Eagles do it easy against Bloods
by
ELLINBANK continued its strong run of form that has seen it emerge as an Ellinbank District contender, comfortably accounting for a Trafalgar side that is still a little off competing with the leading teams.
Aside from a run of four goals either side of the quarter time break, reducing the margin to 12-points and giving the Bloods some hope, it was the Eagles who controlled much of the contest on the way to winning 15-9 (99) to 5-6 (36).
Despite some big outs in Ben Wragg and Thomas Johnston, who is set for an extended period on the sidelines with a broken foot, Ellinbank continued its dominant form to open proceedings with the first six goals.
The Eagles displayed good ball movement despite the greasy conditions, moving the ball from half back to eventually see Liam Lisle gather from the back of the contest for the opening goal.
Ashley Scott finished a big mark before Nicholas Pratt dribbled one through in ominous signs early.
Gaige White set up Shaun Phelan for a set shot before Ryan Atherton continued the sublime passing into the forward 50, Anthony Battista on the receiving end.
Battista was in the action again soon after, cutting off a defensive exit to set up Keegan Bott for a running goal.
Six goals down and needing a response, Jayden Thomas snapped inside to find Matthew Swenson on the line for a much-needed goal.
Key forward Damien Mann added another, the key target playing a game while down from Queensland town Ballina.
He would sneak another through at the resumption before Matthew Devon roved the pack to soccer through a goal to put the
Bloods back into the contest.
Blake Radford, Bailey Webb, Jamie Hines, Josh Moore, Jace Butler and Hardy Kenny among the better players during Trafalgar's four goal spurt.
Unfortunately for Trafalgar, a Devon special late in the third term would be their only joy for the remainder of the contest as Ellinbank took control, putting through nine of the next 10.
Phelan dribbled one through against the run of play and the Eagles took the momentum from there, the leading goal kicker snapping from the top of the goal square to re-establish the quarter time buffer.
He would add another early in the third term, collecting the ball at the back of the pack in some hard luck for the Trafalgar defence.
Phelan continued as the hot hand, this time beneficiary of a pinpoint pass from Logan Joyce.
Not to be outdone by his sibling, Bryce Joyce produced a great goal from the boundary to extend the advantage.
Devon responded with a strong overhead mark, running around his defender to slot the goal from just inside 50.
But when Battista responded with a long goal of his own, the margin was back out to 41-points and the result effectively in the keeping of the home side.
With Rylan Smith giving drive from defence, the Eagles would finish with the final three goals despite Trafalgar's attempts at resistance, the visitor not helped by some injuries.
Liam Lisle found Logan Joyce as he matched Bryce's tally, before Michael Urie went himself after noticing Phelan well covered.
Phelan swooped on another loose ball for his sixth to put the icing on the cake.