Injuries hurt Ellinbank
A raft of injuries caught up with Ellinbank as ladder leader Nyora maintained their unbeaten status with a comfortable win, 13-8 (86) to 6-7 (43).
The long weekend general bye comes at a good time for the Eagles, who were forced to field a young side in the face of injury to some of its top forwards.
Speaking at the sponsors and life member’s lunch pre-match, Wragg acknowledged the current injury crisis but said he was confident the club had a strong list that would challenge at the back end of the season.
Wragg himself took place in the forward line heavily restricted with a sore left quad and led from the front strongly.
Promising youngster Lachlan Hedrick made his senior debut and Wragg kicked the first as the Eagles maintained optimism they could match it with the ladder leaders, the win over Catani the week prior no doubt adding some confidence.
But there would be little bright spots for the Eagles from that point as the Saints took advantage and were simply too strong.
Iian Osman positioned well in front to mark and goal to equalise as the Saints began to take control. Osman would be a key player in the Saints fortunes, booting six of his sides’ first 10 goals to win best afield honours.
Jesse Heylen hit up Ryan Spooner on the lead for the Saints’ second before Osman was back in the action again, his snap from centre half forward true.
Ben Schultz joined the party, taking a strong mark over the top to kick the first of this three goals as the Saints opened up a 17-point lead at the first change.
Osman was on the board again early in the second term.
Schultz, who is now wearing the number 60 after having his number 21 torn to shreds in a recent fracas with Longwarry defender Ken Towt, also got back into the action running into space and taking advantage of a wellweighted kick.
A long goal extended the lead before some relief for the Eagles, rolling home their second major.
A long kick into the forward line allowed Osman to run into an open goal for the immediate reply.
A strong contested mark to set up Wragg for his second continued a period of Ellinbank fight, only for the Saints to register their ninth major on the stroke of half time.
An arm wrestle ensued in the third term as the Eagles set about maintaining some respect, launching a long goal in response to respond to an early goal to the Saints.
Surprisingly it was Ellinbank who kicked consecutive majors against the run of play.
A snap from the middle for a centre clearance to Tim Leicester set up the Eagles’ fourth before a twisting and turning Tim Mashado converted from the half forward flank to inspire some confidence.
A long goal for Nyora’s 12th threatened to break Ellinbank’s spirit, but the Eagles continued to play with pride as Hedrick played a key role in setting up a rolling goal.
But it was to be the Saints’ day, Anthony Galley presenting on the lead and going short to Schultz, who snuck in a goal on the stroke of full time.