For the first time since 2019, the WAFL Eagles have recorded back-to-back wins, securing a thrilling two-point victory over Perth in Northam on Sunday.
Senior coach Kyal Horsley said the road trip to the country really highlighted the closeness within the group.
“It was a fun opportunity for the group to go out to Northam for the game against Perth,” Horsley said.
“It was good to get the team together on the bus and see the bond and the connection they’re forming, and for them to perform the way they did was really pleasing.
“We had a young team in and the way they handled the tight finish at the end, and the leadership and control they had in the game was impressive, and hopefully they get real belief and growth from a strong performance.”
Top Performers
Jai Culley
“Outstanding game from Jai, whether at a stoppage or in the air, he had a massive impact. His last half in particular was match-winning.”
Jack Hutchinson
“What a whirlwind few days he’d had. We probably weren’t expecting the game he had, getting picked up in the mid-season draft during the week, flying over to Perth, meeting his teammates and a bus trip to Northam. To produce the game he did and have the impact he had with five goals is a testament to his professionalism already and how well he fits in with the other players.”
Harley Sparks
“Second week down back for Harley, and he’s growing. I thought he had a really strong game last week but he looks more comfortable again this week and he’s putting together an impressive month of football down back.”
Clay Hall
“Big game from Clay, he was a traveller with the AFL squad as an emergency last week, so to come back and have the impact he did off a weeks rest was really impressive. Some real highlights with his transition and he’s really building a nice block of form.”
Tyler Brockman
“Brocky had a big impact on the game, in the last quarter we put him inside when the game got tight and it probably coincided with us piling on the goals and getting us the break. His ability to impact at stoppage was impressive, but before that, his work up forward with his pressure and his chasing and creating turnovers in our front half really set the game up for us.
AFL Listed Players
Callum Jamieson
“Really pleasing return for Jamo, first game back from a lengthy layoff with injury. We know what we get with him as far as a competitor goes, but we can see him growing with his positioning and wanting to help others. In the last quarter you could hear him at ground level communicating and leading the others to get us a win. He performed really well defensively, but it was how much he wanted to help others which was really impressive.
Archer Reid
“It was a tough day for the talls with the tricky weather conditions, the ball was really blowing around in the breeze. Archer’s ability to win or create more contests and apply pressure at ground was highlighted and he’s building nicely.”
Harvey Johnston
“Again with the breeze, it was quite tough on the wing with the way the ball was moving around, but I thought he brought us into the game nicely and had a big impact in the second half and brought real spirit and energy.”
Harry Barnett
“Like Archer, it was a tricky day in the breeze for the taller guys. He got his hands to numerous marking contests and nearly pulled them down, it was sort of a ‘nearly’ day for him. But he reset himself at half time and went out with the mindset to impact as many contests as he can and he really brought hat in the second half.”
Loch Rawlinson
“Worked really hard across the half forward line, set up a few goals for us and applied a lot of pressure, finishing with four forward-fifty tackles, so really strong game from Loch.
Jordyn Baker
“Solid game from Bakes, again building on his defence-first mindset that he’s had over the last month. You can see him really putting it together, he had some big defensive plays for us and then with ball in hand, generated and used his class as he does.
Coen Livingstone
“He competed really hard in the air and gave us some good follow up on the ground, and when he was rucking his work in the contest was good and finished with three clearances and three tackles which is a good output for the big fella.
Tyrell Dewar
“While he didn’t hit the scoreboard with goals, he put himself in great positions and had numerous opportunities where the ball just bounced the wrong way. But I was really impressed with his want and willingness to work for his teammates, he had some great chases throughout the game and got rewarded with 17 or so disposals.
Coby Burgiel
“Tough day for the guys on the wing with the way the breeze was working but I thought Burger’s start to the game was outstanding, some really strong contests and ability to keep the ball in and get us some restarts. His team defence was solid, and his ability to get back and support and then squeeze the ground for us was a highlight.
