Eagles again show they will be a force with strong win over Tigers in SANFL

WOODVILLE-West Torrens’ win over Glenelg shows the Eagles again have the ammunition to be a major player in the chase for the SANFL premiership.

James Rowe had an impressive debut for the Eagles. Picture: Dylan Coker

SAY what you want about Woodville-West Torrens, but the Eagles just keep turning up season after season.

There has been so much heartache for the Eagles in recent years. They are continually the dominant minor round force, only to fall over in the finals when expectations are lofty.

And it is not just the devastation of not turning minor premierships into flags, the club also has had to cope with plenty of ridicule.

However, the Eagles keep climbing off the canvas each year in pursuit of that elusive SANFL crown and this season is no different.

Glenelg was coming off a fighting loss to Port Adelaide followed by a confidence-boosting win over Norwood and new coach Mark Stone had installed a huge dose of belief in his squad.

So the battle against the Tigers at Woodville Oval yesterday loomed as a formidable challenge for an Eagles outfit missing key midfielders Jared Petrenko, Joe Sinor, James Boyd and Scott Lewis and running defender Matthew Goldsworthy.

It was the test predicted. But this Eagles mob again showed just how much resilience and character there is at Woodville, standing up to a feisty Tigers before stamping their authority for a 61-point victory.

“The club has been kicked around a bit and that stays with you,” Eagles coach Michael Godden said. “The players are fighters and every year we want to put a team out there good enough to finish top three and that is the goal like always.

“We have been pretty consistent at that lately and today’s effort shows we have got a bit to work with, it’s pretty exciting.”

The absence of some big names enabled the Eagles to promote teenager James Rowe for his league debut and give Jack Firns another opportunity. And the side did not miss a beat, Rowe especially impressive.

The Tigers controlled possessions for lengthy periods early, but could not capitalise on the scoreboard.

Tom Schott continued his solid form for the Tigers, Josh Scott is a nightmare for defenders and Chris Curran works hard down back.

The Tigers hit the front early in the second quarter, only to waste prime scoring opportunities and allow the Eagles to strike back and build a handy buffer.

The Eagles used the handball effectively and their ability to punish Tigers’ turnovers was damaging.

Chris Hall rarely fails to do his role for the Eagles, Louis Sharrad kept Matthew Snook quiet and the defence again stood its ground.

The Tigers kept plugging away in the heat, but the Eagles were able to provide the necessary answers.

Stone lamented his players allowing opponents to too often get goal side.

“Our issue is we did not work hard enough and did not do the basics well enough,” he said.

“We pressured well in passages, but did not stop them getting goal side enough.

“It was just a matter of run in the second half and we just could not run with them.”

EAGLES 3.3 7.5 11.9 18.12 (120)

GLENELG 1.3 3.7 5.11 8.11 (59)

BEST — Eagles: Hall, Rowe, Sharrad, Giuffreda, Lukosius, N. Hayes, Thompson. Glenelg: Schott, Scott, Reynolds, Curran, Scharenberg.

GOALS — Eagles: Johansen 4, Lukosius, N. Hayes 3, T. Gray, J. Hayes 2, Thompson, Haylock, Sharrad, Redden. Glenelg: Scott 3, Motlop, Koster, T. Milera, Hosie, Reynolds.

INJURIES — Glenelg: White (leg)

UMPIRES — Galletly, Crosby, Scott.

CROWD — 1972 at Maughan Thiem Hyundai Oval, Woodville.