Tribute to a mate
Steph Konatar
AFTER the tragic loss of their team-mate, Corey Siemer, Westies played an excellent game to defeat the Eagles 13.11 (89) to 7.7 (49) at City Mazda Stadium on Saturday, a bittersweet result for both teams.
Undoubtedly the loss was disappointing for the Eagles, but the fact that it was played in honour of a fellow aspiring AFL footballer made it easier to swallow, according to Eagles' coach Terry Hutton.
“I hate losing, but in the human spirit of the game it’s a just result,” he said.
The Eagles started without big man Tom Daly, who pulled out of the match before the warm-up through illness.
It meant the Eagles were already starting a man down and would have had to produce an impressive performance to defeat an emotion-fuelled West.
The Eagles’ first half looked promising, their accuracy and pressure on West produced a 16-point halftime lead.
“(During) the first half we were good all over; we defended really well and took our advantages up forward and made the most of our opportunities,” Hutton said.
The loss of star midfield Jake Fairclough to a groin injury in the second made for a sloppy and undermanned third quarter for the Eagles.
The Eagles defence worked tirelessly, without the support of the midfield; their forwards were playing from behind and Westies rebound footy was superb, it was a game plan set for disaster.
A determined West was a different team after the major break, everything Eagles failed to achieve, Westies completed with ease and proficiency.
West’s five goals to an Eagles two-point third quarter saw West lead by 16 at the start of the final term; West were playing to honour their team-mate and they weren’t going home without a win.
West’s tremendous effort and pressure of the third quarter was just as strong in the forth, running out eventual winners by 40 points.
A key player for the Eagles was star forward Jarrod Harding, who, despite immense pressure from quite often two or three West defenders, still managed to bag three goals.
Harding performance would not have been as good as it was if it wasn’t for the efforts of the play making big-man, Tom Huppatz and the run and carry, and penetrating kick of Josh Growden.
Under the circumstances of the game it is appropriate to mention the importance of safe driving; when driving to training or a game, please drive safe.
The Eagles play North next Saturday.
THE SCORE
Eagles – 7.7 (49)
West – 13.11 (89)
Eagles
Goals: J. Harding 3, J. Von Bertouch 2, S. Flanegan, L. Dunstan
Best: T. Huppatz, J. Growden, A. Poole, B. Cunningham, D. Mansell, C. Sutcliffe