Down at the HCC when the wind blows from the Sou'West beware the circling Eagles as they stalk their first prey for the year – the table-topping Bulldogs.
As with most games against the Bulldogs – the team everyone loves to beat – most teams start strong in the first quarter and run out of puff in the third, but against the Dogs you have to be strong over four quarters but this game was different.
The Eagles were looking for their first win and picked today of all day’s to fire up with some inspiring massive pack marks being taken by James Southby - one he launched himself into a pack of three - laid on top like he was sun bathing and took the mark on his chest before rolling off their heads 6ft up back to his feet. Robbie Wigley was also dancing through traffic and being put into clean space by the veteran Eagle Andy Howison who made a much needed cameo and was racking up hard ball gets in the middle.
Arguably the best ruckman in the league The Bulldogs Shaun Sas was winning the majority of taps and putting Wazza and Jakey into space or Cooky’s run off half-back was never read and he came through the middle to turn the centre ball stoppage into deep attack and found the Doggies forwards of Stevie or Kearnsey or young Max Frew who is a very effective forward when delivered straight to him. Wayward kicking kept the Eagles in touch.
The game changer started in the second quarter when a 50m was paid and Becky absolutely lost his mental capacity and reverted to Monty Python-esque Neanderthal distraction tactics on the mark but Moff kicked truly through the big sticks to put the Eagles 8 points ahead at half time and he started flapping his wings and squawking like an Eagle on the hunt. Things were going from bizarre to banal at the HCC and it wasn’t just the half time scoreboard. Eagles 5 4 34 to Bulldogs 3 8 26.
The trusty backs of Morel, Clint, Logan and Liam held the Dogs back for most of the third quarter who kicking with the slight breeze from the Sou’west only managed 1 goal 4 in the 3rd quarter whilst the Eagles snuck in a point. The difference in a lot of close games is the top 2 inches – and if you BELIEVE you can win then generally you can. The three quarter time huddle around the Eagles was loud, vocal and pumped whilst the Bulldogs huddle was concentrated, methodical and determined. It was bit like the French playing the All Blacks in World Cups with the Eagles going to throw caution to the wind and play everything in the last quarter whilst the Bulldogs were trying to work out how to work there way out of this hole they were in.
From the first contested tap Reuben got one past Sas and found Howie onto Robbie who kicked long and the Eagles forwards finished it off with a minute of the start. Back to the middle Sas punched long into Jakes arm who spun around kicking to Dozer who was running into open goal but new eagle Joshua Barret came flying from the side to smother the ball that was surely going to put the Dogs back in front. Ando swooped on the loose ball kicking wide to the wing where Kynan used his monster boot to once again send the Eagles forward. Suddenly the scales were tipping and the Eagles belief was surging. The action was end to end with both sides defending well but eventually, the Eagles were able to avoid the draw this time and score their first win against the Bulldogs since the 2015 Grand Final. Well done both clubs for a very entertaining game of footy. And thanks to the 50 or so spectators who were watching around the ground. 6 7 43 to 4 13 37
Author: Steve Langridge
Last Modified on 18/10/2018 15:05