Despite victories over Pennant Hills in both 2007 minor round games, East Coast could not achieve their desired third consecutive win in the second semi-final at Henson Park on Saturday. The extremely young side who ran out had an average age of 21.2 years and although youth was on their side, physical size was against them.

The Demons on this occasion were too big all over the park and at the end of the day they ran out winners 9.12 (66) to 4.7 (31).

Pennant Hills kicked with a reasonable breeze in the first quarter and the Eagles were indeed fortunate that the Demon accuracy was astray, as they finished up with 2.5 while East Coast were unable to slot through a major. ECE supporters were entitled to think that their boys would come back strongly in the second quarter but it wasn’t to be as they were actually outscored by their opponents kicking into the breeze, to be down by 24 points at the long break.

Perhaps it may have been more, if not for the sterling defensive efforts of Tim Physick (pictured) who once again displayed the excellent form that he has enjoyed for most of the season and was adjudged the Players’ Player by his peers. The coach Jason Duss gave his all in an endeavour to lift his charges and lead by example, but it was to no avail as the second half saw Pennant Hills gradually increase their lead to the match winning 35-point margin.

Andrew Polkinghorne, free from HSC studies for a little while, buzzed around the forward lines to create opportunities while Carl Doering and Liam Madden in the ruck did their level best to compete against the very tall and cagey Demon veteran, Chris Yard.

The loss means that the Eagles back up again this week against Sydney Uni who won their way through from the first semi final with an easy 66-point success against St George. The Eagles have beaten the students twice this year – by nine and six goals in rounds round and 11 respectively. Finals however offer a totally different environment and the team needs to have an improved and enhanced winning frame of mind to be assured of going through to the Grand Final. 

Why not come on down to Henson Park in Marrickville to support the boys as they take to the field on Sunday, September 9 at 12.30pm.