THE Mallee Eagles moved into the Central Murray top five on Saturday after defeating a gallant Tyntynder combination by eight points in a very entertaining match.
A large crowd was at Lalbert Recreation Reserve to see the home side run away with a 12.12 (84) to 11.10 (76) victory.
Both sides had to make a number of changes to their sides due to injury and unavailability, with the Eagles going into the game without midfielder Beau Bennett and defender Wes Bennett, while Tyntynder were without key defender Cayden Crowe and onballer Solomon McKay.
Tyntynder kicked the first goal when Zac Denham ran off half-back to find Matt King in the midfield, who in turn spotted up Jayden Magro, enabling him to kick a lovely left foot running goal.
The Eagles responded quickly, however, with co-coaches in Harry Allen and Brent Macleod taking control of the contested footy in the slippery conditions, which resulted in a flurry of Eagles goals.
Darcy Hourigan, Andrew McDonald, Troy Anderson and Brett Thomas were able to find space between the two big sticks to blow the Eagles lead out to 25 points going into time-on. However, great diving mark and goal to Tyntynder full forward Jason Eagle brought the margin back to 19 points at the first change.
The second quarter was a more even contest, with both sides booting three goals for the term.
The half-back lines seemed to get on top with Harry McGreggor, Matt Despott and Jayden Post continually repelling the Dogs’ forward thrusts on goal, while at the other end it was Elliot Broad, Isaiah Bull and Harry Simpson who held firm in defence.
The Eagles suffered a couple of injuries late in this stanza, when Despott left the arena with a hamstring injury and with big man Jai Middleton restricted with a lower leg injury, the Eagles coaching hierarchy seemed relieved when the half time siren sounded, enabling them the chance to regroup despite holding a 21-point lead.
The third term would be all Tyntynder, as their players lifted across the ground.
Onballer Roy George, who had been quiet by his standards, started to get his hands on the Sherrin and in turn put the Eagles under pressure in the midfield.
He received great support from Elia Ware, Matthew King, Matthew Gillbee, Simpson and Magro.
Two goals apiece to George and Eagle, along with a lovely running goal to Denham, meant the Doggies hit the front by eight points going into time on, much to the dismay of Mallee Eagles supporters.
A brilliant check side goal by Billy O’Meara hard pressed on the boundary line on the siren meant that the Doggies lead had been cut back to just two points at the last change.
Big crowds surrounded each of the huddles as both coaches gave their last instructions to their players with the knowledge that the game was now truly in the balance.
The last quarter was a beauty, as players sacrificed their bodies in contested situations as the game went up to a new level. Macleod, Allen, Troy Anderson and Middleton, who had returned to the ground, lifted their work rate significantly, with Macleod fast becoming in contention for best on ground honours.
Macleod’s work ethic had to be seen to be believed, as he worked methodically in pack situations to give the Eagles first use of the ball.
Hourigan got off the chain kicking, three great goals for the term to enable him to kick six majors for the day in a stellar display up forward.
The Doggies played some great football too with Broad, Simpson, King and Gillbee giving their all, resulting in goals to Magro and George, but with Harry McGregor repelling beautifully in defence, the Dogs just couldn’t get their noses in front.
SCORES
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final Score |
| MALLEE EAGLES | 5.2 | 8.4 | 9.7 | 12.12 | 84 |
| TYNTYNDER | 2.1 | 4.7 | 9.9 | 11.10 | 76 |
VOTES
3 – Brent Macleod (Mallee Eagles)
2 – Darcy Hourigan (Mallee Eagles)
1 – Harry McGreggor (Mallee Eagles)
