Sunday was officially the shortest day of the year, but for Pennant Hills it became a very long day at Bruce Purser Reserve when they were outclassed by a determined East Coast Eagles.
Competing for the Warren Quintrell shield, the Eagles started strongly, but although they had the majority of play, could only kick eight consecutive behinds to allow the Demons to have their noses in front at the short break. Even, Gus Seebeck, the competition’s leading goalkicker couldn’t find the middle.
Proving that a great facility can attract a great crowd, the venue enjoyed perhaps its largest Sydney AFL attendance so far, even though the Round 10 match was played early on a Sunday evening. The misty rain descending over the playing arena was spectacular under the lights, but it did not stop the Eagles from producing a match winning second quarter. Holding the Demons to just two behinds, East Coast quickly broke their duck and booted three goals in succession.
Seebeck finally got on the board, as did the skipper Jon Vlatko, (pictured) playing his best game for the season. His goal was especially for Maree Gawley from Profiler Sales & Service, the match day sponsor in the corporate tent. The Eagles had hit the lead at half time and were not to surrender it again. Indeed they went further ahead in the third quarter kicking another three goals without any sign of an answer from the opposition.
The defensive effort from the East Coast backline was evident all night but particularly so in the last quarter. Last year’s premiers only managed to kick their first goal since quarter time, late in the final term. And even that was from a free kick and subsequent 50 metre penalty. Jon Vlatko deservedly won most of the awards given out post match, including accepting the coveted Warren “Pops” Quintrell shield, which his side had also won earlier in round one.
Mark Skuse was as creative as they come in the forward line and on a night when goals were hard to come by, his was one of the better ones. Luke Stanford and Mark Maher were fabulous and special mention must be made of Kristian Pearson who, having kicked 15 points in a row throughout the season, finally broke his personal hoodoo with a long range last quarter drop punt from the 50 metre line.
The win leaves East Coast on the top of the ladder at 10/10 with Western Suburbs just one loss behind. However the race for the remaining three finals spots has intensified with a cluster of teams jostling for position.
Next Sunday, June 28 the Eagles are away at Sydney Uni.
Results
East Coast 0.8 3.9 6.10 8.13 (61)
Pennant Hills 2.2 2.4 2.9 3.14 (32)
EAST COAST EAGLES
Goal Kickers: Gus Seebeck 2, Mark Skuse, Adam Lovett, Kristian Pearson, Jon Vlatko, Ryan Smyth, Michael Sankey.
Best Players: Jon Vlatko, Mark Skuse, Luke Stanford, Mark Maher, Jack Dimery, Ben Bourke
DIVISION 1
Having been defeated by the Demons in round one, East Coast were determined to reverse the result yesterday at Bruce Purser. Right from the start, the Eagles jumped out of the blocks and were never headed again, finally running out winners by an impressive 37 points.
These two teams are veteran rivals and with no love lost, each match is fought out on its merits. Adam Floyd was near unbeatable at full forward, and his anticipation of the incoming footy, and what it will do next, is uncanny. He was rewarded for his efforts with five goals. Right at his ankles all match was Timmy Kear who swept up any crumbs Adam left for him. Kear was too dominant for his opponents and finished with four.
It was in the midfield where the drive started and it came predominantly from Josh Shephard. Shephard, who won the last two U/18 B&F’s at the club, is now finding his form in the senior ranks.
Next week it’s off to Sydney Uni who sit alongside the Eagles on the ladder with seven wins a piece. Another must win game...
Results
East Coast 3.3 7.5 12.7 16.9 (105)
Pennant Hills 1.1 5.5 8.6 10.8 (68)
EAST COAST EAGLES
Goal Kickers: Adam Floyd 5, Tim Kear 4, James Ford 2, James Mann 2, Ash Moeller 2, Josh Shephard
Best Players: Adam Floyd, Josh Shephard, Damian Gatte, Steve Merkel, Ryan Fitton, James Ford
UNDER 18 PREMIER CUP
In yet another clash between these two near neighbour rivals, the honours were taken this time by the Demons. In round one, Peter Steer’s side emerged victorious by 35 points and continued the recent run of good Eagle form over Pennant Hills. However the tables were turned on this occasion and the tall lads from Demon land won the day.
Justin Steer and Eugene Kruger, both of who have had First Grade experience this season, were the shining lights for the Eagles. Josh Patira chipped in with four to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
Next week sees the Eagles off to Riverview College on Sunday, June 28 at 10.00am. Keen supporters will be able to get this game in before moving on to Sydney Uni for the senior matches.
SCORES
East Coast 2.2 7.3 7.3 10.5 (65)
Pennant Hills 3.4 6.6 10.7 13.8 (86)
EAST COAST EAGLES
Goal Kickers: Josh Patira 4, Tom McNamara 3, Tate Dimech 2, Trent Monaghan
Best Players: Justin Steer, Eugene Kruger, Dean Costello, Tom McNamara, Josh Patira, Anthony Baddock
DIVISION 2
Our rookie third senior side were no match for the undefeated Southern Power who continued on with their demolition of most sides in this competition. Defeat by 127 points is character building and it will improve their determination in matches to come.
In his return from a nasty round one arm fracture, Ash Loxton quickly found his feet and will be challenging for his spot back in the Division 1 side in weeks to come.
Results
East Coast 2.0 3.0 4.1 4.1 (25)
Southern Power 8.2 14.6 7.13 23.14 (152)
EAST COAST EAGLES
Goal Kickers: Julian Kasby, Carl Doering, Blake Jones, Brent Trewin
Best Players: Ash Loxton, Liam Patira, Carl Doering, Rod Frost, Brent Trewin, Tim Jenson
UNDER 18 CHALLENGE CUP
It was a very misty morning at 9.00am when these boys kicked the dew off the grass. In fact, once the game had commenced using signalling devices between the umpires and the time keepers, the fog actually intensified and the brilliantly lit Eagle scoreboard was virtually invisible.
Nevertheless the equal ladder leaders proved to be too dominant and took a handy 42-point lead into the long break. The Eagle second half however was a much improved performance and although they were probably never going to win, East Coast matched the visitors in the third and fourth quarters.
Once the fog had lifted we saw that Alex Foxall, Adam Hutt and Jaren Serdar were best for the home side.
Results
East Coast 0.1 0.4 1.7 3.8 (26)
Southern Power 2.3 7.4 9.5 12.6 (78)
EAST COAST EAGLES
Goal Kickers: Alex Foxall, Jaren Serdar, Tom Kitto
Best Players: Alex Foxall, Adam Hutt, Jaren Serdar, Joshua Bancroft, Stuart Tibben, Darius Iranzad
Extravaganza results
Premier Division
Best: Jon Vlatko owned by Trevor Hangan synd $250.00
1st free: Rowan Bilkey (TBC) owned by Steve & Maree Gawley $55.00
Division 1
Best: Adam Floyd owned by The Old Farts syndicate $125.00
1st free: Steve Merkel owned Laima Physick $55.00
Division 2
Best: Ash Loxton (TBC) owned by Steve Gawley $40.00
Joker draw
Number to be advised
Saturday, June 27, 2009
8.30am: U/18 Challenge Cup v Holroyd Parramatta, Charles McLaughlin Reserve
2.30pm: Division 2 v Holroyd Parramatta, Charles McLaughlin Reserve
Sunday, June 28, 2009
10.00am: U/18 Premier Cup v Riverview at Riverview
Midday: Division 1 v Sydney Uni at Sydney Uni
2.10pm: Premier Division v Sydney Uni at Sydney Uni
