After two losses from their previous three matches, East Coast arrived at Bruce Purser Reserve with a pre-determined mind-set to get back on the winning track. The Balmain Dockers were the unfortunate visitors who copped the brunt of that attitude and a whopping 133-point margin was the outcome as the Eagles systematically smashed their Eastern Derby rivals.

The Dockers are renowned as good starters and their first half was as good as you would see, but after half-time when the massive lights took over at the picturesque ground, the Eagles demonstrated why they are on top of the table. An incredible 10 goals without a miss in the third quarter, re-loading with another seven in the last was the reason Balmain capitulated without so much as a whimper. A woeful three behinds was the sum total of their second half effort.

A significant reason for that was “the General” at centre half-back. In his best game since returning from a knee reconstruction, Kristian Pearson repelled everything thrown at him. Heading up the East Coast back six, Pearson and Co are the meanest in the League and will go in to the finals as the in form defenders of the competition.       

Back into the side after a stint in the Reserves, Ben Rogers nailed four goals, the best two of which came from deep on the boundary line in front of the corporate tents of match day sponsor Gary George Lawyers, and the Directors and staff from the Castle Hill RSL Club. But once again it was the “on fire” full forward Gus Seebeck who was the focal point, as he went about gathering 11 goals to take his season tally to 85. With just three minor rounds to go, Seebeck is on target to become only the second player in the last 20 years to kick the magical hundred.

Two more wins from those three games will see the Eagles guaranteed top spot and a week’s rest going into the finals.          

Scores
East Coast 5.6 9.10 19.10 26.14 (170)
Balmain 1.1  5.4   5.7   5.7    (37) 

East Coast Eagles
Goal Kickers: Gus Seebeck 11, Ben Rogers 4, Aaron Byerlee 4, Mark Skuse 2, Ryan Smyth 2, Damien Bowles, Ash Moeller, Daniel Spiteri
Best Players: Kristian Pearson, Gus Seebeck, Luke Stanford, Aaron Byerlee, Mark Skuse, Rowan Bilkey

DIVISION ONE

This was always going to be a massive test for the Eagles’ second senior side to defeat UTS’ first senior team. Up until three-quarter-time, it was a very competitive performance from Jason Duss’ boys and a titanic last quarter was on the cards following a great third term. Peter Bleus had performed brilliantly on gun full-forward Tom Chadwick from the BATS, while Cory Durie was outstanding in the middle.

It all went pear shaped however in the last quarter when UTS overran East Coast and fired through goal after goal to notch up an unanswered eight majors. It was a disappointing end to a great game for the home side. With the final five now settled, only the order remains to be sorted out and the Eagles are aware that if they are to win their fourth consecutive premiership at this level, then to do so they must beat UTS in the finals.   

Scores
East Coast 0.4 2.4 5.11 5.13 (43)
UTS  2.4 7.10 8.10 16.13 (109)

East Coast Eagles
Goal Kickers: Peter Vlatko 2, Rod Frost, James Ford, Josh Shephard
Best Players: Cory Durie, Peter Bleus, Damian Gatte, Josh Shephard, James Mann, Andrew Polkinghorne

DIVISION TWO

If ever there was a match crying out to be won, it was this one. Shaun Streat had his charges revved up for this return clash with the Dockers who, in the earlier round four match, had beaten the Eagles by 113 points. A spirited first half had the home side in the rooms at halftime leading by 10 points and although they were restricted from kicking a goal in the third term, there was only one point in it as they pondered their oranges and listened to Streaty’s tactics at three-quarter-time.

Matty Scholz was fantastic against the club his late father had coached for many years. The fact that East Coast were unable to keep the pressure on in the final term was certainly not his fault as he had a wonderful game, leading from the front all day with courage and strength. Jared Patira was a key focal point at full forward with five goals.

Scores
East Coast 2.3 6.3 6.7 8.10 (58)
Balmain 0.3 4.5 6.8 11.11 (77) 

East Coast Eagles
Goal Kickers: Jared Patira 5, Matt Scholz, Daniel O'Connor, Brent Trewin
Best Players: Matt Scholz, Julian Kasby, Matthew Bailey, Liam Patira, Ross Donaldson, Chris Moore

UNDER 18 PREMIER CUP

This impressive side were again given the prestige 7pm timeslot under lights when they met the Balmain Dockers. As with Division One, the final five is now settled in terms of teams, but not order, so percentage is vital as the competing clubs jockey for the highest ranking finish.

The 108-point victory was welcomed as East Coast had been lacking in the percentage department, but this win has repaired some of the damage. Although they sit second on the ladder, they only have the fourth highest percentage amongst the five finals teams and need to keep winning in their last three matches against St George, the Bulldogs and Wollongong.

Jake Pianta, scholarship listed with Carlton, was again impressive, as was Damon Steer with seven goals. Steer has taken his season tally to 46, remaining as the leading goalkicker in the competition, nine ahead of his nearest rival.      

Scores
East Coast 1.7 7.8 12.12 18.17 (125)
Balmain 0.1 1.3  1.4   2.5   (17)

East Coast Eagles
Goal Kickers: Damon Steer 7, Alex Foxall 2, Jake Pianta 2, Tom McNamara 2, Tate Dimech, Nathan Campbell, Eugene Kruger, Michael Clinch, Jaren Serdar
Best Players: Jake Pianta, Damon Steer, Eugene Kruger, Alex Foxall, Tom McNamara, Tate Dimech

UNDER 18 CHALLENGE CUP

Yet another match lost by less than two kicks has not dampened the spirits of these youngsters who are learning every game - unfortunately they just can’t yet win the close ones.  After leading comfortably at half time they let the Magpies back into the game in the crucial third quarter with lapses in skills and individual concentration.

Thomas Cunninghame took the best player honours while Joshua Bancroft chipped in with two goals.  

Scores
East Coast Eagles 0.4 3.6 3.6 4.9 (33)
Moorebank Sports 0.3 0.6 4.8 5.10 (40)

East Coast Eagles
Goal Kickers: Joshua Bancroft 2, Ben Carey, William Thomas
Best Players: Thomas Cunninghamme, Corey Dimech, Paul Mildwater, Jonathan Ortiz, Adam Hutt, Ben Carey

EXTRAVAGANZA RESULTS

Premier Division
Best: Kristian Pearson owned by Glenn Garner   $250.00
1st free: Steve Merkel owned by Laima Physick  $55.00
Players’ Player: Gus Seebeck

Division 1
Best: Cory Durie owned by Greg Bell at Swans Limos $125.00
1st free:  TBA $55.00
Players’ Player: TBA

Division 2
Best: Matt Scholz (TBC) owned by Karen Madden $40.00 

NEXT MATCHES

East Coast travel out to Olds Park in Peakhurst for the return bout against St George. Please note that your printed fixture list will show this match as being played at Bruce Purser. This is now incorrect as the venues for rounds six and 16 were swapped earlier in the season.  

Division Two and Challenge Cup are at University Oval / Macquarie Uni. 

Saturday, August 8 at Olds Park
10.00am: U/18 Premier Cup v St George
Midday: Division One v St George
2.10pm: Premier Division v St George

Saturday August 8 at University Oval / Macquarie Uni
8.30am: U/18 Challenge Cup v Macquarie University
2.30pm: Division Two v Macquarie University