The East Coast Eagles may have been forgiven if they had started a little slowly after only a five-day break in their round five clash against Campbelltown.
However, this certainly wasn’t to be the case with the Eagles bursting out of the blocks and kicking six goals to none in the first quarter. It was a start that was even more impressive considering the very heavy conditions on a rain soaked Saturday afternoon out at Monarch Oval.
The first quarter saw the Eagles dominate in just about all areas of the ground, having 12 scoring shots to the Blues' solitary point. At times during the first quarter, the Eagles made it look like perfect sunny conditions with some of their play more suited to dry weather football. Steve O’Connor started strongly in the ruck, with Stephen Doyle and Jamie Vlatko controlling things in the forward line.
After an impressive first quarter, the Eagles went away from their game plan and were outscored by a determined Campbelltown in the second quarter, with the Blues outscoring the Eagles two goals to one. If it wasn’t for some great efforts from vice-captain Rowan Bilkey and full-back Ben Bourke, the Blues may have been able to close the gap further. The Eagles went into half-time with a 36-point lead, but the conditions were starting to worsen.
Coach Glenn Garner was fairly unhappy with the Eagles’ effort and discipline in the second quarter and he certainly made his feelings known during the half-time break. Garner urged his players to adapt to the conditions and increase their defensive pressure when they didn’t have the ball.
Garner's half-time message had obviously sunk in with the playing group taking ownership and turning things around. After half-time, it was all the Eagles, scoring seven goals and keeping the Blues to just a solitary point in the second half. The Eagles adapted to the conditions and played some very impressive football for the remainder of the game winning by 84 points, with the final scores East Coast Eagles 14.14 (98) to Campbelltown's 2.2 (14).
On a very tough day for forwards, new recruit Stephen Doyle stood out from all others, kicking four great goals and having a hand in many others. His attack on the football in such tough conditions was certainly impressive. Stephen O’Connor continued his great form in 2011 and he was well supported in the midfield by Daniel Spiteri.
Rowan Bilkey had his usual influence on the contest and Jamie Vlatko and Mark Goodey finished off the work up forward with three and two goals respectively. Ben Rogers, playing his 100th first grade game, was always lively in attack with two goals.
The Eagles now look ahead to their round six clash with arch rivals Pennant Hills in the "Back to Baulko" twilight game at Bruce Purser oval next Saturday, May 7.
Campbelltown 0.1 2.1 2.2 2.2 (14)
East Coast 6.6 7.7 12.10 14.14 (98)
Goals: Stephen Doyle 4, Jamie Vlatko 3, Mark Goodey 2, Ben Rogers 2, Brad Ure, Daniel Spiteri, Ash Moeller
Best: Stephen Doyle, Steve O’Connor, Rowan Bilkey, Daniel Spiteri, Jamie Vlatko, Mark Goodey
In other games, the Div One Eagles lost to Manly by 64 points in a tough, hard match, while the Division Three boys got up in a thriller at Campbelltown by 15 points. At U/18 level, the Eagles easily accounted for UNSW-ES by 67 points, but Challenge Cup lost to Campbelltown by 47.
EXTRAVAGANZA
First grade
Best:Stephen Doyle owned by the K Gawley syndicate
First free: Steve O'Connor owned by Alan O'Connor
Division One
Best: Alex Foxall owned by Frank Ure
First free: Luke McLeod owned by Maree Gawley
NEXT WEEK'S MATCHES
The Eagles enjoy four games at home next Saturday, May 7 when Pennant Hills come to visit in the annual “Back to Baulko” clash.
Always a popular date on the calendar, this match attracts a great crowd with the twilight Premier Division game commencing at 4.10pm.
10am: Division Three, East Coast v UNSW-ES
12pm: U/18 Premier Cup, East Coast v Pennant Hills
2pm: Division One, East Coast v Pennant Hills
4.10pm: Premier Division, East Coast v Pennant Hills
The Challenge Cup lads face the early Saturday morning start at Manly's Weldon Oval.
8.30am: Challenge Cup, Manly Warringah v East Coast
