In the last two weeks the East Coast Eagles have played against the two best teams in the competition and although they have come up short they now know where they have to improve to be competitive against the top sides in the competition. The club will now take stock and will look towards rectifying the areas within the team that need improving.

On Saturday the Eagles came up against local rivals Pennant Hills and even though the effort of the Eagles could not be faulted they could not match the speed, skill and team work of the Demons. The Demons would run out decisive 78 point winners but it was a case of the scoreboard not quite reflecting the effort from the Eagles. The final score read Pennant Hills 20.15 (135) to the Eagles 8.9 (57).

Blair Oliver was one player who stood up all day. He presented well at centre half-forward and put his body on the line for the team at every opportunity. Gus Seebeck was one to put in a four-quarter effort in the ruck and was a tower of strength all day. Jason Coulloupas after an injury-riddled season started to show the form in the centre that we look forward to seeing more often in 2008. Michael Sankey was also a solid contributor throughout the game. However the Eagles again lacked a contribution from too many while Pennant Hills showed how to have an effort from the whole side.

The Eagles and coach Rohan Graham will now look to finish the season on a high with a win over Wollongong in the last game of the season.

The Reserves took on the top of the table Pennant Hills and again proved too strong for the Demons in what was a finals like game of football. It was skilful and physical and the two teams are sure to continue the great rivalry in the final series in the upcoming weeks. With the win the Eagles have now beaten Pennant Hills twice for their only two losses for the season and have now beaten every team in the competition. Coach Jason Duss would be excited about the weeks to come.

It was a game that came right down to the wire and it was a telling goal from the player of the match James Ford which sealed the victory in the last two minutes of the game. Up front Ben Physick and Steve Bilkey were always dangerous. Ben, taking a mark that would go close to winning any mark of the year competition. Carl Doering again put in a Herculean effort in the ruck and even though week in and week out he comes up against players far taller than him, he never seems to get outpointed. Young Daniel Spiteri showed glimpses of the promising young footballer that he is and at 15 years of age the future looks great for Daniel and the Eagles. The scoreboard in a great tussle read East Coast 11.7 (73) to Pennant Hills 10.9 (69).

The under-18 Premier Cup game was also a great game and unfortunately it was the Demons who come out on top in the last quarter. After being level at half-time and again at three-quarter time it was anybody’s game but the bigger bodied and more experienced Demons' players came to the front in the last quarter and kicked three goals to one.  It once again showed that the young Eagles are not far off the pace and if they can scrape into the finals they can be very competitive.

Alex Groome, Scott Lear and Jeff Gale were fantastic all day. They were also well supported by Matt Power, Josh Shepherd and Nathan Gordon. It was an agonising final score that read Pennant Hills 10.11 (71) to the Eagles 8.10 (58).

For the team to make the four the Eagles must beat Wollongong and rely on North Shore beating St George. If that was to happen it would cap off what has already been a great season of improvement for the team.

The under-18 Challenge Cup team finished their season on the weekend. They were gallant in defeat and all who have been associated with the team are to be congratulated. It is the first time the club has ever had two under-18 teams and the club could not be happier with providing more young players the opportunity to develop as footballers and as people. Coach Jon Lee and all the parents involved are to be congratulated and thanked on a fantastic season and we look forward to even greater improvement in season 2008.

The last round of the year takes place at Rosedale Oval at Warwick Farm next Sunday against the Wollongong Lions. The seniors look to finish on a high, the reserves look to take good form into the finals and the under-18s need to win and hope North Shore do the right thing.