East Coast were nowhere near the coordinated outfit they will need to be to progress all the way in September. Whilst they are already guaranteed a finals berth, a huge improvement is required if they want to make an impact like they did in 2009. In round 14 at Henson Park on Sunday, the Eagles came up against Western Suburbs, only to be soundly beaten by 44 points. It is highly possible that these two teams will meet again sometime in the finals, so one can only hope the lessons that were there to be learned have sunk in.

Although the first and last quarters were reasonably tight, the second and third were lamentable. The usually dominant midfield seemed flat and disorganised with the Magpies too quick for them, leaving the Eagles second to the ball on far too many occasions. Up forward, Jamie Vlatko and Peter Dugmore were well held and the usual avenues to goal had suddenly dried up. The all important pin point delivery of the football to a player further afield was missing, handballs were misdirected and accountability had gone out the window.

One who stood tall however was Damien Bowles (pictured) who, following a nasty cut to his chin, re emerged after half time bandaged up like an Egyptian mummy. It seemed to spur him on however as besides taking the selectors’ vote as best player, he took the mark of the day right in front of the grandstand.  Others to do well included Steve Merkel and Jack Dimery.

All clubs have a scheduled bye next week, with East Coast returning to action at Bruce Purser Reserve on Saturday July 31st when they meet North Shore at 2.10pm in yet another crucial game which will be critical in determining the make up of the final five.              

Western Suburbs     3.1     7.5     12.8    15.13 (103)   

East Coast Eagles   3.2     3.4      4.6      8.11 (59)


Goalkickers:  Jamie Vlatko 2, Damien Bowles 2, Ben Physick, Peter Dugmore, Trent Baker, Daniel Spiteri

Best:   Steve Merkel, Damien Bowles, Jack Dimery, Mike Beardsley, Eugene Kruger, Rowan Bilkey

Click here for the Premier Division ladder

An undermanned Div One side fought gallantly, but despite holding Wests to just one goal in the second half, paid the price for a poor first two quarters. Darren Chapman, for the second successive week took the honours as East Coast’s best player.


Western Suburbs     4.1       9.2       9.2       10.7 (67)

East Coast Eagles    1.2     2.4      3.4      4.7 (31)


Goalkickers:  Rodney Frost, Daniel O’Connor, Darren Chapman, Alex Foxall

Best:   Darren Chapman, Damian Gatte, Alex Foxall, Matt Power, David Clinch, Tate Dimech

Click here for the Division One ladder

The only game at Bruce Purser Reserve this weekend was in Third Division with the Cronulla based Southern Power arriving at the ground fully expecting a tough game. And they certainly got one. The Eagles took it right up to the second placed Power and but for a poor third quarter, may well have taken the honours. Brent Trewin and Ben Hynes were up there in the best.      

East Coast Eagles    3.2     5.4       6.5    11.10 (76)
Southern Power        3.1      6.6     11.11  12.11 (83)

Goalkickers:  James Ford 3, Ash Moeller 2, Jared Patira, Nathan Prain, Sam Brotherston, Tim Coakley, Michael White, Brent Trewin

Best:   Brent Trewin, Ben Hynes, Tim Coakley, Matt Bailey, Liam Madden, Jared Madden


Click here for the Division Three ladder

After a tight first half, the Premier Cup Colts drew away from a persistent Magpie outfit to eventually win by 54 points. Tasmanian recruit, Dominic Killworth demonstrated the benefit of a few First Grade games to show his best form of the season.


Western Suburbs     1.3      4.4      5.4       7.5 (47)

East Coast Eagles    3.2       4.6       8.11     15.11 (101)


Goalkickers:  Dominic Killworth 3, Jake Pianta 2, Jonathon Spencer 2, Ethan Barclay 2, Jackson Pecqueux, Campbell Ford, Matt Lyons, Tate Dimech, Nathan Campbell, Alex Foxall

Best:   Dominic Killworth, Dean Costello, Anthony Baddock, Martin Karafilis, Alex Foxall, Louis Butler

Click here for the U/18 Premier Cup ladder

The U/18 Challenge Cup boys ventured to Rosedale for a clash which would go a long way in determining finishing positions on the ladder for these two teams. The Eagles came away with an excellent 48 point win.  

