In round six of the AFL Sydney competition, Campbelltown travelled to Bruce Purser Reserve and defeated the East Coast Eagles. The loss hurt the Eagles and on the return leg over the weekend, they were keen to reverse the outcome. A comprehensive 21.19 (145) to 2.3 (15) victory ensured the Eagles completed this task with ruthless efficiency.

The Eagles welcomed a host of inclusions into the side, including premier midfielder Shane Ryan for the round 16 clash. It was however Mike Beardsley (pictured) and Steve O’Connor who took the game by the scruff of the neck to earn joint best-on-ground honours, with Beardsley voted players’ player also.

Blustery conditions meant shooting for goal was a more daunting task than usual, and the Eagles managed only three goals from 10 scoring shots in the first quarter. Young gun Jack Dimery, back from his duties at Team GWS, was providing penetrating run from the half-back line on the vast Monarch Oval.

The second quarter continued in a similar vein to the first, with the Eagles controlling the play. Campbelltown managed their first goal as an unchecked Blues player took an uncontested mark and converted from directly in front. However the majority of play was directed at the high school end as the Eagles got their kicking boots on, including Jamie Vlatko who was well on his way to an eight-goal haul which reinstates him as the league’s leading goal kicker to date. He spent the last quarter starting in the goal square with fellow veterans Mark Goodey and Damien Charleston who also managed three goals between them.

As in the first half, East Coast dominated play in the second, slamming through another 13 goals to one to complete the 130-point victory. The Eagles had the ascendency in all areas of the ground, with the backline free to run off and create play further up the ground, while still maintaining solid defensive work when required. Scott Pierce continues to impress with his steadfast defensive skills. Ryan Fitton, Beardsley and O’Connor dominated their smaller, younger opponents through the middle and racked up plenty of possessions.  

The Eagles take on Wollongong at 2.10pm at Bruce Purser Reserve next Saturday, August 14.