Wide Bay AFL results for the first round of the 2023 season
Across The Waves Eagles’ coach Shaun Stone admitted before the 2023 campaign that his senior men’s side struggled last year, finishing bottom of the ladder. But they’ve kicked off this season in style, coming from behind to defeat Bay Power in a two-point thriller. Here are the players who made all the difference.
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Across The Waves Eagles coach Shaun Stone admitted before the 2023 campaign started that his senior men’s side struggled last season, finishing bottom of the ladder in the AFL Wide Bay with only three wins.
They kicked off this season in style on Saturday, April 15, however, coming from behind to defeat rivals Bay Power in a two-point thriller.
Power had a chance to kick a winning goal in the last 20 seconds, but missed and the Eagles held on for a 5-9-39 to 5-7-37 victory.
The Power kicked three goals and two behinds to the Eagles’ one goal in the opening quarter before ATW fought back with three goals in the second stanza.
Bay Power led at half-time by eight points in a low-scoring contest and after a goalless third quarter, the Eagles kicked the only goal of the final quarter to hold on for the win.
For the Eagles, Jayden Enever kicked two goals as did Karl Williams, while Kyle Bugeja kicked three goals for Bay Power.
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Stone was delighted to hang on for the victory and said it was the perfect start to the season after the struggles last campaign.
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“Either team could have won,” he said.
“Although they took an early lead, we were never out of the game and it was great to see us hold on.
“They could have won it right at the end, but luckily for us could not kick the goal.
“Both teams struggled and it was low-scoring and you can probably put that down to it being round one and sides blowing off cobwebs after the preseason.”
The Eagles take on Brothers Bulldogs on Anzac Day, Tuesday, April 23 with Stone eyeing another win to start the campaign with a bang.
“Our target was to win the opening two games and we are halfway there,” he said.
“Going two from two would be a great start for us.”
Stone singled out some players who helped take his side to the win in round one.
“Jayden Enever carried on his great form from preseason into round one.
“He was one of our better players.
“Karl (Williams) played in the forward pocket. He hasn’t played for the past couple of years, so he is finding his way back in again and he’s a handy pick-up for us this year.
“In the backline Corey Enever competed well all game and made it hard for his opponent and helped us with rebound footy throughout the contest.”
In the other game of the senior men’s competition, reigning premiers Hervey Bay Bombers defeated Brothers Bulldogs in a repeat of last year’s grand final.
The Bombers won 13-11-89 to 2-7-19, with Kaine Cates kicking seven goals, with Matthew Hickey and James Duffy grabbing two each.
Jefferson Baulch and Harrison Tancredi were the goal-kickers for the Bulldogs.
In the senior women’s AFLW Wide Bay competition, the Eagles, who went undefeated when winning last season’s premiership, defeated Bay Power 13-6-84 to 2-4-16, with Kelly Blair and Beth Gapes both kicking three goals for the Eagles.
Caitlin Taylor and Bella Thom kicked majors for Bay Power.
The Bombers beat the Bulldogs 3-9-27 to 2-3-15.
The next round of fixtures in Wide Bay AFL for both men and women are on Anzac Day, Tuesday, April 25.
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