The threatened rain did not arrive at Rouse Hill on Saturday, but a switched on East Coast Eagles team certainly did. Given a great lead in by the U/18’s who had run rampant over St George, the senior side continued in the same vein winning by 90 points.
Star forward Jamie Vlatko, who has been in sensational form, dropped out of the selected side after straining a hamstring during the week. However, his absence opened the way for Peter Dugmore to take up the running against his former team mates and he responded well with four goals under severe pressure. Scott Pierce was also brought into the side to make his First Grade debut.
The first quarter was a tough uncompromising 30 minutes with the Dragons throwing everything at the Eagles in a fast and highly skilful display under lights at Bruce Purser Reserve. Although East Coast went further ahead in the second quarter, the scoreboard didn’t represent their superiority around the ground. St George kept hanging in there and the home side couldn’t break clear, but it did look like it would only be a matter of time.
The star of the night in the first half was 18-year-old Daniel Spiteri (pictured). “Boonie” was in scintillating form as he patrolled all over the ground, gaining possessions at will. His ball handling belied his age and he went into the rooms at half-time to ponder just how he could do better in the second half. And of course he did, showing enormous courage as he fought tooth and nail against bigger and older opponents. His performance won him the accolades of coaches and players to win everything by way of individual awards in the match.
Led by Spiteri, East Coast blitzed the Dragons in the second half as they clinically and systematically destroyed a gallant St George. Rookie Michael Clinch enjoyed his best senior game, while former Subiaco star Ryan Silvester was all class in the midfield. Steve O’Connor warmed the hands and hearts of supporters with the mark of the year at full forward as he climbed high above his opponent to take a spectacular grab and then kick truly straight over the goal umpire’s hat.
The six goals to the Eagles in each of the third and fourth quarters underlined the difference between the two sides. Although the cold night air brought the dew to the grass, the Eagles were unperturbed with their skill level and ball handling actually improving as the game wore on. At the final siren, like the moon high in the eastern sky, St George had been well and truly eclipsed.
Next Saturday, July 3 sees the Eagles at Sydney Uni for vital top of the table clashes in both Premier Division and U/18’s.
East Coast Eagles 2.4 6.9 12.11 18.14 (122)
St George 1.3 2.3 4.4 4.8 (32)
Goalkickers: Peter Dugmore 4, Damien Bowles 3, Steve O’Connor 3, Dominic Killworth 2, Ryan Silvester, Trent Baker, Dean Costello, Daniel Spiteri, Ben Rogers, Michael Clinch
Best: Daniel Spiteri, Michael Clinch, Ryan Silvester, Damien Bowles, Peter Dugmore, Steve O’Connor
The Division One lads struggled against a stronger Macquarie Uni combination, going down by 75 points. James Mann took the honours as best player and players’ player and it was great to see that he donated both awards to the Cancer Council’s “Call to Arms” appeal which the East Coast Eagles were supporting in round 11.
East Coast Eagles 2.0 4.1 4.2 5.2 (32)
Macquarie Uni 5.3 10.6 12.14 15.17 (107)
Goalkickers: Hayden Benger, Jason Duss, David Clinch, Jared Patira, Ash Moeller
Best: James Mann, James Dwyer, Matt Power, Josh Shephard, Ash Moeller, Martin Karafilis.
Sean Streat’s Division Three side faced a key match up against Macquarie Uni who were neck and neck with the Eagles in the contest to assume 5th position. A great first and last quarter were not enough however to overcome the poor middle quarters when the Warriors ran away with the game. Sam Brotherston put in his best showing for the season, while James Ford was strong in the centre.
East Coast Eagles 3.2 3.3 4.8 8.9 (57)
Macquarie Uni 1.6 7.7 11.8 13.11 (89)
Goalkickers: Brendan Doyle 2, Phil Ragno 2, Tim Coakley, Alex Wynne, Sam Brotherston, James Ford
Best: Sam Brotherston, Liam Madden, Chris Wynne, James Ford, Damian Gatte, Josh Lawrence
Taking the prime spot of curtain raiser to the main game, the Under 18 Premier Colts were magnificent with a 58-point victory over a confident St George, thus reversing the result of the round two match. The boys led all game, going further ahead each quarter as Campbell Ford and Daniel Lim gave their forward line an arm chair ride. Ethan Barclay made the most of the opportunities with five goals.
East Coast Eagles 5.3 9.4 14.8 18.9 (117)
St George 2.1 2.3 5.5 9.5 (59)
Goalkickers: Ethan Barclay 5, Jackson Le Pecqueux 3, Jake Pianta 3, Daniel Lim 2, Campbell Ford 2, Chris Polkinghorne, Matt Lyons, Nathan Campbell
Best: Campbell Ford, Daniel Lim, Trent Monaghan, Ethan Barclay, Jesse Clark
In an entertaining game, the Eagles were not quite good enough to stay with Macquarie Uni, eventually taking a loss by 37 points. Blake Russell and Angus Baird were amongst the best for East Coast.
East Coast Eagles 1.1 2.4 3.5 5.8 (38)
Macquarie Uni 2.4 6.4 9.6 11.9 (75)
Goalkickers: Steve Acland, Kieran Lyons, Jye Hines, Corey Dimech, Matthew Robinson
Best: Blake Russell, Angus Baird, Allan Leabeater, Kieran Lyons, Adam Hutt, Jye Hines
EXTRAVAGANZA
Premier Division
Best: Daniel Spiteri owned by Peter Physick $210.00
First free: Shane Ryan owned by Greg Bell $45.00
Division One
Best: James Mann owned by Maree Gawley $105.00
First free: Nathan Peters owned by Maree Gawley $45.00
Division Three
Best: James Ford owned by Hangan / Ure syndicate $45.00
NEXT WEEK’S MATCHES
The Eagles meet Sydney Uni in crucial top of the table clashes at both Premier Division and U/18 level on Saturday, July 3 at Sydney Uni’s #1 oval.
Saturday, July 3:
Bruce Purser Reserve
10.00am Division Three v Moorebank Sports
Sydney Uni #1
2.00pm Division One v Sydney Uni
4.10pm Premier Division v Sydney Uni
7.00pm U/18 Premier Cup v Sydney Uni
Under 18 Challenge Cup have the bye.
