The much anticipated match was played hot steamy conditions with the temperature still around 30'c when play started at 6.45pm.
Both sides from the outset looked a little light on numbers with only 2 or 3 being on the bench which may prove costly as the heat got to players towards the end of the game but time would tell.
The Roos started in great shape dominating the play with but unable to get on the scoreboard until Travis McKenzie took a strong contested mark and kicked truely. Great work from the backline lead by Ben Watts and Jeff Reid were holding the Eagles at bay and Kyle Bridson was frustrating the Eagles Old man. Towards the end of the 1st quarter Travis McKenzie goaled again from a free kick and the roos held a 11 points lead at the 1st break.
A strong 2nd quarter would be need if the Eagles unbeaten run of 9 games was to come to an end at the hand of the Roos. The Roos were winning the center and around the ground ball ups but able to capitalise with clearences at the contest while also being beaten in the one on one battles around the ground, but still able to hold there own. Chet Long braving a cracked rib to help out his teammates picked up a ball that went long over the pack and goaled on the run from 40 metres out while Justin Rigney marked and goaled also. Chet Long had deja vue but just missed his 2nd for the term as the Roos fought bravely under the constant assualt from the Eagles as the banged on 4 goals for the 2nd 20 minutes to get themselves right back into the match. The Roos at the long break by only 2 points.
With the momentum have shifted in favour of the Eagles in the back half of the 2nd quarter, coach Curran was eager to get his players in the right frame of mind to start the 3rd quarter. The temperture of course was helping as both teams looked for any extra reserves of energy to help maintain the fierce pace the game wasn't being played at. The Roos were winning the center taps from Manny Matata but they weren't able to clear the ball when it left his hands. The Eagles were getting the upper hand and when moving into their forward line made the most of heir chances and kicked 5 for the term while the Roos got 2 goals both from Tarvis McKenzie who snapped truely and took an uncontested mark. The Eagles by 19 points after 3 quarters.
The Eagles are always hard to beat when they have captured the lead, so the roos were looking for someone to provide a spark. That someone on this day was Colin Mark who stepped up playing across the center and picked up many possiosns and kept his cool while under pressure to deliver the ball into the forward line. Looking to take advantage of any chances, Justin Rigney goaled from a mark and whenTravis McKenzie goaled after swooping on a loose ball from 4 meters out the gap had closed to 8 points. Momentum had shifted back to the Roos when a controversial umpiring decision behind play when the Roos had kicked deep into their forward line killed off any chance of a comeback when the Eagles goaled from the free kick. The Eagles going onto win by 21 points.
The positive from the game is that the Roos were extremely competitive with the undefeated Toronto Eagles and with 4 experienced Canadians and 3 Aussies to come back into the team the signs of a strong finals venture are there.
Next Game: Saturday July 24th 5.00pm Round 10 Vs Toronto Rebels @ Humber North
Quarter By Quarter Scores
Etobicoke Tor. Eagles
1st: 2.2.14 0.1.1
2nd: 4.4.28 4.2.26
3rd: 6.4.40 9.5.59
Final: 8.4.52 11.7.73
Best Players: Travis McKenzie, Kyle Bridson, Colin Mark, Chris Haesler, Mark Storey, Chet Long.
Goalkickers: Travis McKenzie 5, Justin Rigney 2, Chet Long 1.
Weekly Award Winners Wolf Blass - Gift Pack: Kyle Bridson
Maple Leaf House - $20 Gift Voucher: Chet Long
Coach's Award - Beer Mug: Travis McKenzie
Pizza Pizza - 1 %er Free Large Pizza: Colin Mark
Etobicoke Kangaroos Next Game Round 10: Friday July 24th Div 1 Vs Toronto Rebels 5pm @ Humber North
Last Modified on 05/01/2011 08:10