A 10-goal haul from Mallee Eagles full forward Darcy Hourigan has given his team the perfect springboard into their qualifying final against NNW United, as the Eagles got an early look at this Saturday’s venue in a dominant 111-point win over Lake Boga.
The Eagles were never troubled after a competitive opening quarter, booting 16 goals to two in the second and third terms on their way to a commanding 25.12 (162) to 7.9 (51) victory.
Despite the emphatic performance, the news wasn’t all good for the third-placed Mallee side, who will start their finals campaign without key defender Jayden Post, who suffered a hamstring strain during the win and will be out until preliminary final weekend at the earliest.
It was a frustrating end to an otherwise perfect day for Eagles co-coach Harry Allen, who welcomed back Brent Macleod, Zac O’Meara, Brady Fordham and Shaun Harrison to the line-up.
“We used it as our last dress rehearsal and had a pretty strong side in (compared to) recent weeks,” Allen said.
“We still have a couple to come back in, Matt Despott and Jai Middleton both missed and they are both in our best 22.
“We’ll get them back next week, but ‘Posty’ (Jayden Post) hurt his hamstring. We’re hopeful of getting him back in a couple of weeks, but by the same token our back line plays very similar and we think we can cover him.
“Zac O’Meara got through the game, as did Brady Fordham, and they were both back playing the quality footy we know they can play, which will hold us in good stead and help cover the loss of ‘Posty’ in the back half.”
Despite the final margin, Lake Boga’s opening quarter showed they were up for the fight, with veterans Aaron and Jayden Lonergan playing their 400th and 300th senior career games on the same day.
“I was really impressed with the Eagles, the first quarter was some of the best footy I’ve seen this season from both sides,” Lake Boga coach Dean Helmers said.
“The second quarter turned pretty ugly, very quickly for our boys, however.
“We were beaten convincingly out of the middle and their bigger bodies were just too much for our boys to handle in the end.”
The Eagles dominated on the inside thanks to the likes of Macleod, Beau Bennett and Allen, with Kieren Bourke working tirelessly in the ruck all afternoon.
David Gourdis did a large amount of ruck work against Bourke’s bigger frame and was one of the Magpies’ key contributors, with the key forward also kicking three goals for the game.
Although the Eagles contested ability gave them a clear advantage, their ability to move the ball on the outside continued to be a work in progress.
Allen was confident his team was ready to produce on the big stage over the coming weeks.
“Our ball movement was good and our contested work was always going to be pretty competitive,” Allen said.
“It was more the way we moved the footy, we really tried to focus on what we’ll need to do well throughout the finals in trying to shift the press and get the ball to the fat side and move it that way.
“Having the likes of Zac O’Meara back and streaming off the half-back line helps, and Brady Fordham is the same.
“You can forget what they bring to the team with that style of play sometimes and they made a big difference on Saturday.
“Our inside work, not only just through the midfield but also up forward, was really good.
“When our forward line is on their pressure is really good and that sort of flows through the whole team.
“We may not have the quickest team in terms of leg speed, but the ball moves faster when you’re kicking it rather than when you’re running with it.
“In finals, you’re playing against the best sides and they obviously have their strengths as well, but it was a good dress rehearsal and we can’t wait, we’re just looking forward to getting into it now.”
Lake Boga were well served by Zac Warne, who has had a tremendous first season back at his home club, along with Nick Taylor, Marty Parsons, Willem Pye, Gourdis and Aaron Lonergan.
SCORES
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final Score |
| Lake Boga | 1.3 | 2.5 | 3.7 | 7.9 | 51 |
| Mallee Eagles | 3.3 | 11.7 | 19.10 | 25.12 | 162 |
VOTES
3 – Darcy Hourigan (Mallee Eagles)
2 – Clinton Cummins (Mallee Eagles)
1 – Shaun Harrison (Mallee Eagles)
