Youthful Eagles lay marker for the future

WANDERERS laid the foundations for a big 2019-20 NTFL campaign when they beat a disappointing Palmerston by 44 points last night.

The young Eagles booted three goals to one in the first quarter and were never headed as they flew to a 16.12 (108) to 9.10 (64) win.

First-year coach Peter Leonard was pleased with his players’ attitude and will to win on a night when avoiding the wooden spoon meant a lot to the club.

“You want to end the season on a good note and we’ve done that and built something for next year,’’ he told the Sunday Territorian.

“It was a good result for the club all round. Our kids are developing very quickly and they were very good again tonight.

“But we had some good experience out there as well and that topped things off.’’

Ronald Fejo through the middle and around the ground was a colossus for Wanderers, setting up forward moves and kicking a last quarter goal to put the seal on his best game at Premier League level.

Joel Jeffrey continues to impress with his poise and vision in front of goals, four more last night confirming his status as one of the favourites for the league’s Rising Star award.

The Magpies again got maximum value from ruckman Matt Dennis, who lived up to his nickname the “Monument’’ with a dominant performance at centre bounces and around the ground.

But Palmerston can be pleased with a season that produced seven wins and a real chance of finals football a month out from the playoffs.