The East Coast Eagles have started season 2009 with a 37-point win over defending premiers Pennant Hills.

Due to the closure of Pennant Hills’ ground on Friday, the game was changed to Bruce Purser Reserve and it was a great way to start on the Eagles’ new home territory. This is hopefully what will happen all year when visiting teams venture to Bruce Purser. Happy when they arrive and play on the great facility, but sorry when going home, because the Eagles have turned BPR into a fortress.

East Coast led all day and had it not been for some inaccurate kicking in the first half, the result could have been greater. It was a pleasing display for the Eagles and one that would have pleased the coaching staff because there still looks to be improvement in the new look side with four players making their debut.

Gus Seebeck led the way up front with seven goals and was ably assisted by Andrew Polkinghorne with three. Brad Ure was a tower of strength in the middle with his pressure and attack on the ball, whilst Damien Bowles continues to get better with every game in an Eagle jumper.

The final scoreboard read East Coast 13.12 (90) to Pennant Hills 8.5 (53).

The team now looks forward to the first ever home game at Bruce Purser Reserve when the Eagles take on North Shore on Saturday, April 18 under lights. It promises to be a great occasion and we hope all in the shire can get down to watch what is an historic game in the club’s short history.

The Reserves (or now known as our Division One team), who are aiming for four premierships in a row, never got going against arch rivals Pennant Hills. They fell behind early and could not bridge the gap at any stage, going down by two goals.

Darren Chapman was always dangerous up front and kicked three goals. Nathan Laing, Josh Shephard and Jared Madden were also solid contributors throughout the day.

The Demons ran out winners by 11.9 (75) to 9.9 (63).

The Premier Cup Under 18 team started the day off in style with a emphatic victory, which could have been far greater if they had kicked straight. The final score read the Eagles 9.17 (71) to the Demons 5.4 (34).

Coach Peter Steer would have been very happy with the pressure and tough football displayed by the team first up and once the kicking boots get working, there is much to look forward to in 2009.

Sam Pinchen and Trent Monaghan led the way for the Eagles.

The Challenge Cup Under 18 team led early but could not sustain the effort for the full four quarters and went down to the Southern Power by 59 points. Ben Gray and Stuart Tibben were two who gave 100% all day.

The newly formed Division Two team struggled in their first game, but it great to see the depth in the club with so many players unavailable in round one, that we can still put a team on the paddock that tried hard all day and showed the true Eagles’ spirit. Once players filter back into the top two grades this team will only get stronger. It was a tough start to the year for Coach Sean Streat, but a great step forward for the club.

Ben Hynes and Steven Roberts were two that led the way.

As said before, we now look forward to April 18 when all East Coast teams have their first home games at Bruce Purser Reserve. We are calling on everyone in the Hills area to come down and have a look.

The action kicks off at 11am and will continue through until 9.30pm. This day has been a long time in the making and it will be an historic and rewarding one for many people who have put in many years of hard work for this day to arrive.

See you all at Bruce Purser Reserve at the corner of Commercial and Withers Road at Rouse Hill on Saturday, April 18.