Reserves – Round 5 Match Report

Eagles 14.4 (88) def by Central District 15.7 (97)
Goal Scorers: Weidemann 4, West 3, Moore 3, Comitogianni, Firns, Davis, Armfield
Best Players: Comitogianni, Weidemann, Gaffney, Firns, West J

We came up against the top side on the weekend at Maughan Thiem Kia Oval and all our planning had been around they were a very balanced side across the field that were tough inside at the contest.

As a coach the standard set early in the game by both sides was outstanding with tough one on one contests around the ground allowing the players to utilise their craft to win the contest. Quarter time ended with scores level and the message was to continue crack in at the contest and get numbers to support.

We kicked off the 2nd quarter skipping out to a 3 goal lead half way through the quarter, due to our mids winning their share of the contest and our defenders rebounding anything that came forward for Central. As all good teams do central found a way to get back into the game late in the quarter to go into half time level.

Central showed why they were top of the ladder and undefeated in the 3rd quarter by increasing the pressure around the ball carrier and punishing us on turnover to skip away to a 5 goal lead.

At 3 quarter time I just asked the boys for a bit of composure and knew we had to take the game on if we were to have a chance. To their credit they drove hard at the contest and moved the ball fluently to finish the match full of running but just short going down by 8 points.

Ultimately its 20 minutes of football which has allowed the top team to run away with the game. The side needs to have some game awareness and find a way to break even which we will work on this week at training. We look forward to putting together 4 solid quarters next week at the Bay.

Vinnie Rugolo
Reserves Coach