Jamie Vlatko kicks 9.0 as Eagles retain top spot

The East Coast Eagles arrived at the Village Green within the Uni of NSW complex on Saturday, most wary of last year’s Grand Final opponents. Although 2010 wasn’t looking good for the Bulldogs, any side playing at their own home ground can’t be underestimated. Injuries had again struck hard at the Hills based Eagles, however they did welcome back skipper Jon Vlatko following his recovery from a hamstring strain.

And although Jon made a great return, it was his brother Jamie who stole the limelight with a devastating performance kicking nine goals without a miss. Vlatko was dominant in the first quarter, kicking four in a 10 minute purple patch and it took former Swans star Troy Luff to be moved onto him in an attempt to stem the flow.

The 37 point margin at ¼ time conjured up memories of last year’s rout at the same ground when the Eagles won by 100 points, but it was not to be. The Bulldogs scratched their way back into the game in the second quarter to kick seven goals with the breeze whilst the Eagles kept them honest with just three.

After halftime, with the wind at their backs, East Coast supporters expected something similar to the first quarter but the Dogs played a brilliant tactical game to totally restrict any attacking moves the Eagles attempted. At ¾ time the home side had put themselves in a terrific position to go on and take a well earned victory.

But spectators underestimated the Eagles’ determination which, along with a surprising drop in the breeze, allowed East Coast to totally dominate the last quarter.  Glenn Garner made some key positional changes which clicked, Mark Goodey kicked the first goal inside 20 seconds, Vlatko kicked his ninth and suddenly it was all over. East Coast had run away with a win that was expected, but was hard fought across the day.   

UNSW–ES               0.4     7.6       8.8      9.8 (62)

East Coast Eagles   6.5     9.7     11.10  17.15 (117)   

Goalkickers:  Jamie Vlatko 9, Peter Dugmore 3, Mark Goodey 2, Steve O’Connor, Ben Physick, Ryan Silvester.

Best:   Jamie Vlatko, Jon Vlatko, Ryan Silvester, Eugene Kruger, Kristian Pearson, Mark Goodey.

Click here for the Premier Division ladder

At Division One level, the Eagles returned to the wining list in a thriller at the Village Green. Scott Pierce and James Mann were amongst the best.

UNSW–ES               1.1     3.3     6.5     8.6 (54)

East Coast Eagles   2.2     6.3     8.3     9.6 (60)

Goalkickers:  Josh Shephard 2, James Mann, Blake Jones, Jason Duss, Sean Albert, Josh Patira, James Dwyer, Jared Patira.

Best:   Scott Pierce, Matty Power, James Mann, Jason Duss, Luke McLeod, Josh Patira

Click here for the Division One ladder

U/18 Premier Cup welcomed back their coach Peter Steer from the USA with an emphatic 55 point victory over the Bulldogs which kick-started the day of three consecutive losses for the home side.

UNSW – ES             1.3     3.4     4.7    5.10 (40)

East Coast Eagles   5.3     8.6     12.8    14.11 (95)

Goalkickers:  Ethan Barclay 4, Jonathon Spencer 3, Ciaran Fitzsimons, Tate Dimech, Aaron Savage, Michael Nance, Matt Lyons, Nathan Campbell, Alex Foxall.

Best:   Dean Costello, Louis Butler, Ethan Barclay, Michael Nance, Aaron Savage, Jack Hemmings.

Click here for the U/18 Premier Cup ladder

Over at Bruce Purser Reserve, Sean Streat’s Division Three side came up against Penrith’s First Grade outfit, but went down by 43 points. Ash Moeller and James Ford were both amongst the goals and the best players.

East Coast Eagles   2.1     3.3     4.3     5.4 (34)

Penrith                       4.0     7.3       9.6     12.7 (77)      

Goalkickers:  Ash Moeller 2, James Ford 2, Nathan Peters

Best:   Ash Moeller, James Ford, Steven Marks, Hayden Benger, Liam Patira, Tim Coakley

Click here for the Division Three ladder

In the early game at BPR, Ryan Madden’s Challenge Cup started strongly to hold the lead at ½ time, but faded in the second half to be over run by a stronger Magpie outfit.  Blake Russell kicked two and was named best in the beaten side.

East Coast Eagles   2.0     6.0     7.2     9.2 (56)

Southern Power       3.5     3.9     9.11    12.20 (92)

Goalkickers:  Blake Russell 2, Matthew Goldsworthy 2, Jackson Pecqueux 2, Jack Nugent, Adam Hutt, Stephen Tumminello.

Best:   Blake Russell, Allan Leabeater, Matthew Goldsworthy, Adam Hutt, Paul Mildwater, Stephen Tumminello.

Click here for the U/18 Challenge Cup ladder

EXTRAVAGANZA

Premier Division

Best:                      Jamie Vlatko owned by the BGP synd.                 $210.00

First Free kick:         Ryan Silvester owned by the Hangan & Ure synd.  $45.00

Division One

Best:                      Scott Pierce and James Mann jointly.

Owned by Laima Physick and Maree Gawley          $52.50 each

First Free kick:         Blake Jones owned by the Oakes synd.                $45.00

Division Three

Best:                      Ash Moeller owned by Laima Physick                   $45.00

NEXT WEEK’S MATCHES

Next week sees East Coast back at Bruce Purser Reserve for five matches across a huge day on Saturday June 26th with the Premier Division game against St George starting under lights at 6.10pm.

10.00am      U/18 Challenge Cup v Macquarie Uni

Midday         Division Three v Macquarie Uni

2.00pm        Division One v Macquarie Uni

4.00pm        U/18 Premier Cup v St George

6.10pm          Premier Division v St George.