Michael Godden chases first win as Eagles coach at Elizabeth

ELIZABETH Oval is among the final frontiers to be conquered for Woodville-West Torrens’ Michael Godden as a state league coach.

ELIZABETH Oval is among the final frontiers to be conquered for Woodville-West Torrens’ Michael Godden as a state league coach.

He took the Eagles to the 2011 premiership when they conquered Central District in the season finale and he has guided the SANFL team to victories over Western Australia, the NEAFL Northern and Victoria in his three years at the helm.

But Godden, now in his fifth season with the Eagles, has yet to win a game as a senior coach at the home of the Bulldogs - apart from a trial match.

The successful mentor will be hoping the absence of an Elizabeth victory on his resume will be rectified today when the Eagles attempt to end a 10-year drought at the ground.

“From a challenge perspective we know how good they are as a footy club,’’ Godden said. “They are not probably where they want to be at the moment but we know how competitive a unit they are.’’

The Eagles named Adam Grocke in a forward pocket but Godden is not expecting the key forward to play after he left the game in the second quarter against Norwood last week because of concussion.

Grocke was to have had another concussion test last night.

Chris Hall returns to the line-up after recovering from concussion while Matthew Goldsworthy has done enough in several reserves appearances to prompt a recall to the league side.

“Goldy has been getting better each week and has done his time,’’ Godden said. “It has been a challenge for him because he has not been in this position in his career before.’’

The Eagles are third on the ladder, a game below top-placed Port Adelaide, but Godden said the team was “not humming, we are ticking’’ and needed to find a four-quarter effort.

The Bulldogs have regained talented defender Justin Hoskin for his first game since damaging his hamstring tendons in round six. He has been added to the 21 who conquered West Adelaide last weekend for the side’s fifth win of the season.

The Bloods, who have lost Justin Hardy and Ryan Dijksman, will host Sturt at Richmond today. The Double Blues have swapped Dylan Matsen and Fraser Evans with Jack Stephens and Christian Calabrese.