In-form Eagles soar to the top
NEWTOWN & Chilwell coach Damien McMahon believes there is “no doubt” his side has already improved on last year, just a fortnight into the 2019 season.
The Eagles marched to the top of the ladder following a thumping 27.24 (186) to 3.9 (27) victory over Lara — their percentage sitting at 344.44 after also starting their year with a comfortable win over Geelong West last weekend.
“I think we’ve been really strong. No doubt we have improved on last year,” McMahon said.
“We’re in a healthy position. We’ve got a fit and strong list at the moment so we’re in a position to hopefully keep progressing like we have in the last couple of weeks.
“Any game you win with a scoreline like that it’s hard to be disappointed, that’s for sure.”
Boom recruit Doug Palmer booted a big bag of eight goals in the 159-point beating, after arriving to the club with 141 goals in his past three seasons alone with Central Murray league side Woorinen.
Palmer has been one of six debutants blooded by McMahon in the first two rounds, with fellow recruits Brayden Helyar, Jack Lang and ex-Falcon Baxter Mensch (son of former Geelong player David Mensch) turning out for the first time on Saturday.
“Some of our new recruits are starting to find their feet and get their rhythm and style,” McMahon said.
“It’s going to take a bit of time — we’ve got some new players in some important positions, but it’s good to see them having an impact.
“It puts us in a good position for St Mary’s in a couple of weeks. We thought we would probably be in a position to be 2-0 at this stage of the season going into that game, and they’ll be our biggest challenge in our first three-game block.”
For Lara, Tom Hancock (two goals) was the lone multiple goal kicker, with Jordan Stone adjudged their best, while Alex Cincotta and Blake Sutterby were the other key contributors for the Eagles at Elderslie Reserve. SOUTH Barwon was a dominant 99-point winner over Grovedale, 22.11 (143) to 6.8 (44), to retain to John Nankervis Shield.
Forward duo Andrew Boseley (eight goals) and Louis Herbert (five) were standouts in the victory at Burdoo Reserve.
A five-goal-to-none opening term was the perfect start for the 2-0 Swans, before a seven-goal second quarter put the game out of reach in an impressive performance for last year’s finalist. ST JOSEPH’S kept Geelong West to just three goals, romping a 122-point win at Drew Reserve.
The 21.19 (145) to 3.5 (23) victory was led by Lucas Anderson’s five goals, with the reigning premier boasting 10 individual goal kickers in another balanced team performance.
Riley Ferguson was everywhere through the midfield for Joeys to continue his brilliant start to the season after an equally good performance against St Mary’s last week.
Lochie Huppatz was best for the winless Giants. COLAC held off a fast-finishing St Albans at Gordon Tafe Oval to win 13.9 (87) to 8.15 (63). The vastly improved Supersaints pressed hard in the final quarter, kicking 3.6 to ensure the result wasn’t a stroll for Colac.
Luke Hillman, Tyler Murnane and Jake McGuane all kicked two goals for the Tigers, who were best served by Travis Woodmason and Ryan Monaghan. Damon Hemphill was the lone multiple goalkicker for St Albans. LEOPOLD handed North Shore a triple-figure defeat in a result that could kickstart the Lions’ season. The 19.15 (129) to 4.2 (26) win was led by fivegoal hauls from Lucas Boyd and Brandon Howarth in the big victory at Windsor Park.
Ruckman Trent West was best on ground for the Lions, as the Seagulls managed just four goals for the afternoon.
Paddy Cleary and recruit Nick Dixon were manful for the Seagulls.