The brilliant weather at Blacktown Olympic Park brought out a strong crowd, as well as the best in the Eagles, when they defeated Western Suburbs by a convincing 55 points in the AFL Sydney Preliminary Final. Buoyed by the thrilling Under 18 Premier Cup victory earlier in the day, not once did East Coast allow the Magpies to make any challenge at all to their superiority on the day.
Glenn Garner had specifically plotted a plan of attack for Wests, given that they had defeated the Eagles just two weeks earlier in the qualifying final. No such second chance applied for this game however with the losers disappearing altogether from the finals race. Right from the get go, the Eagles took the initiative and appeared to be the team to beat. They were positive, sharp and followed Garner’s game plan to the letter, whereas the Maggies appeared unusually lethargic and slow.
The first quarter result was encouraging enough, with a four-goal lead at the short break, but the Eagles flew away in the second to have a match winning 39-point lead at half-time. There were no passengers on the Eagle train, but Damien Charleston was once again the outstanding player on the ground. The “Fist” is in superb touch as the grand final approaches. Together with rookie Dean Costello, these two set about wreaking havoc amongst the Magpie defenders. In fact, Costello is also eligible to play for the U/18’s in their grand final next week as well, however based on his current form, a spot in the senior side is guaranteed.
The rooms at half-time saw a calm and contented Garner re-visit the masterplan with his troops, who then returned to battle ready for the all important third quarter. And again, the Eagles extended the margin, this time out to 46 points. Peter Vlatko and Ben Rogers had returned to the side to replace the injured Ryan Silvester and Jamie Vlatko and they each held their own well in this quarter kicking valuable majors to keep the clock ticking over.
No one in the Eagles camp took that lead for granted and a full-on last quarter was still needed to ensure East Coast took to the big stage next week for the fourth time in five years. By this point, the Magpies had run out of legs and players of the ilk of Bowles, Spiteri, Beardsley and Chapman rang rings around their counterparts. The Eagles back six defended stoutly to once again back up their season statistics that these guys (Physick, Bilkey, Pearson, Steer, Dimery and Kruger) are very, very good at what they do.
When the final siren sounded, it signalled the opportunity for the East Coast Eagles to secure back to back premierships in season 2010. Quite a remarkable achievement, given the loss of 12 players from last year’s winning side. However Glen Garner has brilliantly moulded a group of guys who started well, fell away mid season, but are now primed to give their all for their coach and club next Saturday.
Scores: Premier Division
Western Suburbs 0.3 2.8 4.11 6.15 (51)
East Coast 4.3 9.5 12.9 16.10 (106)
Goal kickers: Peter Vlatko 2, Damien Charleston 2, Darren Chapman 2, Peter Dugmore 2, Ben Rogers 2, Damien Bowles, Rowan Bilkey, Steve O’Connor, Kristian Pearson, Mark Goodey, Daniel Spiteri
Best players: Damien Charleston, Dean Costello, Mike Beardsley, Steve O’Connor, Rowan Bilkey, Jack Dimery
Scores: U/18 Premier Cup
East Coast 2.1 5.2 7.4 8.7 (55)
North Shore 2.2 2.5 4.7 6.9 (45)
Goal kickers: Ethan Barclay 2, Nathan Campbell, Daniel Lim, Michael Clinch, Dominic Killworth, Alex Foxall, Chris Polkinghorne.
Best players: Trent Monaghan, Louis Butler, Alex Foxall, Jack Hemmings, Dominic Killworth, Jake Pianta.
GRAND FINAL WEEK DIARY
Training at Bruce Purser Reserve
Tuesday, September 14 and
Thursday, September 16
Come along at 6pm on both nights, but in particular Thursday night to join with other Eagles supporters to enjoy a cold drink and a dimmie or two.
Grand Final Day
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Blacktown Olympic Park - Eastern Road in Rooty Hill
AFL Sydney U/18 Premier Cup Grand Final
East Coast Eagles v Sydney Uni
9.45am
AFL Sydney Premier Division Grand Final
East Coast Eagles v Sydney Uni
2.30pm
Post-match function
7pm, Bruce Purser Reserve
Full details to follow...
Eagles Family Day
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Mean Fiddler Hotel
