Straight From The Sauce – Round 13 League & Reserves

A frustrating result on the back of 2 poor 15-minute periods to start the first and second quarters. We were able to work our way back into the first quarter and it was great to Jevan Phillipou on debut kick his first league goal. With most stats breaking even in the first, after the slow start we didn’t make use of the 1-2 goal breeze that we started with. The first 20 minutes of the second wasn’t acceptable from the standards we have previously set, the challenge with young players coming into the team, we don’t have the communication and belief to stop momentum like West had and it proved hard to chase back down across the game.

To the boys credit, in the last 6-8 minutes before half time we wrestled back some control on the game, and we carried it into the third quarter. We began to move the ball better and off the back of some good forward pressure we were able to win the quarter by 19 points and put us within striking distance going into the last.

We again dominated the play in the last quarter, but we just couldn’t finish off our work, missing gettable shots which would have put more pressure on West and given us a lift. To West credit, as the quarter went on they began to win important contests which stemmed our attempts to win the game. We came up short by 13 points.

James Rowe played really well with 30 possession and a goal, Cam Fleeton again carried on his recent form with 15 touches, 6 spoils and 4 intercept marks, Lukas Cooke with a career high 29 possessions, with a bigger role he has thrived in the move back to defence and is going to be a great player for us going forward, Joe Sinor and Kobe Mutch again contributed strongly to our day and showed great leadership to get us back into the game.

We look forward to going to Norwood this week and leaving it all over there before a bye the week after. It’s a big game for the context of our season!

Appreciate all the support over the weekend as we put in work to get back on the winners list.

Sauce

Sam Jacobs – Eagles Senior Coach

There was 2 ways I believe you can look at the weekendsgame. 1 – another loss in the L column and Injuries are really high, or 2- we had the opportunity to have a look at quite a few U18’s who will be potentially coming into the senior program.

It was really positive to see the way these U18’s have come in and play with confidence, having the ability to take the game on with no fear and show that they are ready to take the next step in their development.

Defense and Fundamentals will be on the top of the list this week, giving up 7.12 from turnover is never going to hold you in good stead to win the game. It was really good to see Isaac Niemann come back into the side and continue his form from Henley. Jack Slattery kicked 3 goals in his first Dev Game which was extremely impressive.

Heading back to the Parade this week, we are well aware of what it is going to take and with a good week on the track I have confidence in this group we will be up for the fight from the start.

Go Eagles!!!

Shane Hancock – Eagles Development Coach