Welcome to the Official Home of the East Coast Eagles

Monday, 29 June 2009 10:23

Universities are institutions of learning and on Sunday at Sydney Uni, East Coast discovered a lot more about themselves as they continue their quest for success in 2009. Although undefeated, the Eagles have significant development left in them, with senior coach Glenn Garner expressing the view that there is still a 30% improvement left in their overall game plan.

“I was disappointed in their individual accountability at times throughout the match, but I was very happy with the outstanding third quarter” said Garner post match. It was this quarter which saw his side cement the game in their favour. Often called “The Premiership quarter”, it is vital that a team performs after the long break and so far this year that has been the case for the Eagles.

Still missing key ruckman Ed Wilson and the late withdrawal on the morning of the match of Anthony Stubbs, meant that part time ruckman Matthew Williams was asked to carry the load for the side. And he grabbed the responsibility with both hands, earning the spontaneous admiration of his team mates when they unanimously voted him their Players’ Player for the match.

When Williams brought the ball to ground, midfielders such as Jon Vlatko, Shane Ryan, Brad Ure and Luke Stanford were tough to beat one on one, as each battled to get the ball down to Gus Seebeck. Gus kicked another bag of seven to take his tally to 63 and remains on target for the magic 100 goals in a minor round season.

In the back lines Mark Skuse (pictured) and Ben Bourke were as stingy as ever whilst maintaining the impeccable defensive record of this side. As good as Seebeck and co are in kicking goals, it is the entire backline which often carries the day for this side. “They were instrumental today in keeping us in the game” said Garner as he spoke glowingly of his defensive six.

The last quarter saw some sloppy kicking for goal from the Hills based side which meant that a larger than 41 point victory was out of reach. Whilst it was a solid day’s work from the ladder leaders, there is still much to be learnt from spending a few hours at the Uni.               

Next Saturday July 4^th sees the Eagles back at Bruce Purser Reserve when they take on the vastly improved Campbelltown at 3.30pm.  In the last clash between these two sides, East Coast won by 133 points however the Blues will be very mindful of that result as they seek to improve upon that performance.     

SCORES

Sydney Uni               3.3     5.5     8.8     11.10  (76)

East Coast               5.3     9.5     14.9    17.15 (117)

EAST COAST EAGLES

Goal Kickers: Gus Seebeck 7, Luke Stanford 2,   Aaron Byerlee 2, Ben Bourke 2, Ben Physick, Mark Maher, Ben Rogers, Kristian Pearson
Best Players: Jon Vlatko, Mark Skuse, Gus Seebeck, Ben Bourke, Shane Ryan, Luke Stanford.

DIVISION 1

Sydney Uni are yet to beat the Eagles in this grade of football, but right from the get go on Sunday it sure looked like they were about to break their duck when they jumped the visiting side with fast, free flowing football. The match had all the hall marks of Premier Division football and East Coast were simply unable to stem the flow of ball from the Students. No one forward could stand up with any confidence to give the midfield a reliable track through to goal and losing key forward Adam Floyd to a hamstring strain didn’t help the cause. 

However in an inspiring second half performance the Eagles had their usual “never say die” race face on which has taken them to the last three consecutive Premierships. They hounded and they pounded the home side until eventually Sydney Uni capitulated, like many have done before them over the years.

Josh Shephard continued his wonderful mid season form to be awarded best player honours by the selectors and his fellow team mates.      

SCORES

Sydney Uni              3.0     7.2     8.5     8.6   (54)

East Coast               2.3     4.5     6.10    8.13 (61)

EAST COAST EAGLES

Goal Kickers: Tim Kear, Adam Floyd, Cory Durie, Jared Patira, Jason Duss, Ash Moeller, Tim Coakley, Matt Arbon
Best Players: Josh Shephard, Cory Durie, James Mann, Ash Moeller, Matt Arbon, Martin Karafilis

UNDER 18 PREMIER CUP

An upset was on the cards at ½ time when 9^th placed Riverview led the Eagles by seven points. Peter Steer responded by making several key positional changes to ensure his side was competitive in the second half. Tom McNamara led the way with four goals, along with best on ground honours, while Matty Mack was always there in a strong supporting role.

The Eagles ran away with it in the second half with 21 scoring shots to just three, to end up with an impressive 56 point victory.       

SCORES

Riverview                2.1     5.4       5.4      7.5   (47)

East Coast Eagles     4.2     4.3     11.7    15.13 (103)

EAST COAST EAGLES

Goal Kickers: Tom McNamara 4, Nathan Campbell 4, Tate Dimech 3, Josh Patira 3, Trent Monaghan

Best Players: Tom McNamara, Matthew Mack, Ben Carey, Dean Costello, Josh Patira, Trent Monaghan

DIVISION 2

Although the game had been moved at the last minute to Bruce Purser Reserve, it was always going to be a difficult task for the Eagles as the Goannas “dug in” right from the first bounce.  East Coast were no match for Holroyd-Parramatta’s senior side and once again they found it difficult to compete at this higher level of football.

Chris Moore, last year’s Clubman of the Year, was outstanding and led the way all day to take the best player honours.   

SCORES

Holroyd-Parramatta            7-2     15.4    21.8    26.11 (167)            

East Coast Eagles               0.0     1.1     1.1      1.1    (7)

EAST COAST EAGLES

Goal Kickers: Ben Allan
Best Players: Chris Moore, Liam Patira, James Collis, Rod Frost, Carl Doering, Lewis Whales

UNDER 18 CHALLENGE CUP

It was a disappointment to find out at 8.30am that a forfeit was on the cards for the Challenge Cup lads. Coach Ryan Madden had been eying off this match as an opportunity to improve his side’s percentage with an expected strong victory.

Unfortunately it was not to be as the Goannas could only muster up eleven players, hence with a loan of four Eagles, a match of sorts eventually took place. East Coast won this by a margin which is not to be recorded, but it was very healthy indeed.

An official result (the average winning margin across all other games) saw the Eagles credited with a victory by 49 points.

Extravaganza results

Premier Division

Best:                      Jon Vlatko owned by Trevor Hangan synd.           $250.00

1^st free:                  Shane Ryan owned by Trevor Hangan synd.         $55.00

Players’ Player          Matthew Williams

Division 1

Best:                      Josh Shephard owned by Laima & Maree              $125.00

1^st free:                  Tim Kear owned by Laima & Tammy                     $55.00

Players’ Player          Josh Shephard

Division 2

Best:                      Chris Moore (TBC) owned by Black & Blue            $40.00

Joker draw

B131 - forget about the $9million draw this week, see Michael Sankey by the end of training on thursday to claim your chance at more than $1000

Saturday July 4^th 2009 - Next games

10.00am

U/18 Challenge Cup v Penrith at Greygums Oval.

Saturday July 4^th 2009 – All following matches at Bruce Purser Reserve

11.30am                 

Division 2 v Campbelltown

1.30pm

U/18 Premier Cup v Campbelltown

3.30pm       

Premier Division v Campbelltown

6.30pm

Division 1 v Manly Warringah