Men’s Premier Division Match of the Round – East Coast Eagles v North Shore Bombers

Written by Lucas Holmes

 

The East Coast Eagles had the bye in round 3, in round 2 they were defeated by UTS by 49 points. After leading for the majority of the afternoon against Sydney University, North Shore was run down in the last term as University recorded a 9 point win.

 

First quarter

North Shore had a couple of early opportunities through Nick Hill and the returning Felix Rogers.

It was third time lucky for the Bombers, and it was Hill who kicked the first goal.

From a boundary throw-in on the half-forward flank Jordan Law’s low kick inside the forward 50 was met by a sliding Hill who converted from the boundary line 30 metres out from goal.

The Eagles had limited time with the football in the early exchanges but didn’t have to wait much longer for their first goal of the afternoon.

Daniel Gauchi intercepted Sam Austin’s kick that was meant for Tom Meacham between the half-forward flank and centre wing. Justin Harding collected a sharp handball and at the last minute pulled his kick to Zachary Johns on the 50-metre arc.

Johns who wasted no time sighted a vacant goal square and set sail for home. His kick just had the required journey.

As the 20-minute mark of the first term approached, The Bombers had their second through Ned Campbell.

After Mitch Cristafulli’s dominant tap the initial clearance was smothered. Campbell delayed his kick ever so slightly which gave him enough time to snap across his body for his first goal of the afternoon.

A flurry of late goals rounded out the first term. Max Thomas (after he kicked four in round 3) had his first, John’s second and Baylee Jones came in quick succession for the Eagles. Before a goal just before the quarter-time siren to Christian Loone ended an entertaining first quarter.

Quarter time East Coast Eagles 3.0.18 North Shore Bombers 4.4.28.

 

Second quarter

East Coast wasn’t taking a backwards step as they imposed a physical brand of football as the second term got underway.

But it was the Bombers who had the first with just over three minutes elapsed time.

Following a one-handed mark on the far centre wing, a 50-metre free-kick was paid for an infraction on the mark. North Shore couldn’t quite take this early opportunity as the set shot from 40 metres was pulled to the left.

East Coast’s defence managed to limit the Bombers’ opportunities inside 50 and almost sprung the perfect counterattack with 14 minutes gone in the quarter.

From a ball up in East Coast defensive 50, Harding kicked long into the centre of the ground. With numbers around the football, the Eagles transferred the ball to the far half-forward flank where a slick Zachary Johns handball released Tim Organ whose running shot was pushed across the face of the goal.

The Eagles were well and truly in the contest as halftime approached (and the home fans sensed it). Tensions started to boil right on the halftime siren.

Half time East Coast Eagles 3.2.20 North Shore Bombers 4.5.29.

 

Third quarter

It didn’t take long for the North Shore midfield to impose themselves at the beginning of the third term.

Chain handballs from the opening bounce led to a mark deep inside the forward 50, Although Rayner couldn’t convert the snap on his non-dominant side.

With repeated stoppages, the Bombers had the football hemmed inside their forward 50. Hill had North Shore’s fifth goal as the sixth-minute mark approached.

East Coast cleared their defensive 50 briefly as Harry Walker took an intercept mark on the centre wing. Walker wasted no time sending the ball deep where Hill took a contested mark and went back to kick his second from deep in the forward pocket. The Bombers’ lead extended to 17 points.

The Bombers had the chance to extend their lead soon after through Thomas after Veale’s clearance on the centre wing. However, Thomas pushed his set shot out to the right.

East Coast up until this point of the quarter struggled to get the football into their forward 50. Although they weren’t taking a backwards step physically as spot fires be started to break out in contested situations (Tom Meacham’s jumper had to be changed after it was ripped).

A strong tackle from Cameron Wood on the far centre wing set up an opportunity for the Eagles.

Wood sent the ball inside the forward 50. Brendan Coxall collected the ball in stride close to the boundary, however, his shot on goal was marked on the goal line by Ben Cunningham.

Rayner ended that passage of play with a goal from just outside the goal square and then added his second less than a minute later.

A late goal to William Giacometti finished a strong quarter for the Bombers as the East Coast pressure started to drop away.

Three quarter time East Coast Eagles 3.4.22 North Shore Bombers 8.9.57.

 

Fourth quarter

East Coast had an opportunity as the fourth term commenced.

As players struggled to gain control of the football in the centre square, Matthew Eastman sent the ball to centre half-forward. The ball was kicked along the ground where Zachary Johns laid a strong tackle. Brendan Coxall pounced on the loose ball, but his off-balance snap stayed out to the left for a minor score.

Both sides registered minor scores as the game opened up and the players were fatigued with the heavy playing surface.

North Shore kicked the first goal of the quarter with 17 minutes elapsed.

From an intercept mark on the half-forward flank, Nicholas Brewer got his opponent to leave his feet giving him extra time to find a target inside the forward 50. His kick to a contest in the forward pocket was roved by Thomas. He fed a short handball to Cristafulli, who under pressure just got a quick kick away which sailed through.

A late goal to Thomas finished off a six-goal second half for the Bombers, the final margin of 50 points.

Full time East Coast Eagles 3.7.25 North Shore Bombers 10.15.75.

 

For the home side, Justin Harding impressed around the football. Brendan Coxall racked up the disposals and Daniel Gauchi despite being a late change showed promise.

Christian Loone played a different role for the Bombers playing in key defence. Both Sam Barkley and Harry Walker played important roles behind the football whilst Kyle Devlin was immense in contested situations.

 

East Coast Eagles 3.7.25

Goal kickers: Z. Johns 2, B. Jones

Best: J. Harding, L. Mason, N, Johns, K. Garnett, M. Eastman, A. Edwards

 

North Shore Bombers 10.15.75

Goal kickers: N. Hill 2, J. Rayner 2, M. Thomas 2, N. Campbell, W. Giacometti, C. Loone, L. Puncher

Best: J. Law, J. Campbell, J. Veale, K. Devlin, L. Puncher, H. Walker