly using the breeze to establish a handy 11-point buffer at half time.
They didn’t win the contest in that second term, that happened in the premiership quarter, the vital third stanza, when against the breeze they manufactured two goals to maintain a nine-point lead at three quarter time.
Former Maffra player, Sam Richards played his best game for the Cats and was pivotal across half back combining with players like Josh Onley, Josh Lando and Jack Van Reyk.
With the wind at their backs in the final term, Lindenow put the spinnaker up, booting three unanswered majors to win by 27 points in an impressive performance, based on a good combination of solid defence in windy conditions, and an offence that has a few bows.
In reality the Cats controlled the final three quarters of the contest, kicking 11 goals to three, leaving the Blues with some work to do if they are grasp a finals spot and be a competitive force.
Logan Dunkley led the Cats’ goal kickers with three, with Peter Harrison on the sidelines suspended, with Rob Maisey and Jake Richards chipping in with two each.
Blues onballers, Smith and Gus Rogers slotted two each, with the former spending considerable more time in the engine room against the big bodied Cats warriors.
Sam Richards was best afield for Lindenow, well supported by the usual suspects, Donchi, Gould, McPhan, Jake Richards and Rob Maisey who is enjoying his time back at senior level in 2026.
Curtley Nettleton was again sensational across half back for the Blues, well supported by Smith, Kieran Vickery, Ross, Max Welsh and Humphreys.
In the big picture, the loss probably doesn’t do the Blues any harm, but the decrease in percent (122 to 117) may come back and bite them in the final week of the season.
The Blues will regroup quickly and welcome Wy Yung to Lochiel Park on Saturday, confident that they usually match up well with the Tigers when they make the trip east.
Sean Nippress, Max Holmes, Zac Webb, Jackson De Prinse, Wes Russell, Jack and Max Herbert all possible inclusions as the Orbost try and settle their line up prior to following weeks, season defining clash with Lakes Entrance at the Lakeside Oval.