Moorebank Sports               0.1     2.4     3.7       3.9 (27)

East Coast Eagles               5.2       8.6     8.9     10.15 (75)

Goalkickers:  Jesse Clark 3, Matthew Goldsworthy 2, Thomas Streat 2, Adam Hutt, Nathan Lee, Ciaran Fitzsimons

Best:   Nathan Lee, Matthew Goldsworthy, Joshua Bancroft, Jesse Clark, Ciaran Fitzsimons, David Berger

Click here for the U/18 Challenge Cup ladder 



EXTRAVAGANZA

Premier Division
Best:               Damien Bowles owned by Mick Bowles                 $210.00

First free:     Trent Baker owned by Maree Gawley                   $45.00

Division One
Best:            Darren Chapman owned by Laima Physick             $105.00

First free:       Damian Gatte owned by Michael Sankey               $45.00

Division Three

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

NEXT WEEK’S MATCHES

A general bye was originally scheduled into the fixture for all grades, however rain outs and the withdrawal of the Balmain U/18’s from Premier Cup have created two catch up games for the Eagles.  

Saturday July 24th

Bruce Purser Reserve

Midday          Division Three v Sydney Uni

Blacktown Olympic Park

5.00pm          Under 18 Premier Cup v Sydney Uni

JOKER POKER WINNING TICKET FOR THE WEEK

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Round 14 sees some intriguing matches for the East Coast Eagles:

Saturday July 17

10.30am - Challenge Cup v Moorebank Sports @ Rosedale Park (Please note the change of time for this match from 10am to 10.30am)

2pm Division 3 v Southern Power @ Bruce Purser Reserve

Sunday July 18

10am Premier Cup v Western Suburbs @ Henson Park

12pm Division 1 v Western Suburbs @ Henson Park

2.10pm Premier Division v Western Suburbs @ Henson Park

East Coast returned to the winning list on Saturday when it comfortably accounted for the Balmain Dockers at Bruce Purser Reserve. The selection of debutantes Damon Steer and Tate Dimech for their first Premier Division game, gave the Eagles a line up which included no less than eight players aged 19 or under. A testimony to the recruiting talents of U/18 coach Peter Steer.

The first quarter got underway amid bright sunshine and with Daniel Spiteri’s first two goals in as many minutes, it looked as though the scoreline would blow out to near the 225 point margin between the two sides in the first Eastern Derby in Round 4. However the Dockers just wouldn’t lie down. They kept on coming at the Eagles and by halftime, there was just 29 points the difference. Former Swans and Collingwood forward Nick Davis got away several times from Ben Physick who had held him well in the earlier match. Davis finished up with five for the day.

The Eagles’ second half left little to write home about as they shuffled the ball around in a somewhat directionless method. Although the Dockers were held to just one goal in the last two quarters East Coast could easily have created a huge gap between the two sides, but failed to ram home the advantage. One who did however was 18 year old Spiteri, (pictured) who for the second home game in a row, took every award on offer. His four goals capped off a superb performance in the midfield.

Steve O’Connor was strong in the ruck and down forward with three goals when resting.  Special mentions to Damon Steer who led and marked strongly to kick his two goals, while Tate Dimech was terrific in the back pocket.  

The Eagles still share second position on the ladder with Western Suburbs, but that will be sorted out next Sunday at Henson Park when the Eagles and the Magpies meet in the match of the round at 2.10pm.        

