The East Coast Eagles were soundly beaten by a more determined UNSW-ES Bulldogs outfit on “Ladies Day” at Bruce Purser Reserve last Saturday. Although the loss does not affect their position on top of the table, senior coach Glenn Garner was far from impressed with his team’s performance and will be seeking a radical improvement this coming weekend against Wollongong in the final hit out before the finals commence.

An excellent crowd was in attendance in superb weather. Many had come to see if the competition’s leading full-forward could kick seven goals to take his tally to 100, but big Gus Seebeck was well held by the Bulldogs’ defence led by Andre Pech. Seebeck did however manage four goals, which leaves three or more required down in Wollongong.

Teenager Jack Dimery was East Coast’s best and surely would have impressed the Geelong recruiting staff who have already scholarship listed him with their AFL club. “JD” performed with the maturity of a seasoned footballer, belying the fact that he has only played 16 senior matches, which co-incidentally equals one for each year of his life.  
  
Mark Skuse was at his creative and determined best and this match continued his recent excellent form and also won him the plaudits of his team mates when he took the players’ player vote. Luke Stanford won the Coulton, Isaac, Barber match day sponsor award, even though he played 15 minutes less than anyone else did. 

The loss now gives the Eagles’ coaching staff one last opportunity to reassess game plans, targets and strategies before playing in the second semi-final at Bruce Purser Reserve on Saturday, September 5.   

Scores
East Coast 1-1 3-2  7-3  12-7 (79)
UNSW-ES 5-4 7-9 13-12 17-18 (120)

East Coast Eagles
Goal Kickers: Gus Seebeck 4, Mark Skuse 2, Luke Stanford 2, Ryan Fitton, Ben Physick, Jon Vlatko, Justin Steer
Best Players: Jack Dimery, Mark Skuse, Ryan Fitton, Luke Stanford, Justin Steer, Kristian Pearson

DIVISION ONE

The result of this match would resolve who would get the double chance in the first week of the finals. Going into the game East Coast held third spot behind UTS and Manly, whilst UNSW-ES were fourth, but only on percentage.  In the end it was the Eagles who cemented their third spot with a very impressive 22-point defeat of the Bulldogs, who were equally as determined to win.

A wonderful first 22 minutes saw Bulldogs held goal less and an even better second quarter had East Coast five goals up at the long break. The forwards, led by Moeller with three goals, were in complete control. The defence were impassable with Bleus and (Liam) Madden right on top of their opponents. The midfielders and running combination of Mendola and Shephard received armchair rides from Williams and O’Connor in the ruck.

All in all it was a great hit out for the Eagles “Reserve Grade” as they head into their eighth successive finals campaign.    

Scores
East Coast 3-2 7-3 9-5 12-6 (78)
UNSW-ES 0-2 2-5 6-7  8-8 (56)

East Coast Eagles
Goal Kickers: Ash Moeller 3, Jared Patira 2, Peter Vlatko 2, Darren Chapman, Andrew Polkinghorne, Tim Kear, Mark Mendola, Steve O'Connor
Best Players: Mark Mendola, Josh Shephard, Matt Williams, Ash Moeller, Peter Bleus, Liam Madden

DIVISION TWO

The small Trumper Park oval allowed UTS to cause the scoreboard attendant plenty of grief when the Eagles visited the Paddington venue on Saturday. Already 13 goals up at half-time, a ten-goal third quarter from the Bats made it worse for the East Coast lads.

James Ford bounced back from the disappointment of being dropped from the Div One side by putting in a “best on” performance for the Eagles, backed up by James Denton.  

Scores
UTS  7-3 15-5 25-10 32-13 (205) 
East Coast 1-1  2-2  4-2   6-2 (38)

East Coast Eagles
Goal Kickers: Matt Scholz 2, Sam Brotherston, Ross Donaldson, Lewis Whales, Steve Plumb
Best Players: James Ford, James Denton, Matt Scholz, Ben Hynes, Alex Wynne, Ross Donaldson

UNDER 18 PREMIER CUP

As was the case with the Ressies in Div One, the outcome of this U/18 Premier Cup match would virtually determine the final pecking order on the ladder. The 70-point victory now guarantees Peter Steer’s side the double chance, irrespective of the outcome of next week’s round 18 clash with fellow finalist Wollongong. 

Knowing they needed a percentage boost, a brilliant first half showed that the Eagles had come to play, but they allowed their concentration and pressure to lapse somewhat in the last half and were in fact beaten where it counts - on the score board. Martin Karafilis had made his regular trek down from Muswellbrook and was the form player on the park, closely followed by Josh Patira who was to chip in six goals as well. Damon Steer kicked four to take his season tally to 51 with his 50th being greeted with sustained applause from his fans on the hill.  

Scores
East Coast 4-6 12-9 13-9 18-15 (123)
UNSW-ES 0-1  1-2  6-4  8-5 (53)

East Coast Eagles
Goal Kickers: Josh Patira 6, Damon Steer 4, Sam Pinchen, Alex Foxall, Ben Carey, Robert Goisisi, Martin Karafilis, Jake Pianta, Dean Costello, Michael Clinch
Best Players: Martin Karafilis, Josh Patira, Dean Costello, Alex Foxall, Damon Steer, Tate Dimech

UNDER 18 CHALLENGE CUP

The bragging rights we spoke off last week went to Pennant Hills on this occasion. The lads from Ern Holmes were too strong, eventually taking a 46-point victory on the back of a very strong first two quarters. The Eagles regained some pride in the second half after opening their account and then matching it with the Demons on the scoreboard. Thomas Cunninghamme was East Coast’s best whilst Kyle Healy led the goal kicking with two.

Next week sees the final match for this side when they come up against the Goannas out at Benson’s Lane.  In what looms as very winnable game, Ryan Madden will be looking to close out the season with his 5th win.   
 
Scores
East Coast Eagles 0-0  0-0  3-0  4-4 (28)
Pennant Hills  1-4 4-10 8-11 10-14 (74)

East Coast Eagles
Goal Kickers: Kyle Healy 2, Ben Gray, Matthew Goldsworthy
Best Players: Thomas Cunninghamme, Adam Hutt, Darius Iranzad, James Moynihan, Christopher Polkinghorne, Kyle Healy

NEXT MATCHES

In the final minor round for the season, the East Coast Eagles are geographically parted in the biggest possible way next Saturday. Three sides make the trip south down the Princes Highway to Wollongong, whilst the other two travel in completely the opposite direction out to Richmond.   

Saturday, August 22 at North Dalton Park, Wollongong

2.00pm: U/18 Premier Cup v Wollongong
4.00pm: Division One v Wollongong
6.10pm:Premier Division v Wollongong

Saturday August 22 at Benson’s Lane, Richmond

8.30am:U/18 Challenge Cup v Holroyd-Parramatta  
2.30pm: Division Two v Holroyd-Parramatta