The name Village Green usually conjures up thoughts of lawn bowls, but it was a Bowles of a different kind who came to play last Saturday at the Uni of NSW home ground in Kensington.  When Ed Wilson went off injured in the second quarter and wasn’t to return, 21 year old Damien Bowles was moved into the ruck where he came of age against the big Bulldog, Earl Shaw.

Despite a height disadvantage of five inches, Bowles, who has a remarkable vertical leap capability, out jumped Shaw at the centre bounces and boundary throw ins. At the same time, he dominated around the ground where his superior fitness allowed him to pick up an excellent 26 possessions for the match. And gave coach Garner an extra midfielder.

Although Bowles was outstanding, so were each of the other 21 East Coast players who took the field against a side who, on paper, had the potential to over run the Eagles. There were no passengers as the Hills based side systematically destroyed the UNSW-Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs to win by 100 points. A reasonably close 1st quarter gave no indication of what was to follow. Leading goalkicker Gus Seebeck was being well held by Jon Bradfield and the Eagle spearhead was unable to put his stamp on the game. But then his fellow forwards took over.

In an amazing second quarter, 12 goals flowed from the boots of a super determined Eagles’ outfit. Ben Physick, released from his customary defensive role, was causing havoc for the Bulldog defenders, Ben Rogers was his usual elusive self and young Daniel Spiteri kicked the goal of the day with a rolling, end over end shot from deep in the pocket. Seebeck then topped it all off with a 70 metre goal after the siren.

Perhaps even more impressive than the 12-goal second quarter was the eight goal third quarter. To back up and do it again was not expected, but the players held other views. They wanted to put the game absolutely beyond reach with Bilkey, Pearson and cohorts leading the defensive charge. Vlatko, Skuse, Spiteri, Ryan and Johnston dominated the midfield and the Bulldogs had no answers.                 

In the last quarter the Bulldogs were able to reduce the deficit from 122 pts to 100 at the final siren. The victory allows the Eagles to remain on top of the ladder at the half way mark of the home and away season.              

Next Sunday June 21st, East Coast return to Bruce Purser Reserve for the traditional Back to Baulko clash with near neighbours, Pennant Hills. Always a crowd pleasing game, a very large attendance is expected to watch the Premier Division match under lights at 5.10pm. Lead up matches commence at 9.00am.

Results
UNSW-ES 2.2  4.5   6.6 12.7    (79)
East Coast 5.3 17.8 25.14 27.17 (179)

EAST COAST EAGLES
Goal Kickers: Gus Seebeck 4, Ben Physick 4, Ben Rogers 4, Mark Skuse 2, Jon Vlatko 2, Ryan Smyth 2, Daniel Spiteri 2, Shane Ryan 2, Adam Lovett, Trent Baker, Luke Stanford, Michael Johnston, Michael Sankey.
Best Players: Damien Bowles, Ben Physick, Jon Vlatko, Ben Rogers, Mark Skuse, Rowan Bilkey.

DIVISION 1

Jason Duss’ Reserve Grade team badly wanted this win to move up the ladder to third possie. But you wouldn’t have known it as their start was as lacklustre as we have seen this year. The Bulldogs kicked four unanswered goals in the opening 10 minutes and things looked grim. But typical of this very successful side they fought back to kick 12 goals to just four to take a 26-point victory at the final siren. Mark Mendola and Ryan Fitton, both returning from injury, were too good for the opposition.    

Results
UNSW-ES 4.1 5.2  6.5   8.6 (54)
East Coast 2.2 7.2 10.3 12.8 (80)

EAST COAST EAGLES
Goal Kickers: Matt Arbon 2, Andrew Polkinghorne 2, Tim Kear 2, Adam Floyd 2, Ash Moeller, Mark Mendola, Josh Shephard, Corey Durie.
Best Players: Mark Mendola, Ryan Fitton, Andrew Polkinghorne, Steve Merkel, Steve O’Connor, Matt Williams.

UNDER 18 Premier Cup

Coach Peter Steer took his boys to the Village Green 18 hours earlier than the rest of the Club when they met the Bulldogs on Friday night. They set the standard for the balance of the weekend running out easy winners by 34 points, with James Dwyer, Martin Karafilis and Tom Roberts catching the selectors’ eyes under less than substandard lighting.  

Results
UNSW-ES 2.1 3.1  6.2 10.3   (63)
East Coast 2.4 7.6 9.10 14.13 (97)

EAST COAST EAGLES
Goal Kickers: Nathan Campbell 3, Damon Steer 2, Dean Siljanoski 2, Tom McNamara 2, Josh Patira, James Randall, Martin Karafilis, Jake Pianta, Tate Dimech.
Best Players: James Dwyer, Martin Karafilis, Tom Roberts, Eugene Kruger, Nathan Campbell, Matthew Mack.

DIVISION 2

After victory over Camden back in Round 2, the Eagles ventured out to Harrington Park confident of their third win for the season. But alas that was not to be when Sean Streat’s lads, after being a point up at ¾ time after an excellent third term, fell away in the last quarter to lose by 10 points. “The first, second and last quarters cost us the game and you can’t win playing just one good session of footy,” lamented Streaty.      

Results
Camden 4.1 6.4  9.7 11.12 (78)
East Coast 3.1 4.2 10.2 11.2   (68)

EAST COAST EAGLES
Goal Kickers: Jared Patira 3, Chris Moore 2, Sam Brotherston, Chris Wynne, Blake Jones, Ben Hynes, Lewis Whales, Brogan Archer-Ede.
Best Players: Ross Donaldson, Julian Kasby, Anthony Ellison, Chris Moore, Bradley Hoy, Gerard Delaney.