The East Coast Eagles now have two wins and two losses from their four starts in season 2008 after defeating last year's premiers North Shore by 29 points at Henson Park on Sunday.
The Eagles played solid football in the first half and lead by 41 points at half- time, looking to be in total control. However a lapse in concentration in the third term gave North Shore a sniff and Coach Garner looked to the troops for a big last quarter and the side responded. The margin could have been greater if not for inaccurate kicking in the last quarter. The Eagles kicked two goals eight behinds and that left the final score at East Coast 17.14 (116) to North Shore 13.9 (87).
Shane Ryan once again showed his class with another best on ground performance and Anthony Stubbs showed why he should be in the state under-18s selectors’ minds with another whole hearted performance. Ben Rogers kicked another four goals and Jon Vlatko and Cory Durie were valuable contributors over four quarters.
Coach Garner will continue to work hard with the players to ensure the Eagles put four quarters together and watch out when the side does manage to put it all together.
The Reserve grade side continued its great start to the season with a comfortable 68-point win over the Bombers. The boys finished the game off in style with six goals to one in the last quarter and the players continue to work hard together and look forward to every challenge that comes their way at the moment.
Scott Lear was outstanding over all four quarters and Andrew Polkinghorne was all class. Ash Moeller chipped in with four goals and James Mann and Brad Whale gave 100% all day.
The final scoreboard read the Eagles 16.13 (109) to North Shore 6.5 (41).
The under-18s Premier Cup came up against the top side in the competition and the result showed that the side is not far off the mark but it must continue to work at their game in order to beat the Bombers next time.
The Bombers won by 32 points, 10.9 (69) to 5.7 (37).
Matt Power and David Clinch were the two best performed players on the day.
The under-18s Challenge Cup side took on the best team in the competition and everything was going to hand when the Eagles lead by seven points at three-quarter-time. The boys could not maintain the pressure in the last quarter and the Wolves ran out winners by 27 points, Manly 10.11 (71) to the Eagles 6.8 (44).
Stuart Tibben and Murray Bamforth were the two best contributors on the day.
Next week the boys travel to Campbelltown and Monarch Oval on Saturday:
Seniors 2.10pm
Reserves 12.00pm
Premier Cup Under-18s 10.00am
The Challenge Cup takes on UNSW/ES on Sunday at the Village Green at 9.00am.
Good luck this week and we look forward to seeing all our supporters at the Back to Baulko day at Charles McLaughlin on Saturday, May 10.
