Telstra Store West Lakes Reserves Round 9 Match Report

Eagles 10.7 (67) def by Central District 18.12 (120)
Goal Scorers: Lewis 2, Westbrook 2, Weidemann, Redden X, Morgan, Michael, Jungfer, Williams
Best Players: West, Lewis, Westbrook, Cook, Haylock, Weidemann

Facing Central Districts on their home ground, it was a chance for us to turn the half way mark on top of the ladder and give ourselves a really good platform to launch into the back half of the season. We were playing 3 first gamers into the squad which was fantastic reward for those guys as they had been playing great footy in the under 18’s program and for Henley.

We started off the game with some real intent able to win our fair share of the contested footy and we looked dangerous as the ball went inside 50. On the other end of the ground we were not able to curb the opposition scoring ability as they were able to hit the scoreboard 6 times from 8 inside 50’s.

The second quarter seemed to offer much of the first quarter as once again our ruckman gave us first use but it was our efficiency and method of ball movement inside 50 which allowed opposition to turn over the ball and attack. As a team we held strong and took a 3-point lead into half time.

Coming into the second half was about us being able to make the right decisions by hand or foot. Unfortunately, the boys left all their good work of the first half in the changerooms. Central’s played a direct, team orientated brand of footy and as a team we were not able to make effective tackles or be clean with the football when it was in our area and Central ended up running comfortable 53-point winners.

What I do know of these young men they will do everything possible to make a right of last week’s performance starting on the training track. We come up against a side we have not beaten in the reserves for 2 years so we look forward to the challenge that lies ahead of us.

Vinnie Rugolo
Reserves Coach