Bilkey brilliant but East Coast surrender top spot

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  

JOKER POKER WINNING TICKET FOR THE WEEK

# B2574

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