The East Coast Eagles travelled out to Olds Park to take on the St. George Dragons for round 2 of the Sydney AFL 2010. On a hot day and in conditions more suited to playing football in the outback of Australia, the Eagles got off to a solid start kicking five goals to one in the first quarter.
The conditions were taking a toll with the Eagles losing four players for the game due to injuries sustained in the first quarter. Glenn Garner was injured in the warm up and had to be replaced in the selected side by Darren Chapman. Kieran McRedmond injured his hamstring early, Mike Beardsley limped off with a groin injury and big Anthony Stubbs received a nasty kick to his shin leaving the Eagles with only one on the bench for the remaining three quarters.
Shrugging off the early injuries, the Eagles jumped out of the blocks in the second quarter and piled on seven goals to two to take a handy 52-point lead into half-time. Peter Dugmore playing against his old side was dominant up forward and had kicked 5 goals to half time. Ryan Silvester was gaining plenty of possessions on the half forward line and Stephen O’Connor playing in the Ruck, was providing first opportunity to his onballers and proved to be more than a handy target when he went forward.
The Eagles came out from the half-time break and were a little slow to impact the scoreboard after the Dragons had tightened up around the ground. Jon Vlatko and Shane Ryan were providing great drive from the middle however the ball was quickly being rebounded down to the Dragons forward line. The Eagles were under pressure however the two Bens - Bourke and Physick - were holding firm and not giving their opponents any space to move. If it wasn’t for these two the Dragons may have reduced the margin. Peter Dugmore and Jamie Vlatko up forward were continuing to provide problems for the Dragons with the dynamic duo kicking 11 goals between them by the three quarter time break. The Eagles won the third quarter, kicking four goals to three and taking a 61-point lead into the final break.
The final quarter was very similar to the third quarter with the ball rebounding from end to end with the Eagles kicking another four goals to two for the quarter.
The final scores read East Coast Eagles 20.17 (137) to St.George 9.6 (60) and coach Glenn Garner was reasonably satisfied with the 77-point victory, but saw plenty of room for improvement.
Ryan Silvester in only his second game for the club was best afield with a fine performance at Half Forward Flank. The players’ player, Peter Dugmore, was dangerous all day kicking seven goals against his former side. Stephen O’Connor played arguably his best game for the Eagles in the Ruck also kicking two goals. Jon Vlatko and Shane Ryan were dominant in the midfield and Ben Bourke and Ben Physick were very solid down back.
Next week the Seniors take on Sydney University in a Friday night game at Blacktown Olympic Park in what is sure to be the match of the round.
