Reserves Grand Final Match Report

Eagles 9.10 (64) def by Norwood 13.5 (83)
Goal Scorers: Morgan 3, Pickett 2, Westbrook, McNeil, Coff, Mead
Best Players: J Gaffney, C Gaffney, Wehr, Schoenberg, McNeil, Heinjus

To be playing on Grand Final day at Adelaide Oval is a massive thrill and experience. The learnings for the 21 that hit the field, will hold them in a good position for the rest of their careers as it gives them a understanding of what it takes to be the best.

Unfortunately, we were not good enough on the day against a very sharp Norwood side. We jumped out of the blocks with the first 2 goals of the game but it was our inability to maintain a consistent effort that ultimately meant we would leave too much to do for the last quarter.

The thing that I am proud of this group is the resilience to lose a final and bounce back to make a Grand Final. Things also didn’t look great 10 minutes in the last as Norwood hit a 37-point lead. Instead of going into our shell we showed some real strong body language to play our best football of the day but it was ultimately too little too late.

I would like to thank all our supporters that came on the weekend to support the boys and to all 50 players that played in the reserves team through the year that got us to that final day.

It is now up to these young men to use the burn of a lost Grand Final to drive them to improve as individuals and as a collective. They will go away and have some rest but it is a big preseason for this group ahead as they will all strive to be consistent League footballers.

Vinnie Rugolo
Reserves Head Coach