East Coast Eagles Looking To Soar Into The Future

Written by Lucas Holmes

 

A change in senior coaches has led to a new philosophy at the East Coast Eagles.

Since their last Premier Division men’s premiership in 2016, the Eagles have lost some key players including Kieran Emery and Jamie Vlatko.

However, according to new Premier Division men’s coach Damien Truslove, exposing young talent to premier division football will be instrumental in the overall redevelopment of East Coast’s football program.

Truslove, who’s had a long career in coaching, started as a development coach with Carlton in the AFL before working with Richmond’s VFL setup.

More recently, Truslove was part of the GWS GIANTS, coaching their NEAFL midfield and backline as well as looking after player skill development. Before his move to East Coast, Truslove was the coach of the Bendigo Pioneers in the NAB League.

“My philosophy is to give local talent an opportunity to play at the highest level,” he explained.

He certainly walks the talk, with East Coast playing 10 debutants up to Round 5.

One of these younger players, Kyle Spencer, was the men’s Rising Star nominee for Round 3.

Spencer played a few games in the under 19s to start the year Truslove said. Following this, they “promote those talented enough to reserve grade to see how they hold up against men. If they hold their own we’ll give them a chance in Premier Division,” he said.

Spencer has done exactly that. Out of the three games he’s played, Spencer has been in the best six three times playing as a midfield/forward.

Truslove acknowledges that the short term might not yield the results that he and the club are after but “the long term future is pretty bright”.

Something that East Coast Eagles President David Arndt agrees with. “We’ve found a really good coach in Damien (Truslove), he really holds the values of what we want to do as a footy club,” he said.

The Eagles have also seen a change at the helm of their Premier Division women’s team.

Former Eagle Ash Moeller takes the reigns from Peter Steer who took the side to a preliminary final in 2020.

Moeller returns to Kanebridge Oval after winning two premierships as a player/coach at the Western Magic between 2014-2016. Then moving onto becoming the Female Talent Manager for AFL NSW/ACT between 2017-2020.

Moeller too has added some new players. Reigning GIANTS AFLW best and fairest Alyce Parker and 2020 draftee Tarni Evans joins the group that already includes fellow GIANT Georgia Garnett and the talented Rylee McGartland.

However, due to the recently concluded AFLW season and with some players electing to play in the VFLW, the Eagles recruits haven’t seen much time on the field.

“Evans and Garnett have only played the two games and Parker only one,” Moeller said.

One player who’s stepped up in their absence is 17-year-old Georgina Fowler. Fowler who was the Rising Star nominee for Round 2 had a delayed start to the season due to injury.

After recovering from some minor stress fractures in her back, Fowler has helped the Eagles to an undefeated start to the season.

“She kicked three goals against fellow premiership contender Manly-Warringah and as a result, has been gaining extra attention from opposition players,” said Moeller when describing Fowler’s start to the season.

With Fowler’s breakout start to 2021, Moeller thinks she has the potential to make it to AFLW.

“She’s one to look for, potentially draftable this year if not the next couple. Her growth and form line is massive.” That’s high praise from a coach who’s been around the best players in the state for some time.

As a result of the changes at the club, Arndt is optimistic about what they can achieve.

Off the field, Arndt wants to see the Eagles continue to build their culture (which saw them win four Premier Division men’s premierships in an eight-year period).

“I think our Premier Division women have the ability to go all the way. The list we have, the way they’re playing and the development that Ash Moeller’s bought is really good”.

The East Coast Eagles would like to thank the following major partners for the ongoing support of the club;

Kanebridge

Vesta Homes

Mansfield Corporation

Eden Brae homes

The Fidler Hotel

 

Photo By Merrillie Redden