Eagles suffer 38-point loss to North Adelaide

EAGLES coach Michael Godden says his side’s season has spiralled “out of control” and is in danger of irrelevancy following a 38-point loss to North Adelaide at Prospect Oval on Saturday.

EAGLES coach Michael Godden says his side’s season has spiralled “out of control” and is in danger of irrelevancy following a 38-point loss to North Adelaide at Prospect Oval on Saturday.

After opening up a four-goal lead in the first quarter, Godden described the remainder of the match as “Groundhog Day” as his men were outclassed by a more desperate opponent.

The defeat follows losses against Adelaide and South when the Eagles had control of the game in the first quarter.

The Roosters again showed their best is good enough by blowing the game apart with a seven goal to two final quarter to record a 15.9 (99) to 9.7 (61) win.

The victory keeps their top five hopes alive and they face a must win its last game against Central District while Eagles play a do-or-die match against West Adelaide.

“I just don’t know what to say we have just spiralled out of control,” Godden said.

“Maybe we just seduced the competition early with a good run ... I just don’t know

“It is in our hands now as you say but finals is so far for what I care about at the moment.

“We are not enjoying our footy because every week is the same. It is Ground Hound Day.

“If finals happen, then great, if it doesn’t, it is back to the books.”

The Eagles lost Adam Grocke in the first quarter after he left the ground and did not return following a heavy knock to the head.

“It is not irrelevant (losing Grocke) but it was not the reason we lost,” Godden said.

“We just don’t seem to be able to score.”

Michael Wundke kicked five goals in a losing side but it was the Roosters’ run, desperation and superior finishing skills after quarter-time which was the difference.

Matthew Campbell provided plenty of run, Alex Kangur was resolute and Cameron Craig, after being moved of Wundke, kept Eagles forward Andrew Ainger’s to one goal.

Jay Shannon did his Magarey Medal chances no harm with another workman-like performance while Todd Miles was a thorn in the side of his old club.

Debutant Darren Shillabeer also bobbed at key times in the contest and kicked three goals, included a monster on the siren to end the game.

“I said at the quarter-time break that our KPIs (key performance indicators) were up and our attack was good but we just turned

“As I’ve said the last couple of weeks it is highly unlikely that we can make finals but we are not giving up and it will be another big week on the track.”

But the Roosters will be sweating on the fitness of silky-skilled defender George Thring, who limped off the ground after twisting the same ankle he injured during the pre-season.

The Roosters made hard work of their win and at times fell back into bad habits — turning the ball at key times and threatening to let the Eagles run away with it.

The Eagles took the lead during the third quarter before Shillabeer kicked his second of three goals.

Max Thring — who contained Eagles ball magnet James Boyd — then kicked a neat check-side goal on the to have his side turning for home in front by seven points.