The East Coast Eagles go into next Saturday’s 2009 AFL Sydney Grand Finals represented in both senior grades following last weekend’s preliminary finals at AFL Park in Blacktown.
The club is proud to announce that live streaming over the internet of both grand finals will be available free of charge to supporters around the world.
Go to www.digitalsports.com.au and find the link for "live streaming" in the top right hand corner.
The Reserve Grade Grand Final between East Coast and UTS will commence at 12.00 Midday (Eastern) with the main Premier Division match between East Coast and UNSW-ES starting at 2.30pm (Eastern)
The Premier Division lads qualified a week ago with their impressive victory over Western Suburbs and on Sunday Jason Duss’ Division One team won their way into the big one with a 15 point margin over Sydney Uni. In particularly hot conditions, the Eagles overcame the heat and a tenacious opponent to put together four quarters of quality football. A killer blow was nearly delivered in the last term, with the Students creeping to within one point, but when it mattered, East Coast accelerated away with three goals in as many minutes to transfer into the Grand Final.
Eugene Kruger was dominant on a wing with his fellow youngsters Polkinghorne, Shephard and Costello soaking up the heat to give them even more energy in the crucial last quarter. Up forward Peter Vlatko gave the midfield a target and down back Tim Physick was his usual strong and reliable self, repelling most Sydney Uni attempts to enter their forward 50.
Next Saturday, sees the Hills based club attempting to win its first State League Premiership when it takes on the UNSW-Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs. In their opening clash this season the Eagles took the win by 100 points, but the tables were turned in Round 17 with the Bulldogs winning by 41. Since that last meeting East Coast have only had to play two games to get to the Grand Final whilst for UNSW-ES, the Grand Final will be their fifth successive gruelling match since the two sides last met.
Gus Seebeck (pictured) goes into the Grand Final having now surpassed the 100 goal mark in a season of football. It was a relief to Seebeck when he kicked truly in the last quarter of the second semi-final and he can now go into the big one with aims solely focussed on an Eagles’ Premiership.
In Division One, East Coast go into their 5th Grand Final in a row when they tackle the undefeated inner Sydney based club, UTS. It will be a meritorious achievement indeed if the Eagles can win their 4th consecutive Premiership at this level.
SCORES
East Coast 3.6 5.6 7.7 11.11 (77)
Sydney Uni 2.1 5.5 5.6 9.8 (62)
EAST COAST EAGLES
Goal Kickers: Rod Frost 2, Andrew Polkinghorne 2, Tim Kear 2, Jared Patira 2, Damian Gatte, Josh Shephard, Peter Vlatko
Best Players: Eugene Kruger, Andrew Polkinghorne, Josh Shephard, Peter Vlatko, Dean Costello, Tim Physick
NEXT MATCHES- Saturday September 19th 2009
U/18 Premier Cup North Shore v St George at 9.45am.
Division One East Coast v UTS at noon
Premier Division East Coast Eagles v UNSW-ES at 2.30pm.
The venue is the magnificent new complex at Blacktown Olympic Park in Eastern Road.
THE PREMIERSHIP PLEDGE
On the front page of the East Coast Eagles website at www.eastcoasteagles.com.au you will find the link for “A Message from the Skipper” and the Premiership Pledge.
The Premiership Pledge is your way to add that extra bit of support that the boys may need on such a big day.
Money raised will contribute to the further development of the facilities at Bruce Purser Reserve.
