Straight From The Sauce – Round 4 League & Reserves

What a great win!!

Outside of the players executing on the day, thanks to everyone who came out to support. It really does go a long way to the result and the atmosphere we created was first class and the boys feed of that support.

Coming up against a Crows team with 18 AFL listed and 2 Development players with AFL experience, we were excited and looking forward to the challenge after some good but patchy form in recent weeks. We knew nothing more than a four-quarter performance would be enough and to the boys credit I think the performance was setup by the way we trained during the week.

The win was built on the back of pressure and team defence, looking at the stats it’s probably not the ideal way we want to play but I think aside from the belief that we are building, the way we can adapt our game is becoming equally as important. We came at the Crows right from the start and we were able to continue that on for the entirety of the game to walk away 21-point winners.

Better performing players on the day were Jack Hayes, who had his best game for us since returning and contributed stat wise in all areas, Sam Rowland on the wing played his role very well and numerous times laid big tackles and went back with the flight, Kobe Mutch continues to shine after returning by performing strongly again. Our senior players Joe Sinor, Zane Williams James Rowe and Riley Knight continued to do what we become to expect, but we also don’t take it for granted. Up and comers Max Beattie, Lukas Cooke, Jett Hasting, Jordan Lukac and Kade Herbert were strong contributors again on the day and without going through every player, they all had moments within the game that contributed.

In a quick turnaround we have Port Adelaide at home in the North-Western/Port Road Battle on Saturday. We look forward to some great support in another important game for us.

Let’s keep building.

Sauce

Sam Jacobs – Eagles Senior Coach

Coming off another good win against West, we had the privilege of playing on ANZAC Day against Central Districts at X Convenience Oval. This group of young men were full of confidence and it showed again from the start.

Before the game we wanted to start fast and defend with purpose and that is exactly how it went. From there we felt we controlled the game for about 90% of the time. For about 20 minutes of the third quarter it was a real scrap but again to our credit the guys were able to get it back on our terms and get a couple of late goals to end the quarter. Being down to 2 on the bench in the last quarter was a good test for this young group as to how we would run the game out, but everyone stood up and controlled the final quarter which was great to see.

Zac Buck performed extremely well and led from the front throughout the daya s did Jordan Tillbrook down back. It was extremely hard to single out best players which as a coach is a great problem to have knowing that you have a whole group willing to play their role to get success.

Going into Round 5 being 4-0 is a really good feeling and the confidence is ever growing with this young group of men.Another tough challenge awaits this week on Friday night at Maughan Thiem KIA Oval 7pm as we take on Norwood.    

Go Eagles!!!

Shane Hancock – Eagles Development Coach