Bairnsdale has claimed a Gippsland League win of significance and substance, defeating Drouin at Bairnsdale City Oval on Saturday by 28 points to keep its slim finals hopes alive.

With a slew of injuries decimating the side over recent weeks and another likely season ender to young gun, Byron Vickery, who dislocated his hip, the Redlegs showed the fight needed to keep their season alive, led by Shaun Wyatt, who was battling his own calf injury concern.

Wyatt enjoyed an extended period in attack to finish with five majors, playing a key role as the side kicked six unanswered second quarter goals to lead by 35 at the long break, before Wyatt booted all three of Bairnsdale’s third quarter goals to extend the margin to 42.

Despite Drouin booting five final quarter goals, the damage had been done.

The Redlegs’ fifth victory of the season snapped a four-game losing streak and ensured it held onto sixth position, just two wins behind the Hawks, who have faltered over the past month.

With winnable matches against Wonthaggi, Warragul and Traralgon on the run home, the Redlegs are still alive.

Drouin kicked the first goal of the contest through Jackson Kos in the opening minute, finding space in a congested forward 50m and snapping truly on his left.

Following consecutive Brayden Radford misses, Nic Bulmer slotted a brilliant goal from the clubrooms pocket, after receiving hands from Wyatt.

Bulmer’s effort was bettered by Byron Vickery at the 11-minute mark when he marked strongly on the line following a long entry from Ricky Tatnell. Vickery, on his trusty left boot from the side favoured by right footers, drilled a tight set shot to put the Redlegs ahead by five. Drouin answered through Liam Axford following a long kick from Chris Robinson, however, debutant, Harry Cook, kicked his first senior goal when he marked a long Nathan Dennison ball to space. It was the fifth lead change of the match as Bairnsdale moved to a five-point lead.

Radford, after two earlier misses, made the most of another smart Dennison pass, nailing a set shot after the siren on a 45-degree angle siren for a 12-point lead at the break.

Bairnsdale’s late goal was rewarded for its ball dominance. The Redlegs started to take control as the quarter went on, however didn’t capitalise immediately.

Drouin was first to score in the second term with Tom Barr goaling after marking a quick Bob McCallum kick forward.

Dennison answered with a bullocking goal at the five-minute mark, crumbing a ball at the top of the goalsquare and fending off three Hawks defenders with his right hand, dropping the ball with his left foot onto his right boot and finding the middle.

Wyatt then kicked the first of his five when he roved perfectly on the goal line from a long Liam Giove set shot, extending the home side’s lead to 17 at the 12-minute mark.

Wyatt then found Dennison on a searching lead, who after marking strongly handed to Keenan Hynes, who successfully set sail from beyond 50m. It was one-way traffic for the Redlegs, who were starting to move the ball with poise.

Jason Waddell, playing his first senior match of the season, turned back the clock when he broke free from the centre clearance off the wing and found Wyatt deep in attack for his second. Bairnsdale was out to a 29-point lead.

Vickery would go down in a marking contest at centre wing soon after, dislocating his hip and forcing a brief stoppage in the match.

When play resumed, Drouin somewhat regrouped, limiting the bleeding for five minutes until Russ Cowan goaled from long range in transition.

The Hawks held firm until the half time siren, however it was all Bairnsdale in the second quarter as the lead ballooned out to 36 at the long break.

Again it was Drouin who kicked the first goal of the third quarter – its first goal since the opening minute of the second quarter through a Sam Clebney set shot, yet as had been the case throughout the day, Bairnsdale hit back. It was their main man, Wyatt, who provided the response, marking on a long lead at the 50m arc, wheeling onto his right boot and delivering with a long goal. Robinson reduced Bairnsdale’ s margin to 28 after a strong mark in front of Harry Gibbs, however, when Wyatt nailed his fourth when Tatnell switched across the 50m arc Bairnsdale regained a 34-point lead. Wyatt’s fifth – a mark and snap on the goal line after a quick transition Bairnsdale had all but sealed victory. The lead was out to 41 points.

Despite Drouin kicking the opening two goals of the final term, Ben McKinnon steadied for the Redlegs when he earned a holding the ball free kick at the seven-minute mark.

The Hawks then put three goals together in the following seven minutes to get within 16, however the Redlegs then locked down.

Link Robinson sealed victory after being legged in a tackle, nailing a long set shot on the museum side at the 25-minute mark.

Kieran Vickery who had played the majority of the day in defence snapped the final major of the game only seconds prior to the siren.

Wyatt was the star with five majors, while their were 10 individual goalkickers.

Callan McKeon and Tomm Bryan continued their consistent ball-winning midfield form, while Dennison – playing as the key target in a small forward line presented well, marked strongly, passed smartly and aside from some inaccurate kicking, could have had three or four goals himself.

IMAGE:
Bairnsdale’s Nathan Dennison booted one goal during his side’s Gippsland League win over Drouin at Bairnsdale City Oval on Saturday by 28 points to keep its slim finals hopes alive. Bairnsdale will face off against Moe at Moe this Saturday in a must-win contest. K873-62