As the weather begins to warm, so too does the anticipation of finals football. However, before the East Coast Eagles take part in the 2010 finals series, their round 17 clash with Wollongong loomed as a potential stumbling block. In 2009, the Eagles lost to the then 9th placed Lions in round 18 before going on to win the premiership. No such misfortune was to occur this time, with the Eagles going on to record a comprehensive 33.33 (231) to 8.7 (55) victory over the boys from Illawarra.
With a slight breeze pushing across Bruce Purser Reserve, the Eagles took to the task immediately, having full control of the match all across the park. Nineteen scoring shots to one in the first term put to bed any thoughts of a reoccurrence of last year, however the Eagles still had plenty to work on, kicking 8.11, a result of the forward line taking shots from all sorts of tight angles, rather than finding a team mate in a preferred position.
Young Daniel Spiteri (pictured) notched up his fourth straight best-on-ground performance on home soil, amazing all with his determined ball-winning abilities and his silky skills. Ryan Fitton and Mike Beardsley were again a driving force in the middle of the ground, winning the majority of centre clearances to give the Eagles forwards plenty of opportunities.
By half time the Eagles held an 11-goal lead. The Lions had managed to claw back three goals in the second term, however Ben Rogers was returning to his best football, finishing the day with 6 goals. The third term was again plagued with inaccuracy, a worrying trend that will need to be addressed in the coming weeks. Pete Vlatko, one of the three Vlatko brothers that started on an imposing half forward line, did nothing to hurt his chances of a finals berth, taking a number of strong marks and bagging four goals.
By the last quarter, the sun was beginning to dip and everyone was preparing to head home for the evening. Thirty-eight minutes later, the football was still going, courtesy of a 14-goal to four final term, which had all at the ground checking their watches. Shane Ryan popped up with four goals in the last quarter and Rowan Bilkey managed to slot through his first of the year.
Earlier in the day, club stalwart, Jason Duss, lead his Division One team to victory in his 400th match for the East Coast Eagles/Baulkham Hills Football Clubs. This was an amazing achievement for one of the club’s favourite sons. Next Saturday the Eagles head to Pennant Hills to fight for the Warren ‘Pops’ Quintrel Shield at Ern Holmes Oval at 2.30pm.
