The Eagles went into Saturday’s match against the 2012 premiers with their strongest side of the season after players such as Rachael Anstey and Tayla Harris returned to field a full team sheet for the much anticipated showdown. The 13-10-88 to 4-5-29 loss was the first of the Eagles’ season, putting a dent in their perfect match record for 2013.
The game got off to an even start with each team adding 2 goals to the scoreboard in the first quarter. The Eagles, with plenty of run, overcame a 2 goal setback and the game looked like it was going to be an entertaining encounter of the two good sides.
Eagles’ coach Geoff Webster noted how the Devils unsettled Zillmere in the second quarter.
“Yeronga started to gain ascendency through hard running and hard tackling,” he said. “They added 6 goals to our only 1 in the second quarter.”
After half time, Yeronga continued with that style of play, their backline now getting completely on top of any Eagles forward entry. The high number of turnovers in the Eagles’ forward fifty was a notable error point for the side that started the season well and were normally able to maintain possession. The Devils put the game beyond the Eagles’ reach by the third break.
An early goal in the last quarter gave the Eagles some sort of hope, but Yeronga once again lifted their intensity to completely shut out any Eagles’ resistance.
Despite the score-line, the Eagles’ defenders were praised for their commitment and hard play. Bree Weaver was awarded best on ground for Zillmere, defeating her opponent at every opportunity in defence, continually delivering the Eagles an out from the back-line. Alongside her, Jen Kelly was given the coach’s award for her second, third and fourth efforts when the odds were against her. Also of notoriety was the Crazy Eagle award, voted on by team members for Madi Crowley’s emotional, tear-stained address at ¾ time, revving her team up for the last quarter. Struck down by a fractured collarbone during state championships, the co-captain would’ve given her good arm to be out there on the field on Saturday but was forced to watch in despair from the sideline.
The team will pick themselves up this weekend with their round 6 home game against a relatively unknown University of Queensland side. A new team to the competition, UQ are rumoured to have in excess of 40 registered players, most of whom are new to the game. The match at O’Callaghan Park at 2pm on Sunday will give the Eagles a chance to get back to basics and practice the structures that made them so successful throughout the first 4 games of the season.
*Photos from rounds 1-5 graciously provided by Jill Foreman
Team Match Stats
Yeronga South Brisbane
Goal kickers: A. Smith (7), M. Sutherland (2), J. Croft, A. O’Keeffe, J. Zanchetta, C. Collins
Best players: M. Sutherland, D. Clanton, R. Milne, A. Smith, E. Bates, J. Zanchetta
Zillmere Eagles
Goal kickers: M. Allen (2), S. Webb, K. Hudson
Best players: B. Weaver, J. Kelly, Y. Jones, S. Webb, K. Lennon, T. Harris
Last Modified on 22/05/2013 09:26