The wet weather has forced changes to venues around Sydney, and the Eagles are not immune to the councils' whims.

Division Three has been moved from Trumper Park to Mona Park in Auburn. The match will still be played at 10.30 on Saturday as scheduled.

Premier Cup Under 18 are currently scheduled to play at Riverview at 10am on Saturday. A decision on the condition of that ground will be made at 4pm this afternoon. If it is found to be unfit for play, that match will be moved to Benson's Lane.

Keep an eye on this website and your email for further updates.

East Coast lost top position on the AFL Sydney ladder when they were defeated by Sydney Uni on Saturday in Round 12. Confronted by perhaps the smallest oval in the competition, the Eagles were caught off guard many times by the tactics employed by the home side, well used to playing within the confines of such a ground. It was the third loss for East Coast and the second defeat by Sydney Uni for the season. Should these two sides meet in the finals, the Students will hold the mental advantage.
 

Once again without key forward Jamie Vlatko, the Eagles looked for Peter Dugmore to carry the day at full forward and he didn’t let anyone down in a tight first quarter. Three early goals prompted a personal shut down by the Uni defence and Dugmore found himself surrounded by several opponents each time he competed for the ball. To finish with five for the day was a good effort.

The Eagles led by three points at ¼ time and were behind by four points at ½ time, such was the evenness of the game up to that point. Rowan Bilkey (pictured), having a stellar season so far at half back, led the East Coast backline in its endeavours to repel the Uni attacking thrusts that, given the switching nature of their game plan, came in from many and varied directions. Bilkey took out his fourth Players Player vote for the season and his second Best on Ground award.          

In the third and last quarters, Sydney Uni went further ahead and if it wasn’t for poor kicking for goal, probably deserved to win by even more than the 38 point final margin.   

Sydney Uni                3.4     7.5     11.11  16.19 (115)   

East Coast               4.1     7.1     10.2   12.5 (77)


Goalkickers:  Peter Dugmore 5, Ryan Silvester 3, Daniel Spiteri, Ryan Fitton, Trent Baker, Dominic Killworth

Best:   Rowan Bilkey, Peter Dugmore, Steve Merkel, Ryan Silvester, Jon Vlatko, Damien Bowles

Click here for the Premier Division ladder

While one can say “it is still mathematically possible” for the Ressies to make the Division One finals, it is becoming increasingly likely that the wonderful run this team has had for the last seven years may have come to an end. Sydney Uni were too good on Saturday, winning by 57 points. A looming milestone to watch for on August 14th in the Round 17 match against Wollongong will be Jason Duss’ 400th Club game. Keep an eye on the website for more information on this wonderful achievement. 

Sydney Uni    11.10 (76)      

East Coast       2.7 (19)


Goalkickers:  Darren Chapman, Sean Albert

Best:   Luke McLeod, Darren Chapman, James Dwyer, David Clinch, Josh Shephard, Matthew Scholz

Click here for the Division One ladder

The only game at Bruce Purser was the Division Three clash between East Coast and Moorebank Sports. Before this game, the Magpies sat comfortably on top of the ladder, with their only defeat coming from the hands of the Eagles back in Round 5.  On their home turf, Sean Streat’s lads must have fancied their chances to do it again and their start was outstanding as they ran roughshod over Moorebank causing the goal umpire to mark his card five times in 10 minutes in the first quarter.  

The Magpies recovered somewhat in the second and at halftime must have thought they would go on from there. But big Phil Ragno put some early nails in the coffin with successive goals after two strong marks. Ash Moeller was a creative loose man in defence in the last quarter and although the Eagles were scoreless in the last, they had done enough to be 18 points in front at the final siren. The two James’, Collis & Ford were outstanding on the day.     

Moorebank still remain on top of the table, but now with two losses – both to the Eagles who remain strongly in the hunt for that 5th spot come finals’ time.  

East Coast     5.5     6.6     10.6    10.6 (66)
Moorebank    0.2     4.5       4.9     6.12 (48)

Goalkickers:  Adam Tovell 2, Brendan Doyle 2, Phil Ragno 2, Damian Gatte, Chad Herbert, Ash Moeller, James Ford

Best:   James Ford, Ash Moeller, James Collis, Chad Herbert, Steven Marks, Liam Madden

Click here for the Division Three ladder

At U/18 Premier Cup level, the Eagles went into the Sydney Uni game knowing that which ever side took the honours would put them on top of the table. Earlier in the afternoon ladder leaders North Shore had gone down to St George, which in turn opened up the possibility of a major reorganisation at the top. Aware of that, the East Coast Colts had four goals on the board inside 15 minutes, but a lapse in concentration allowed Sydney Uni back into the game and the home side took a one point lead into the short break.

