Eagles claim convincing win over inefficient West Adelaide in SANFL

Woodville-West Torrens is starting to make statements on the SANFL competition and impressed with the manner they got the job done against West Adelaide.

Way back in November, Woodville-West Torrens coach Sam Lonergan noted it would take eight to 10 games for his players to full embrace his theories.

He admits there were plenty of sleepless night, lots of hard work and one-on-one chats while the Eagles endured a frustrating run of five successive losses.

After the Eagles claimed a fourth successive victory with a 60-point win over West Adelaide at Woodville Oval on Saturday, Lonergan recalled a training drill during the Thursday night training session before the round 7 win over Norwood.

“The players had been hearing the plans would work, but it was hard to teach while we were losing,” Lonergan said. “In a particular drill we did for 10 minutes, it was the first time the players felt how well it can work and how much trouble it can cause opposition sides.

“That was the first moment I knew individuals felt what we wanted to achieve. They had heard it, we had been teaching it and trying to break it down for them, but they had not had that 100 per cent feel until that moment.

“This is why you coach. You implement structure and change and do everything possible, and at times you live on the edge of the cliff because it is either going to work or it is not.”

The Eagles are still outside the top five on the ladder, but they are on the march after standing up to an early challenge from the Bloods, before making another statement for rivals.

The Bloods, playing with plenty of spirit, controlled much of the first quarter and had nine more entries inside their attacking 50. Yet, they led by just two points at the first change because of poor delivery deep into attack, as well as sloppy kicking for goal.

Eagles Jordan Foote kicks as West's Jack Evans tackles. Picture: AAP Image/Russell Millard

And they were punished for not capitalising on their territorial advantage, the Eagles cleaning up their turnover concerns from the first term to build a 32-point buffer on the back of improved movement.

Jordan Foote continued his brilliant form in the Eagles engine room, Jake Johansen produced his best form for the season, James Rowe had an impact in attack and captain Luke Thompson, Jake von Bertouch and Patrick Giuffreda stood up in defence.

The Eagles looked dangerous with each visit into attack, a contrast to the sloppy Bloods.

“Our inside 50 composure and decision making was well below standard,” Bloods coach Gavin Colville lamented.

“It is hugely frustrating. You can see elements of our lay where there is a glimmer of light. We had the better first quarter, but could not find a way to hit the scoreboard.”

SCOREBOARD

EAGLES 1.1 7.3 11.9 16.11 (107)

WEST ADELAIDE 1.3 1.7 3.10 6.11 (47)

BEST — Eagles: Foote, Johansen, von Bertouch, Thompson, Giuffreda, Rowe, Sinor. West: Stevens, Keough, Batley, Hill, P. Fairlie, Waite.

GOALS — Eagles: Rowe 4, Johansen, Petrenko, Redden 2, N. Hayes, Hall, J. Hayes, Foote, Moore, Poole. West: B. Turner, Osborn 2, Stevens, Haysman.

UMPIRES — Sobieraj, Bowen, Beyer.

CROWD — 1460 at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval, Woodville.