Sturt vs Eagles Saturday 17th April House Brothers

The Guv wrote:Certainley didnt see that result coming! One got the feeling watching today that the side is really starting to gel together as a group on the field. Its damn lucky for the Eags that Salter did not get drafted to the Crows or he would probably be playing AFL at present!

And that Broadbent has been told by choco he's not in the Powers top 30

17/04/2010 Rnd 4
Eagles vs Sturt


By Peter Argent



In the most impressive performance under Michael Godden’s short tenure, a 9 goal final quarter gave the Eagles an emphatic 44 point victory over last year’s grand finalist, Sturt at House Brothers Oval at Unley.

After kicking 5 goals during a highly entertaining game in each of the first three terms, Woodville West Torrens impressive 9 goal last term was the best quarter performance for the season.

Power listed player Matthew Broadbent, who is the nephew of an Australian (women’s) test cricketer, gave a best on ground performance.

Team leader Mark McKenzie displayed his usual composure and ball skills in yet another stellar display during his 149 game career with the blue, green and yellow tri-colours.

Another ultra consistent performer over a long life at Oval Avenue, Luke Powell has continued his outstanding start to the 2010 campaign.

Recruited to the Club last year from Geelong, Jay Cheep produced his best performance since arriving in the SANFL.

Ben Grieger, the Club’s recruit from Lameroo, via West Adelaide to replace Zack Hier did a superb job closing down Sturt premier goal sneak Brant Chambers. The Double Blues multiple Ken Farmer Medallist kicked 2 goals and one of those was from a dubious free kick.

After an impressive pre-season, teenager Matthew Goldsworthy was also a key component in the win.

Both the Yorke Peninsula export Goldsworthy and fellow small man Cheep, in career best efforts kicked 4 goal each.

The quartet of new recruits Scott Welsh, Broadbent, South Clare lad Nick Salter and Adam Grocke all finished with yields of 3 goals.

In fact 10 Eagles made their way onto the goal scores sheet, on a day that would have excited many Eagles fans.

Godden’s mantra of continuing the defensive intensity of Ron Fuller’s era and add attacking flair certainly came to the fore in this contest.

Woodville West Torrens now has a 9 day break before they take on a rival South Adelaide, who has traditionally been hard to beat, even though they have usually been at the bottom end of the ladder.

Also now with 2006 Eagles premiership coach Fuller in charge of the Panthers, this just adds a little more intrigue to the Round Five contest.

Have just read Peter Argent's account of yesterdays game & Ben Greiger's great job on Brant Chambers only allowing him 2 goals, one of which was from a dubious free kick.
At presentation when 'Gods' made special mention of Ben's effort he did say that he kept Chambers to "one & a half goals".

Eagle014 wrote:Have just read Peter Argent's account of yesterdays game & Ben Greiger's great job on Brant Chambers only allowing him 2 goals, one of which was from a dubious free kick.
At presentation when 'Gods' made special mention of Ben's effort he did say that he kept Chambers to "one & a half goals".

I have been reading one sturt fans thoughts on my footy forum who thinks Ben didnt hold chambers bit of a joke IMHO

The planets have realigned, the universe is balanced - and Sturt is again our whipping bitch.

Round 4 – Eagles vs Sturt



Michael Godden – League Coach Report



As I stated in last week’s review, to play and beat Sturt we needed to be a lot better around the stoppages, we also needed to improve our skills under pressure. I thought for the majority of the game we were able to do this.

The first quarter was a great contest between two sides that were desperate for a win. The second quarter started off with Sturt taking the ascendency from us and getting away to a small lead. The boys fought back hard and by half time we had arrested back the lead. I felt at the main break we didn’t need to change what we had set up from the start of the game, I just thought we needed to maintain our intensity and continue to work on what we could control, which was our structures. The third quarter was a real arm wrestle with neither side being able to take control. For the third time in three weeks we had a real challenge at the three quarter time break, but to the players credit they stuck to what we had been trying to do all day and there is no doubt it did click, with all players making a good contribution to finish off the game with a nine goal quarter.

