19s
Slippery conditions out at Whittlesea didn't bother our under 19s early on. Sam Billinge kicked three goals in a dominant first quarter to give us a two goal lead at the first break.
The longer the game went, the heavier the ball became. Dew and mud littered the game with poor skills and turnovers from both Whittelsea and our boys, but it seemed no one told Sam Billinge or Brandon Brown about the conditions because both key forwards plucked marks as if it were a completely dry day. The two worked well together all day and had seven goals between them at half time to give us a comfortable lead.
A third quarter onslaught put the game beyond doubt despite Whittelsea throwing everything they had at our boys.
Despite a disappointing final quarter in which the hosts kicked four goals to nothing, our 19s came away 6 goal winners.
Sam Billinge and Brandon Brown were huge, while Cam Simpson was good again.
Reserves
You wouldn't know our reserves had just come off a massive win against flag fancies the week prior to this week's match against Whittelsea based on the sloppy start to the game. Conditions didn't help but Robbie Chadwicks goal was one of very few highlights in a poor first half. As rain began to fall and conditions got worse the Eagles started to dictate play and took a two goal lead at half time.
We had our chances in the third after peppering the goals constantly but Whittelsea held the ascendancy at the final change.
A goal within the first few minutes of the last quarter gave us a huge sniff, but eventually time ran out and Whittlesea handed us a disappointing loss.
Both Chadwick brothers were big contributors, while Jesse Harris and Mick Naldrett battled hard all day in the midfield.
Seniors
Loky Boscarini dominated early in the game from half back, but the winless Eagles shocked our seniors in the first quarter to take a slender seven point lead.
A clinical coast to coast goal as well as a huge lift from Luke Svarc injected life into our boys in the second. We were getting on top in all areas of the game when we had a 27-23 lead, but it was short lived. Poor decisions and disposal efficiency took their toll and we trailed yet again at the main break.
Whittlesea dictated play and controlled the middle of the ground for much of the third quarter. After being locked at 47 a piece for close to a third of the quarter, the hosts broke the deadlock and kicked two injurious goals which gave them a two goal buffer.
Despite a late charge with goals to Mannon Johnston in the dying minutes, Whittelsea were rewarded for their second half dominance and sealed a 14 point victory.
Bronik Davies was enormous once again in the guts and Bosca had one of his best games.