After a final day in which all three teams came away with victories against the Wollongong Lions, the focus from the club now turns to the reserves who will try to defend their premiership from last year.
The hard luck story of the day was the under-18 side. They needed to win and hoped the third-placed North Shore beat the fourth placed St George. The Eagles kept their end of the deal up but St George spoilt the party when they beat North Shore. The Eagles ran out convincing winners 15.8 (98) to the Lions 3.10 (28). Alex Groome, Jason Moeller and Nathan Laing finished the year in style.
Regardless of the fact they did not make the finals they have certainly come along way in their development in season 2007. They have improved from one win in 2006 to eight wins in 2007. The coaching staff of Scott Abercrombie, Peter Steer and Jon Lee is to be congratulated for the huge steps forward the side has taken. The players are also to be congratulated for their commitment and effort in wanting to improve. We look forward to even bigger and better improvement next year.
The senior team were never troubled in the last game and ran out convincing 69-point winners. If it had not been for some inaccurate kicking the margin would have been greater. The final scoreboard read the Eagles 14.23 (107) to the Lions 5.8 (38). In a disappointing season for the team, a highlight on the day was the great debut by 15 year old Daniel Spiteri, the seventh debutant this season. If anything, 2007 has given the chance for some of the outstanding young talent to gain valuable senior experience. The future looks bright.
Blair Oliver was outstanding and showed if he had played all season our results may have been different. Michael Sankey again showed what a valuable recruit he has become and we look forward to even more next year. Ben Rogers again chipped in with 5 goals and Luke Stanford finished the year with a bang.
The reserves with little to play for having secured a top-two finish went about their business as they have done all year. They ran out easy winners by 36 points and again this would have greater if they had kicked with more accuracy. The Eagles score was 10.19 (79) to 7.1 (43). David Griffiths, Damian Gatte and Tim Kear all put in great performances and take good form into next weekend.
Next Saturday at Henson Park at midday, the reserves will take on Pennant Hills with a position in the grand final up for grabs. The last game between the two was a great game of football and this should be no different. We urge all Eagles fans to get to the game.
