Sloppy Eagles progress
A WAYWARD Wanderers have lifted after a lacklustre first quarter to do enough to push Southern Districts aside in the NTFL Premier League men’s elimination final by two straight kicks.
The Eagles should have shut the gate in a dominant third term at TIO Stadium but failed to find the knockout punch.
It was all Crocs in the first quarter, the black, red and white brigade entering its forward 50 almost at will as the Wanderers’ wounds were self-inflicted – gifting goals to Dylan Barry and Frazer Driscoll through some defensive work described post-match by Eagles coach Aaron Motlop as “sloppy”.
Driscoll enjoyed a particularly dominant start, finding a running Luke Smith by hand for his first of three six-pointers.
Apart from an exciting dash between the arcs by Lloyd Johnston, a Marlon Motlop-less Wanderers struggled to get the game on its terms.
A late major through a free kick to Keenan Smith- Thompson was the footballing definition of crucial.
Aaron Motlop may have given his charges a bake at quarter-time as the roles were reserved in the second stanza.
Jerome Motlop was taken to the goalsquare, the recipient of a pair of 50m penalties after copping a brainless push on the wing.
The Eagles produced their best quarter of the game when it counted in the third, defending hard across the ground.
It was Districts’ turn to show some ill-discipline, giving away several 50m penalties as Darren Shillabeer’s snap stunted any thoughts of a Crocs comeback.
Smith’s soccer kick off the ground cut the margin to just 13 points, but just like the Eagles up forward, Districts burned their chances to draw closer.
Michael Bowden’s faltering set shot from about 25m out felt like the Crocs’ final chance to steal victory.
After the game, Eagles coach Aaron Stokes said his charges were far more accountable after a “sloppy” first quarter, declaring his defence “magnificent”.
“We just weren’t playing our style of footy,” he said of Wanderers’ opening quarter.
“Unfortunately that’s a little bit ingrained into Wanderers footy … some sloppy efforts.
“You can’t be trying to run your own show (in finals but) they responded.”