The East Coast Eagles’ sixth win in a row has provided a massive hurdle for the defending premiers North Shore to even make the finals.
The Eagles coming off their best win of the season the week before against the Bulldogs showed that there would be no let down against the Bombers and they ran out massive winners by 128 points.
North Shore, who had won five of their last seven games, had again looked as though they were once again making a late charge towards finals football. However they came across an Eagles outfit which was better skilled, looked to be much fitter and played fantastic team football.
The Eagles dominated the first quarter but only managed five goals and five behinds. After the quarter-time break the Eagles played sublime football and then kicked 15 goals straight before Gus Seebeck broke the trend with a point in the nine minute mark of the third quarter.
It was another step forward for the seniors and one that certainly had the Bombers stunned at the end of the day. The final scoreboard read 29.11 (185) to 8.9 (57).
Best players were hard to find because of the great team effort. However Luke Stanford was again a stand out and he was ably supported by Damian Bowles who between them notched up near 60 possessions. Aaron Byerlee is getting better with each game and his game was highlighted with five valuable goals. What again would have been pleasing for Coach Glenn Garner was that there were again over ten goal kickers on the day. This week there was 12 players who managed to slot the pig skin between the big sticks.
The reserves also continued their good form in pursuit of three premierships in a row. After an even first half the Eagles dominated the second half kicking seven goals to two. In a game shortened due to an injury scare to a North Shore player the Eagles ran out winners 13.12 (90) to 6.7 (43).
Brad Whale and Cory Durie were dominant through the middle and Adam Power in his first game for the club was fantastic with a six-goal return.
The Premier Cup under-18s team came up against the top side North Shore and was unfortunately no match for the Bombers. The Bombers ran out comfortable winners 15.10 (100) to 3.7 (25). If the team is to be competitive against the top sides it will need captain Jason Moeller and Trent Stubbs back in the team and they will have to continue to work even harder on the training paddock. Sam Pinchen and Josh Shephard gave 100 percent efforts for all four quarters.
The Challenge Cup team had a great win against Pennant Hills and again showed the great spirit which has been evident all season. They led throughout and ran out winners by 9.6 (60) to 7.6 (48). Ben Gray and Matthew Bailey were two players who stood out in a great team effort.
Next Saturday all teams area at home with the Challenge Cup starting the day at 8.15am against the Southern Sharks and all other teams follow taking on the Campbelltown Blues.
For full details of the premiership ladder for all East Coast Eagles teams, click here.
