East Coast returned to the winning list on Saturday when it comfortably accounted for the Balmain Dockers at Bruce Purser Reserve.
The selection of debutants Damon Steer and Tate Dimech for their first Premier Division game, gave the Eagles a line up which included no less than eight players aged 19 or under, a testimony to the recruiting talents of U/18 coach Peter Steer.
The first quarter got underway amid bright sunshine and with Daniel Spiteri’s first two goals in as many minutes, it looked as though the scoreline would blow out to near the 225 point margin between the two sides in the first Eastern Derby in round four.
However, the Dockers just wouldn’t lie down. They kept on coming at the Eagles and by half-time, there was just 29 points the difference.
Former Swans and Collingwood forward Nick Davis got away several times from Ben Physick who had held him well in the earlier match. Davis finished up with five for the day.
The Eagles’ second half left little to write home about as they shuffled the ball around in a somewhat directionless method. Although the Dockers were held to just one goal in the last two quarters East Coast could easily have created a huge gap between the two sides, but failed to ram home the advantage. One who did however was 18-year-old Spiteri (pictured) who, for the second home game in a row took every award on offer. His four goals capped off a superb midfield performance.
Steve O’Connor was strong in the ruck and down forward with three goals when resting. Special mentions to Damon Steer who led and marked strongly to kick his two goals, while Tate Dimech was terrific in the back pocket.
The Eagles still share second position on the ladder with Western Suburbs, but that will be sorted out next Sunday at Henson Park when the Eagles and the Magpies meet in the match of the round at 2.10pm.
East Coast 4.3 10.7 13.12 17.19 (121)
Balmain 1.1 6.2 7.2 7.2 (44)
Goalkickers: Daniel Spiteri 4, Steve O’Connor 3, Damon Steer 2, Damien Bowles 2, Peter Dugmore 2, Peter Vlatko 2, Jon Vlatko, Ben Rogers
Best: Daniel Spiteri, Steve O’Connor, Damien Bowles, Jon Vlatko, Mike Beardsley, Ryan Silvester
In a fiery Division One game, East Coast lost their way in the last quarter after being well in contention at three-quarter-time. Best for the Eagles was the coach himself, Jason Duss who led the way magnificently on and off the field.
East Coast Eagles 4.2 6.3 7.3 8.3 (51)
Manly Warringah 3.4 6.6 10.9 15.12 (102)
Goalkickers: Sean Albert 2, Hayden Benger, Nathan Prain, Jason Duss, Daniel O’Connor, Josh Shephard, James Dwyer
Best: Jason Duss, Luke McLeod, Josh Shephard, Damian Gatte, Jacob Craig, James Mann
It was a hard day at the office over at Trumper Park for the Division Three lads.
UTS 6.5 12.11 19.14 21.17 (143)
East Coast 1.0 2.0 2.0 3.2 (20)
Goalkickers: Tim Coakley, Phil Ragno, Stu McKinley
Best: Liam Madden, Carl Doering, Chris Wynne, Josh Lawrence, Alex Wynne
A comprehensive victory to the Under 18 Premier Cup colts sees them remain at the top of the ladder and considerably improve their percentage. Daniel Lim kicked five goals in a best on ground performance.
Riverview 0.1 1.3 1.3 1.3 (9)
East Coast 4.2 12.4 19.6 23.10 (148)
Goalkickers: Daniel Lim 5, Matthew Newson 3, Ethan Barclay 3, Jackson Pecqueux 3, Chris Polkinghorne 3, Josh Patira 2, Nathan Campbell 2, Alex Foxall, Dean Costello
Best: Daniel Lim, Dean Costello, Jackson Pecqueux, Trent Monaghan, Chris Polkinghorne, Nathan Campbell
Despite the loss Ryan Madden was more than happy with the second half performance of his Challenge Cup team. They fought back well from a poor start, with Josh Bancroft and Jye Hines leading the way.
East Coast Eagles 0.1 3.3 5.4 7.8 (50)
Holroyd-Parramatta 4.6 7.7 11.7 12.9 (81)
Goalkickers: Matthew Goldsworthy 3, Allan Leabeater, Blake Russell, Jye Hines, Thomas Streat
Best: Joshua Bancroft, Jye Hines, Adam Hutt, Thomas Streat, Matthew Goldsworthy, Paul Mildwater
EXTRAVAGANZA
Premier Division
Best: Daniel Spiteri owned by Peter Physick $210.00
First free: Steve O’Connor owned by Greg Bell $45.00
Division One
Best: Jason Duss owned by Steve Gawley $105.00
First free: Luke McLeod owned by Steve Gawley $45.00
Division Three
Best: Liam Madden owned by Greg Bell $45.00
NEXT WEEK’S MATCHES
Round 14 sees three Eagles teams at Henson Park for the clashes with Western Suburbs on Sunday, July 18 whilst Saturday sees Challenge Cup at Rosedale and Division Three at Bruce Purser.
Saturday, July 17
10am U/18 Challenge Cup v Moorebank Sports (Rosedale Park)
2pm Division Three v Southern Power (Bruce Purser Reserve)
Sunday, July 18
(all at Henson Park)
10am U/18 Premier Cup v Western Suburbs
Midday Division One v Western Suburbs
2.10pm Premier Division v Western Suburbs
