Straight From The Sauce – Round 9 League & Reserves

In wild conditions at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval on Saturday vs Central District we put together a really strong 4 quarter effort to walk away 38-point winners. The conditions proved challenging with ball movement, but these days test out your attitude and effort, and our boys were outstanding.

Right from the start of the day we were committed to the contest, in key stats we won the contested possession by +28 and we out-tackled them by +37, so we won the ball and then when we didn’t have it we got after them and put them under a lot of pressure. Considering the conditions I thought we were able to convert our shots on goal really well and we also were able to finish our work at important stages of the game.

Unfortunately, the game came with a few casualties. Riley Knight injured his hamstring, which looks to be a nasty one. We will get scans, but it appears he will miss a decent chunk of the back half of the season. Kade Herbert was cleared of any fractures when he got tipped on his neck in a tackle. The Club did an outstanding job of getting him straight in and making sure he was ok, and we will see how he is this week. Luke McKay broke his hand late in the 2^nd and was able to stay out there for the team to give us some rotations and compete where he could. We will get some more information but looking like he may miss a bit of time. Bailey Hann had a head clash mid-way through the last and while he presented well post-game, he will enter the concussion protocols with his health the priority.

We had a lot of strong contributors on the day and whilst I don’t want to single too many out, James Rowe was a clear best on, impacting the game in all areas. Max Litster, Cam Fleeton and the defenders were really hard to play against. Jordan Lukac, Connor Ballenden, Nick Hayes and Daniel Sladojevic controlled the air throughout the game and along with our forward line were efficient and dangerous through the day. Finally, our midfield controlled the game with their appetite for the contest. We have shown we can win in different ways this year which will hold us in good stead as we get through the season.

We have one more game vs Port Adelaide at Alberton before the Bye, which we always look forward to playing them!

See you all there.

Sauce

Sam Jacobs – Eagles Senior Coach

The old saying bad kicking is bad football could not be more true this week (felt like I said this last week). 1.11 at 3 quarter time tells quite the story as to what happened.

Credit to Centrals, they were able to make the most of their opportunities when in front of goal. Again we felt we had control of the game throughout, keeping the ball in our front half for the majority of it. We dominated all of the key stats which shows it is our game for the taking, we just need to take our opportunities in front of goal. It is a big focus for us and I do believe it is going to turn quickly.

Will Neumann really stood up throughout the game playing a big role in the midfield as did Blake Hansen coming back from the League. His effort and attitude all day was excellent and led from the front. Charlie Blair continues to impress on the wing and is going from strength to strength each week, which is fantastic.

We look forward to Central District again this week as we will be out to rectify what happened on the weekend. I have the upmost confidence in this young group of players and am sure we will be up for the challenge right from the word go.

Go Eagles!!!

Shane Hancock – Eagles Development Coach