THE Mallee Eagles continued their unbeaten start to the season, but the big story was again the performance of their new spearhead, Sam Dunstan, who kicked 10 goals in another powerhouse display.
Dunstan now leads the Central Murray goal kicking table with 25 goals from three matches as he tore apart a lacklustre Nyah-Nyah West in his team’s dominant 86-point win.
The Eagles led from start to finish and were never challenged by the Demons – with the visitors extending their lead at every break to eventually record a comfortable 21.9.135 to 7.7.49 win.
Dunstan was well held by Demons stopper Alex Erlandson in the first quarter, however was able to get off the chain after quarter time, with the Eagles splitting the game open with a five goal to none second term.
NNW United’s pressure around the contest was what kept them in the game over those opening 30 minutes – but when their pressure dropped off, the Mallee Eagles midfield took over.
Beau Bennett was at his consistent best, while Darcy McGregor and Brady Fordham worked hard through the middle of the ground in the absence of Harry Allen. The difference in the midfield battle was in the ruck, according to Eagles coach Brent Sheahan, with Angus McKenzie dominating the air for the full four quarters.
“He (McKenzie) had a huge game in the ruck for us and really helped us get on top in the clearances and around the midfield – the game sort of flowed from there but he was probably the most influential player on the ground for mine,” Sheahan said.
The other player – with the exception of Dunstan – who had great influence on the contest was Zac O’Meara, with the young Eagle relishing his new role across half back according to Sheahan.
“His run and carry was impeccable and he was also able to take quite a few intercept marks for us across half back which was why we’re trying him there,” Sheahan said.
“We know we’re pretty potent up forward at the moment and we just thought we’d try him as that intercept defender down back, which is a role that he’s really taken a liking to.”
For the Demons, Zac Caccaviello and Brady Davidson worked hard through the middle, while Jaydyn Stirling was again influential with his ball use. Blake Larkings was another who performed well for the Demons, despite McKenzie clearly winning the ruck battle.
The task for NNW United doesn’t get any easier, with the Demons looking to break through for their first win of the season against Lake Boga this Saturday – while the Mallee Eagles will be looking to keep their unbeaten run in tact when they host Woorinen in a rematch of the 2019 Grand Final.
VOTES
3 – Angus McKenzie (Mallee Eagles)
2 – Sam Dunstan (Mallee Eagles)
1 – Zac O’Meara (Mallee Eagles)
NNW UNITED 3.0 3.4 6.5 7.7.49
MALLEE EAGLES 4.2 9.4 16.7 21.9.135
GOALS
NNW UNITED – Brent Arho 2, Jarrod Skinner 2, Adrian Knee, Oliver Boulton, Cooper Charles 1.
MALLEE EAGLES – Sam Dunstan 10, Andrew McDonald 3, Ethan Pinchen 3, Harry McGregor 2, Jake Foster, Toby Sheahan, Ayden Tessari 1.
BEST PLAYERS
NNW UNITED – Blake Larkings, Zachary Caccaviello, Jaydyn Stirling, Brady Davidson, Joseph Violi, Jarrod Skinner
MALLEE EAGLES – Beau Bennett, Angus McKenzie, Zac O’Meara, Sam Dunstan, Andrew McDonald, Jake Foster
