Eagles one step from redemption after claiming grand final spot by downing Blues

WOODVILLE-West Torrens’ season of redemption is just one win from a successful mission after the Eagles conquered Sturt by 24 points in the second-semi final at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.

In control ... the Eagles’ Jackson Press breaks a Sturt tackle. Picture: Tom Huntley

WOODVILLE-West Torrens’ season of redemption is just one win from a successful mission.

The Eagles, shattered after losing last year’s grand final to West Adelaide after starting as the hot favourite, can erase those bitter memories when they contest this year’s season finale.

They are the first team into the SANFL title decider after conquering the Double Blues by 24 points in the second semi-final at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.

They did not have it all their own way. The Double Blues had 10 more trips inside the attacking 50 and a few more possessions, while there was little between the two sides in the other stats.

However, the Eagles were far more efficient going into attack and they were able to nail the critical moments. Plus their ability to absorb pressure, but still cause damage on the scoreboard, proved decisive.

Eagles coach Michael Godden was quite subdued after the contest, a reflection that the job is still not complete following the hurt from last season, as well as the elimination final loss in 2014.

“You can never get last year back, all you can do is go and get it again, and that is what good sides do,” Godden said. “That is what we are planning on doing and we have put ourselves in a good position.

“On the back of last year, this is another step. We have had processes all along, get the double chance, tick that box, then the next one was make the grand final. There is still unfinished business.”

Sturt’s Jack Osborn and Woodville-West Torrens’ Jarrad Redden battle in the ruck. Picture: Tom Huntley

Double Blues coach Marty Mattner lamented his side’s poor execution in front of goal, especially in the first quarter, when missed opportunities proved crucial.

Eagles small forward Lachlan McGregor, back in the side after surgery to repair a broken arm, nailed the first goal just 50 seconds into the contest.

It took the Double Blues 21 minutes to bag their first, courtesy of Kory Beard. Until then, the Eagles had four goals and the Double Blues three behinds despite a bundle more trips inside their attacking 50.

In contrast to the wasteful Double Blues, the Eagles kicked five goals from their first seven attacking raids inside 50. The Double Blues were also punished for two 25m penalties in the first half following undisciplined acts.

It all starts down back for the Eagles, missing Nick O’Brien due to a hamstring issue, where Luke Thompson, Patrick Guiffreda, Phil Raymond, Jarrad Allmond, Jake von Bertouch and Phil Raymond take control with composure and conviction.

The Eagles lead blew out to 34 points in the second term but there is plenty of fight in the Double Blues and they cut the deficit to 15 midway through the third. That said, the Eagles always seemed to have their opponent at arm’s length.

“We did not execute in front of goal,” Mattner said. “It was three points to three goals in the first quarter, it’s a different game if you kick goals and puts pressure on them.

“They were always three, four goals up and we could never get it back to one or two goals.”

SCOREBOARD

EAGLES 5.1 8.2 10.7 12.12 (84)

STURT 2.3 3.6 6.9 8.12 (60)

BEST — Eagles: Thompson, Allmond, Giuffreda, Raymond, Poole, von Bertouch, Lewis. Sturt: Kirkwood, Stephens, F. Evans, Battersby, Crocker, Osborn.

GOALS — Eagles: Ainger 3, McGregor 2, Wundke, Borholm, Gaffney, Rowntree, Press, Redden, Poole. Sturt: Beard 2, Greenslade, Hansen, Martin, M. Evans, Gamble, Riley.

UMPIRES — Lewis, Philp, Haussen.

CROWD — 9029 at Adelaide Oval.