Juniors look for spots

The second article from the local rag
EAGLES coach Michael Godden will give the club's emerging juniors a chance to break into league ranks this footy season.

Competition for spots at the Eagles, who are the reigning premiers, will be fierce, but Godden said it was important the club's next batch of players were exposed to senior football, if ready.

"We are going to see some young boys come up and challenge for a league spot," Godden said.

"The path we are taking is to make sure that the juniors get the best opportunity possible."

Among the junior players looking to cement a spot in the Eagles' league side this season is 17-year-old Matthew McDonough, who finished off last season with a run in the reserves (see separate report).

The Eagles have put in a solid few weeks on the track since Christmas and, while Godden admitted the club was probably behind some other clubs in their pre-season, he was satisfied with their progress.

The club has continued to focus heavily on speed and strength, while also doing some endurance work.

"We are continuing our normal pre-season with the power work, to be more powerful as a club," he said.

"We are probably going to be a bit behind other clubs because we have had a few players having surgery but are just looking to make sure we get everything in the right place."

The Eagles will play an in-house trial match at Thebarton Oval on Saturday, February 25, before taking on Glenelg, at Glenelg Oval, on Saturday, March 3.

Isn't the internal trial on the Friday and why would we play at Glenelg Oval when there are cricket finals played at that time. It would look stupid if we turn up at Glenelg and there were people in white on the ground.

MightyEagles wrote:Isn't the internal trial on the Friday and why would we play at Glenelg Oval when there are cricket finals played at that time. It would look stupid if we turn up at Glenelg and there were people in white on the ground.

Correct, the internal trial incorporating Player Auction will be held on FRIDAY FEB 24TH at Thebby.
I'm fairly sure the Eags start their camp quite a few kms away on Saturday 25th Feb.
You are also correct that Glenelg cricket club are training & playing on Glenelg Oval. Maybe if Glenelg don't make the finals the footy club get access to the oval early, just as it is with us at Woodville.

MightyEagles wrote:Isn't the internal trial on the Friday and why would we play at Glenelg Oval when there are cricket finals played at that time. It would look stupid if we turn up at Glenelg and there were people in white on the ground.

just copied what the paper said internal is on the friday night

We could ask about it tonight re the Glenelg game.

Back on topic, we have a very good structure at the Eagles with the juniors, if they are good enough they will be rewarded. I remember watching Sam Jacobs in the juniors when I first started with the 17s/19s way back when, he was good, when not in the ruck he was in the goal square kicking a couple goals.