East Coast     4.3     10.7    13.12  17.19 (121) 

Balmain          1.1       6.2      7.2    7.2 (44)


Goalkickers:  Daniel Spiteri 4, Steve O’Connor 3, Damon Steer 2, Damien Bowles 2, Peter Dugmore 2, Peter Vlatko 2, Jon Vlatko, Ben Rogers

Best:   Daniel Spiteri, Steve O’Connor, Damien Bowles, Jon Vlatko, Mike Beardsley, Ryan Silvester

Click here for the Premier Division ladder

In a fiery game, East Coast lost their way in the last quarter after being well in contention at ¾ time.  Best for the Eagles was the coach himself, Jason Duss who led the way magnificently on and off the field.     

East Coast Eagles    4.2       6.3       7.3        8.3 (51)                    

Manly Warringah      3.4     6.6     10.9    15.12 (102)


Goalkickers:  Sean Albert 2, Hayden Benger, Nathan Prain, Jason Duss, Daniel O’Connor, Josh Shephard, James Dwyer

Best:   Jason Duss, Luke McLeod, Josh Shephard, Damian Gatte, Jacob Craig, James Mann

Click here for the Division One ladder

It was a hard day at the office over at Trumper Park for the Division Three lads.


UTS                  6.5     12.11  19.14  21.17 (143)

East Coast     1.0       2.0    2.0      3.2 (20)

Goalkickers:  Tim Coakley, Phil Ragno, Stu McKinley

Best:   Liam Madden, Carl Doering, Chris Wynne, Josh Lawrence, Alex Wynne

Click here for the Division Three ladder

A comprehensive victory to the Under 18 Premier Cup colts sees them remain at the top of the ladder and considerably improve their percentage. Daniel Lim kicked five goals in a best on ground performance.

Riverview       0.1      1.3     1.3      1.3 (9)

East Coast     4.2     12.4     19.6    23.10 (148)


Goalkickers:  Daniel Lim 5, Matthew Newson 3, Ethan Barclay 3, Jackson Pecqueux 3, Chris Polkinghorne 3, Josh Patira 2, Nathan Campbell 2, Alex Foxall, Dean Costello

Best:   Daniel Lim, Dean Costello, Jackson Pecqueux, Trent Monaghan, Chris Polkinghorne, Nathan Campbell 



Click here for the U/18 Premier Cup ladder

            
Despite the loss Ryan Madden was more than happy with the second half performance of his Challenge Cup team. They fought back well from a poor start, with Josh Bancroft and Jye Hines leading the way.

East Coast Eagles                0.1     3.3     5.4      7.8 (50)

Holroyd-Parramatta           4.6     7.7     11.7    12.9 (81)

Goalkickers:  Matthew Goldsworthy 3, Allan Leabeater, Blake Russell, Jye Hines, Thomas Streat

Best:  Joshua Bancroft, Jye Hines, Adam Hutt, Thomas Streat, Matthew Goldsworthy, Paul Mildwater 

Click here for the U/18 Challenge Cup ladder

EXTRAVAGANZA

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

First free:     Steve O’Connor owned by Greg Bell                    $45.00

Division One
Best:            Jason Duss owned by Steve Gawley                   $105.00

First free:      Luke McLeod owned by Steve Gawley                  $45.00

Division Three

Best:               Liam Madden owned by Greg Bell                        $45.00

NEXT WEEK’S MATCHES

Round 14 has three Eagles’ teams at Henson Park for the clashes with Western Suburbs on Sunday July 18th whilst Saturday sees Challenge Cup at Rosedale and Division Three at Bruce Purser.   

Saturday July 17th

Rosedale Park
10.00am        U/18 Challenge Cup v Moorebank Sports 

Bruce Purser Reserve

2.00pm          Division Three v Southern Power

Sunday July 18th

Henson Park

10.00am        U/18 Premier Cup v Western Suburbs

Midday          Division One v Western Suburbs

2.10pm          Premier Division v Western Suburbs

JOKER POKER WINNING TICKET FOR THE WEEK

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If you hold this ticket, please see Trevor Hangan at training to arrange your “pick for the Joker.” The pool is currently at $400.