Orbost Snowy Rovers’ quest for an East Gippsland Football Netball League finals spot for the second consecutive year has fallen at the final hurdle.
The Blues started the final round inside the top four but needed to defeat second-ranked Lucknow and rely on Paynesville being competitive against Stratford to secure an unlikely spot.
Lucknow had its own agenda, needing victory to secure a vital one-two finish, the coveted double chance, which could be important given there are four legitimate grand final contenders.
Lucknow got the first win for the day when Jesse Glassborow won the toss, however to the astonishment of Orbost co-captain Hamish Nettleton he opted to kick against a three to four-goal breeze.
Will Walker and Dion Grace started proceedings in the ruck and it looked like it was going to be a fantastic duel in the ruck.
Ash Jonkers started in fine form and had his hand in many clearances early, the first goal came when Hamish Nettleton (two goals) took his opportunity from a ruck contest.
Both sides were struggling to hit targets and both half back lines were picking off many of the forward thrusts, Lucknow led by Andrew Nelson and Glassborow, while Orbost was getting drive from Max Welsh and Curtley Nettleton.
Some long range goals from Orbost proved telling and they used the breeze smartly to take a handy 23-point lead into the first break, Lachlan Fenner maximising his chances to finish with three goals for the afternoon.
The second quarter was much like the first with both teams continuing to turn the ball over, which was frustrating for their respective forward lines.
The Magpies started to get some deep penetration into their forward 50, benefitting Jackson Smith (four) who started to get into the game, taking some strong marks and kicking goals.
Lucknow began to assert its dominance, however couldn’t capitalise on the scoreboard, with Ryan Halford and Joel McNamara picking up plenty of possessions, while Jonkers and Gus Rogers were leading the charge for Orbost.
Lucknow switched Jake Richards into the ruck and the change up assisted the Magpies getting their hands on the ball as the Pies worked themselves back into the game,
trailing by only three points at the main break.
After half time the breeze began to dwindle and Lucknow managed to take full control around the ground spreading the Orbost defence and putting pressure on the ball
carrier.
With the extra entries Brendan Flinn (three) started to get dangerous and was having an impact on the scoreboard, as well as curtailing the run of Blues veteran Clancy Bennett off the half back line.
The hard work of Curtley Nettleton and Jamieson Humphreys was keeping Orbost in touch, however Lucknow’s ball movement was beginning to worry them.
At the end of the quarter Lucknow managed to take a 15-point lead into the last term.
Orbost was not going to leave anything out on the field and loaded the midfield to try and give its forwards more opportunity.
Jonkers, Braeden Ross and Tom Smith (two) were in the middle and they managed to push the ball forward, however Nelson was proving impenetrable and his aerial prowess was thwarting attack after attack.
Lucknow’s counter attack saw Flinn’s smarts up forward turn the game on its head and he kicked two crucial goals to put the game out of reach for a gallant Orbost Snowy side.
As the Blues pushed forward to try and steal victory, it left their defence vulnerable and Lucknow took full control and finished the game strongly by putting the score on the board to end the game emphatic 44-point winners.
Nelson wound back the clock and would have had at least 20 intercept marks for the day to lead the Magpies defence.
Flinn proved the game breaker with his ability to hit the scoreboard as well as curtailing Bennett, while Halford and Glassborow fed the ball to Jackson Smith who was a colossus up forward.
For Orbost Snowy, Rogers and Jonkers led the midfield charge and took the honours over the Magpie midfield, while Curtley Nettleton and Humphreys worked hard in defence.
It was a disappointing finish to the season for the Blues that showed plenty of promise. Key unavailabilities due to injury in the middle of the season hampering back-to-back finals appearances.
The Blues were delighted to announce the resigning of coach Peter Seal for 2025 last week, as they look to get back in the mix in 2025 and beyond.
