THE Mallee Eagles fired on all cylinders with an important win over Tooleybuc Manangatang on Saturday.
The Eagles got on top in the first half as light rain fell, with a slight breeze away from the clubrooms.
The Eagles were on from the start in the 11.11 (77) to 9.9 (63) win, with only a third-term lapse of concentration giving the visitors a look in at Lalbert.
Tooleybuc Manangatang looked on early, with Narbie Kelly bursting out of the middle for the first centre clearance.
And when the minor score led to a Marty Kelly kick-out that was marked by Ryan O’Sullivan – quickly returning the Saints back inside 50m – the visitors had seen a couple of early chances.
But the Eagles then settled down and registered the first goal through Marty Kelly, before the Saints opened their account thanks to lively recruit Corey Kelly.
But while the sides were not far apart on the scoreboard, the Eagles’ desperation in the contest was a key factor all day with the Saints still adjusting to life under new coach Brad Morris.
Rob Horler laid a great tackle on centre wing on Saint Narbie Kelly, winning the ball and sending his side forward with an eventual goal to Nathaniel Kendell in a passage of play that emphasised the home side’s credentials.
Caine Hillier snapped a clever goal for the Eagles, before Andrew Gill converted to give the Eagles some breathing space.
Corey Kelly — who finished with three to be the Saints’ leading goal scorer — and Josh Stone got among the action to add majors as the Saints booted three in a row to get back into the game.
Hillier then excited home fans with a one-step goal from outside 50m, before another late major saw the Eagles take a three-goal lead into the first break.
Jack Morris managed a major for the Saints midway through the second, but it would be the visitors’ only goal for the term.
The second stanza was vital to the result, with the home side defending stoutly against the wind.
Three goals, to Kendell (two) and Marty Kelly saw the visitors well on top, with mids David Comben and Josh Bibby among those working hard for the home side.
The work of ruck Warren Carlyle was also vital for the Eagles, with the big man getting on top in the centre contest with O’Sullivan and helping the Eagles to win centre clearances and first use of the ball out of the middle during the first half.
The skies cleared and the wind dropped after halftime, with the Saints getting back into the match.
Goals to Corey Kelly and Darcy Spinks put the visitors within reach, with the home side failing to produce a major in the third term.
The 19-point lead was doable for the Saints, but Brad Morris’ side would have to improve significantly in the last term to win.
The Saints recorded the first goal of the last, but Hillier soon restored the three-goal lead with a major for the Eagles.
Narbie Kelly goaled at the 25-minute mark of the last term to get the Saints within three goals, but it was too little too late.
With the exception of a quiet third term, the Eagles were pretty pleasing all day.
The win justifies a sense that the Eagles have improved in 2015 and could compete for a spot in the finals.
The Saints still have some work to do, but plenty of sides will struggle at Lalbert this season.
Mallee Eagles have the bye next week before traveling to Cohuna, while Tooleybuc Manangatang plays the Kangas next week.
For more on this weekend’s footy see Monday’s edition of The Guardian (May 11, 2015).