From here we now need to consolidate a good win with another, every win at this time of year is invaluable in getting a good enough ladder position come the end of the minor round. The game on Monday is another real test for our group. We travel to Hickinbotham Oval where it is always difficult, especially with South not having a great result on the weekend, which will certainly mean they will be extremely hungry for success. In saying that there is no doubt in my mind that we found some of our ball movement and our intensity on the weekend that we have been training for, and now we need to continue to improve in these areas and and put together a solid four quarter effort.




Craig Smith – Reserves Coach Report



The theme for the build up to this week’s game was for the players to take up the challenge of taking on Sturt and Unley. Unfortunately for us the players were unable to rise to this challenge in the first quarter. Our work rate was well below par and before we knew it the score was six goals to two. In the second quarter our work rate lifted and our defensive pressure enabled us to work our way into the game. At half time we had managed to give ourselves a chance to win the game.



The second half was much more pleasing and hopefully proved to the boys that they are able to compete with the best sides in the competition. We were even able to get within a goal early in the last quarter. Disappointingly though each time it looked like we were going to be able to work our way to the front our skills would let us down and an error would stop our flow. This is unquestionably the strongest message from the game. We need to improve our skills under pressure if we are going to compete and get maximum reward for our work for the remainder of the year.



For the second week in a row we had a player return from long term injury and perform outstandingly well, and it is a credit to Nathan Daniel that he returned in the manner he did. We also had good contributions from Cody Hicks and Crows recruit Luke Thompson gave the team some spark and kicked three goals in the second half when moved up forward.



We will be striving to improve our skills and consistent work rate throughout the games in the coming weeks, and look forward to another challenge on Monday as we venture down to Noarlunga.




Terry Hutton – Under 18 Coach Report



Sturt completely outplayed Eagles and had 3 goals on the board before Eagles scored. Sturt dominated the centre square with back play, clever handball and movement forward. Their tackling was strong , causing spillage. They ran in numbers. The Eagles missed easy shots in front of goals. Jake Fairclough was one who worked hard to get the Eagles into the game.



In the 2nd quarter Sturt continued to dominate the centre bounce. Their back up handball cut through the Eagle defences. They were able to break tackles with speed and determination. The Eagles found themselves under pressure all the time. They fumbled in the contest, often falling over. The backline was under siege all the time often being led to the ball. Sturt repelled many attacks by sitting players behind the ball crowding our forward line.



Eagles were far more competitive in the 3rd quarter. Many scrimmages occurred.

Again many easy goals were missed but some linking plays were good.

Positional changes were made trying to balance the side. The Team game improved. Injuries occurred to main ruckman Simon Goss and important follower Cameron Sutcliffe. Braden Cunningham battled hard against odds at Centre Half Back



In the last quarter, a much stronger attack on the ball was noticeable but fumbling cost the home side dearly. Beside missing shots the ball came out of the forward line easily. Kicking under pressure lacked penetration and accuracy.

J. Growden efforts in the 2nd half were excellent. Overall a disappointing performance from the team.




Darren Hams – Under 16 Coach Report



After a solid School Holiday program in which we played 5 games across the 2 weeks, we were able to win our second game. With a much better team performance across the four quarters the lads stuck to the structures which were in place and were able to put the game beyond doubt during the third quarter by kicking 9 goals.



Our midfield through Joe Sinor, Luke Dunstan, Taleb Tilbrook, Nick Clift and James Batty were able to get their hands on the ball first and use it much more effectively by taking the first option. The forwards were able to capitalize on this in which we had 9 goal kickers for the game with Tasman Fitzgerald 4, Daniel Toole 3, Jake Beerenfells 3 and Joe Sinor 3 goals.



The backline was very solid as well as providing drive through the midfield and into our forward line, well done to first gamer Jesse Sandford who took some solid marks in front of packs across half back and Pat Hill who consistently performs in the backlines

Flash wrote:The planets have realigned, the universe is balanced - and Sturt is again our whipping bitch.

Flash mate anywhere else and you would get told off for that.
But I must agree
Now where's loud Eagle and the bandwagoners falling off they were leaving in the 3rd term on Saturday!!