The second quarter was a real arm wrestle and at half time it was the Eagles who took the one point lead into the rooms. This game had been scheduled at 7.00pm, hence many supporters from both clubs remained to watch the game from the warmth and comfort of the Uni Grandstand bar. They were about to see one of the best quarters of U/18 footy you could hope to experience.

Sydney Uni were held scoreless for 20 minutes while the Eagles clinically went about their business to boot 5.4 and essentially put the game beyond the reach of the Students. The skills from both sides were outstanding and a scoreless quarter was not a true reflection of the Sydney Uni effort. They were however smothered by the talent and team work from the Eagles.

Not to be denied, Uni fought back in the last but their four excellent goals were matched by another three from East Coast who then cruised home to a highly entertaining 29 point win. Big Alex Foxall was exceptional in the ruck and around the ground. He most certainly is one to be savoured as a future Eagles’ Premier League ruckman.

Although East Coast lost their top position in the main game with their loss to Sydney Uni, Peter Steer’s lads reversed the tables in their match and now hold top spot in the U/18 Premier Cup competition.                 

Sydney Uni    4.2      6.4      6.4     10.6 (66)

East Coast     4.1       6.5       11.9     14.11 (95)


Goalkickers:  Michael Nance 2, Ethan Barclay 2, Matthew Newson 2, Nathan Campbell 2, Alex Foxall, Tate Dimech, Corey Dimech, Michael Karafilis, Dean Costello, Jackson Pecqueux

Best:   Alex Foxall, Michael Nance, Dean Costello, Trent Monaghan, Daniel Lim, Jonathon Spencer

Click here for the U/18 Premier Cup ladder

The U/18 Challenge Cup boys had the weekend off with a bye.

Click here for the U/18 Challenge Cup ladder

EXTRAVAGANZA

Premier Division

Best:               Rowan Bilkey owned by Maree Gawley                 $210.00

First free:     Ryan Fitton owned by Hangan/Ure synd.              $45.00

Division One

Best:            Darren Chapman owned by Laima Physick          $105.00

First free:      David Clinch owned by Gawley/Physick synd.         $45.00

Division Three

Best:               James Collis owned by Greg Bell                          $45.00

NEXT WEEK’S MATCHES

Round 13 sees a first for the East Coast Eagles club when it plays five different teams across the various grades. All on next Saturday July 10th.  At Premier Division level, the second Eastern Derby for 2010 will be contested when Balmain come to visit, no doubt determined to diminish the earlier Round 4 result when the East Coast demolished the Dockers by 225 points.  

Saturday July 10th

Bruce Purser Reserve

10.00am        U/18 Challenge Cup v Holroyd-Parramatta

Midday          Division One v Manly-Warringah

2.10pm          Premier Division v Balmain

Trumper Park

10.30am        Division Three v UTS

Riverview First Field

10.00am        U/18 Premier Cup v Riverview  

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If you hold this ticket, please see Trevor Hangan at training to arrange your “pick for the Joker”.

The threatened rain did not arrive at Rouse Hill on Saturday, but a switched on East Coast Eagles team certainly did. Given a great lead in by the U/18’s who had run rampant over St George, the senior side continued in the same vein winning by 90 points. Star forward Jamie Vlatko who has been in sensational form, dropped out of the selected side after straining a hamstring during the week. However his absence opened the way for Peter Dugmore to take up the running against his former team mates and he responded well with four goals under severe pressure. Scott Pierce was also brought into the side to make his First Grade debut.

The first quarter was a tough uncompromising 30 minutes with the Dragons throwing everything at the Eagles in a fast and highly skilful display under lights at Bruce Purser Reserve. Although East Coast went further ahead in the second quarter, the scoreboard didn’t represent their superiority around the ground. St George kept hanging in there and the home side couldn’t break clear, but it did look like it would only be a matter of time.

The star of the night in the first half was 18 year old Daniel Spiteri. “Boonie” was in scintillating form as he patrolled all over the ground, gaining possessions at will. His ball handling belied his age and he went into the rooms at halftime to ponder just how he could do better in the second half. And of course he did, showing enormous courage as he fought tooth and nail against bigger and older opponents. His performance won him the accolades of coaches and players to win everything by way of individual awards in the match.                

Led by Spiteri, East Coast blitzed the Dragons in the second half as they clinically and systematically destroyed a gallant St George. Rookie Michael Clinch enjoyed his best senior game, while former Subiaco star Ryan Silvester was all class in the midfield. Steve O’Connor warmed the hands and hearts of supporters with the mark of the year at full forward as he climbed high above his opponent to take a spectacular grab and then kick truly straight over the goal umpire’s hat.

The six goals to the Eagles in each of the third and fourth quarters underlined the difference between the two sides. Although the cold night air brought the dew to the grass, the Eagles were unperturbed with their skill level and ball handling actually improving as the game wore on.  At the final siren, like the moon high in the eastern sky, St George had been well and truly eclipsed.     

