THE Mallee Eagles have returned to the top three on the Central Murray ladder following a 13-point win over Nyah-Nyah West United on Saturday, in what is shaping as a potential qualifying final preview.
The Eagles are two points clear of Woorinen in third with a game in hand, while the Demons’ loss all but guaranteed Kerang will finish minor premiers for the third straight season.
The Mallee Eagles’ work either side of half-time did the damage, the home side booting eight goals to three in the second and third terms to open a 24-point lead at three-quarter-time.
Although NNW United would fight back, it wasn’t enough for the previous ladder leaders, who succumbed 12.13 (85) to 10.12 (72).
It was a welcome return to form for the Lalbert-based club, who suffered a humiliating 79-point loss to the Cohuna Kangas seven days earlier.
Mallee Eagles co-coach Harry Allen was happy with his players’ response.
“Internally we weren’t too worried,” Allen said.
“Clearly, the result from the week before wasn’t what we were after, but Cohuna are playing some really good footy and we knew that last week was a bit of an outlier.
“By the same token, we knew we had to respond and clearly against the ladder leaders, it was the perfect opportunity to do just that.
“We got back to what’s been working for us for most of the year, it was a pretty good performance and gets us back into the top three which is where everyone wants to try and finish.
“Our last quarter was a little bit disappointing, we held them off for a little while and milked the clock for a bit before they got a bit of a run on, but they gained the momentum late and kicked a couple of quick ones.
“They can score really quickly when they are up and going, but I thought we controlled the play pretty well for the most part.
“It would have been nice to finish off a bit stronger than we did, but by the same token they are a good side and you’re never going to have it your way for the whole quarter.”
Although both teams went into the match missing several stars, the loss of defenders Joel Walsh and Campbell Everitt hit the Demons hard, with Darcy Hourigan kicking four goals for the Eagles.
At the other end of the ground, NNW United key forward Brandyn Grenfell had very little impact, booting just one goal for the match as Joe Halloran wore the league’s leading goalkicker like a glove.
“The contested ball for us was a big winner and we managed, for the most part, to get the game played on our terms,” Allen said.
“I thought we got on top out of the middle and the other big factor was our key pillars.
“Paul Davis was our best player as that high centre half-forward and Jayden Post wasn’t far behind him in terms of his intercepting.
“Joe Halloran was another one who was huge for us, he kept Grenfell to one goal and not many players have been able to stop him for a while.
“Our height was a bit of an advantage I felt, we obviously have a bit of inside talent as well, but our pillars were the ones that were the difference.
“The first quarter, (NNW United) were trying to switch it to the fat side every chance they could and tried to outrun us, but as soon as we cleaned that area up and they were forced to go down the line, they couldn’t compete with our big guys in the air.
“They still had periods where they were dangerous though, and their run and carry was good, we know if you give them the room they will open you up.”
Dom Gallo was one of the better players for the Demons, along with Oliver Boulton, Max Thompson, Blake Larkings, Mitchell Grinham and Darcy Butler, while the Eagles were well served by Liam Drummond, Brent Macleod and Clinton Cummins, along with Davis, Post and Halloran.
SCORES
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final Score |
| Mallee Eagles | 2.4 | 7.7 | 10.10 | 12.13 | 85 |
| NNW United | 3.3 | 5.8 | 6.10 | 10.12 | 72 |
VOTES
3 – Paul Davis (Mallee Eagles)
2 – Jayden Post (Mallee Eagles)
1 – Dom Gallo (NNW United)
