LAKE Boga had plenty of reasons to celebrate at the weekend, welcoming their 2003 premiership players home with a 74-point demolition of the Mallee Eagles.
The Magpies bounced back in the best way possible after their disappointing 47-point loss to NNW United a week ago, with a 10-goal to one second half blowing the game open for a percentage-boosting 15.11 (101) to 3.9 (27) win.
Lake Boga didn’t have things all their own way, with the Eagles managing to stay with the home side in the first half, particularly through the middle of the ground with Harry Allen and Beau Bennett finding plenty of the ball.
While the Eagles had plenty of opportunities, they failed to convert them into scores, which would ultimately come back to haunt them the longer the match went.
Lake Boga got on top as Jake Warren, Tyle Williams and Nathaniel Holmes-Brown took control in the middle.
The difference between the two sides proved to be Lake Boga’s ability to move the ball in transition, especially forward of centre, with Lochie Laing, David Gourdis and Jayden Lonergan all providing strong targets up forward.
Laing would once again lead the way up forward for the black and white army, kicking five goals, while Holmes-Brown and Lonergan also contributed three goals each in the second-half domination.
It was the one aspect of their game which let them down the week prior, the connection between the Magpies midfield and forward line one of the key factors in their loss.
There was no such problem against the Eagles, however, with Lincoln Sieben another key contributor in giving the home side’s forward line silver service throughout the afternoon, along with Warren and Holmes-Brown.
Angus McKenzie turned in a solid performance against Jacob Simpson, with the two big men eventually sharing the points in a competitive ruck battle, while much-improved Magpies key defender Matt Taverna was also important in his side’s successful afternoon.
Harry McGregor battled hard down back as one of the Eagles’ best players, as did Zac O’Meara, who continues to impress as an intercept defender and attacking half-back.
The Eagles will now turn their attention to this Saturday’s away game against Swan Hill, but will have to do so without key players Darcy McGregor and Brent Macleod, with both players set to miss after McGregor broke his arm and Macleod injured a hamstring early.
It was an impressive performance from a Lake Boga side missing key players Angus Monfries, Daniel Dzufer, Brady Hogan and Rory Colville.
Now the Magpies find themselves fourth on the ladder and still a game inside the top five heading into this weekend’s bye.
FINAL SIREN
| Lake Boga | 3.1 | 5.3 | 10.8 | 15.11 | 101 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mallee Eagles | 2.2 | 2.5 | 2.7 | 3.9 | 27 |
VOTES
3 – Jake Warren (Lake Boga)
2 – Lincoln Sieben (Lake Boga)
1 – Matt Taverna (Lake Boga)