Next Saturday July 3rd, sees the Eagles at Sydney Uni for vital top of the table clashes in both Premier Division and U/18’s.   

East Coast Eagles   2.4     6.9     12.11  18.14 (122)
St George                  1.3     2.3       4.4     4.8 (32)

Goalkickers:  Peter Dugmore 4, Damien Bowles 3, Steve O’Connor 3, Dominic Killworth 2, Ryan Silvester, Trent Baker, Dean Costello, Daniel Spiteri, Ben Rogers, Michael Clinch

Best:   Daniel Spiteri, Michael Clinch, Ryan Silvester, Damien Bowles, Peter Dugmore, Steve O’Connor

Click here for the Premier Division ladder

The Division One lads struggled against a stronger Macquarie Uni combination, going down by 75 points. James Mann took the honours as best player and Players’ Player and it was great to see that he donated both awards to the Cancer Council’s “Call to Arms” appeal which the East Coast Eagles were supporting in Round 11.  

East Coast Eagles   2.0       4.1     4.2      5.2 (32)
Macquarie Uni           5.3     10.6    12.14  15.17 (107)

Goalkickers:  Hayden Benger, Jason Duss, David Clinch, Jared Patira, Ash Moeller

Best:   James Mann, James Dwyer, Matt Power, Josh Shephard, Ash Moeller, Martin Karafilis.

Click here for the Division One ladder

Sean Streat’s Division Three side faced a key match up against Macquarie Uni who were neck and neck with the Eagles in the contest to assume 5th position. A great first and last quarter were not enough however to overcome the poor middle quarters when the Warriors ran away with the game. Sam Brotherston put in his best showing for the season, while James Ford was strong in the centre.  

East Coast Eagles   3.2     3.3      4.8      8.9 (57)
Macquarie Uni           1.6     7.7     11.8    13.11 (89)

Goalkickers:  Brendan Doyle 2, Phil Ragno 2, Tim Coakley, Alex Wynne, Sam Brotherston, James Ford

Best:   Sam Brotherston, Liam Madden, Chris Wynne, James Ford, Damian Gatte, Josh Lawrence

Click here for the Division Three ladder

Taking the prime spot of curtain raiser to the main game, the Under 18 Premier Colts were magnificent with a 58 point victory over a confident St George, thus reversing the result of the earlier R2 match. The boys led all game, going further ahead each quarter as Campbell Ford and Daniel Lim gave their forward line an arm chair ride. Ethan Barclay made the most of the opportunities with five goals.     

East Coast Eagles   5.3     9.4     14.8    18.9 (117)
St George                  2.1     2.3       5.5     9.5 (59)

Goalkickers:   Ethan Barclay 5, Jackson Le Pecqueux 3, Jake Pianta 3, Daniel Lim 2, Campbell Ford 2, Chris Polkinghorne, Matt Lyons, Nathan Campbell

Best:   Campbell Ford, Daniel Lim, Trent Monaghan, Ethan Barclay, Jesse Clark

Click here for the U/18 Premier Cup ladder

In an entertaining U/18 Challenge Cup game, the Eagles were not quite good enough to stay with Macquarie Uni, eventually taking a loss by 37 points. Blake Russell and Angus Baird were amongst the best for East Coast.

East Coast Eagles   1.1     2.4     3.5      5.8 (38)
Macquarie Uni           2.4     6.4     9.6     11.9 (75)

Goalkickers:  Steve Acland, Kieran Lyons, Jye Hines, Corey Dimech, Matthew Robinson

Best:   Blake Russell, Angus Baird, Allan Leabeater, Kieran Lyons, Adam Hutt, Jye Hines

Click here for the U/18 Challenge Cup ladder

EXTRAVAGANZA

Premier Division
Best:               Daniel Spiteri owned by Peter Physick                 $210.00

First free:     Shane Ryan owned by Greg Bell                          $45.00

Division One
Best:            James Mann owned by Maree Gawley                  $105.00

First free:      Nathan Peters owned by Maree Gawley                $45.00

Division Three

Best:               James Ford owned by Hangan / Ure syndicate      $45.00

NEXT WEEK’S MATCHES

The Eagles meet Sydney Uni in crucial top of the table clashes at both Premier Division and U/18 level on Saturday July 3rd at Sydney Uni’s #1 oval.  

Saturday July 3rd …

Bruce Purser Reserve

10.00am        Division Three v Moorebank Sports

Sydney Uni #1

2.00pm        Division One v Sydney Uni

4.10pm        Premier Division v Sydney Uni

7.00pm          U/18 Premier Cup v Sydney Uni     

Under 18 Challenge Cup have the bye.