THE Mallee Eagles have ramped up their pressure on the top five clubs, with an impressive 42-point win over Lake Boga helping them sit just two points outside a finals berth.
The Eagles led from start to finish, but it could easily have been a far different story if not for the Magpies’ inaccuracy in front of goal, squandering shot after shot to register 4.13 for the afternoon.
The home side made the most of their opportunities in the 12.7 (79) to 4.13 (37) win.
In their past three games, the Eagles have two wins and an impressive 43-all draw with reigning premiers Kerang.
Eagles co-coach Harry Allen was pleased with the manner in which his team responded when challenged.
“It was a good win, they (Lake Boga) played a pretty good brand of footy and are a very young side and have a fair bit of speed, but it was pleasing that we were finally accurate in front of goal and took our chances,” Allen said.
“It was one of those games, they (Lake Boga) probably aren’t one of the top teams in the competition just yet, but they are still capable of playing some great footy and we were pretty conscious of that.
“We’re still a work in progress ourselves and we have got no right to think that we’re going to rock up and just roll anybody, but to play a good four-quarter game and play a good brand of footy was pretty pleasing.
“Our inside work was pretty good, Jai (Middleton) was a huge inclusion for us and showed his class and helped our onballers and that was probably the difference, just with our inside contested work.
“At the start of the day we said their effort was always going to be there, they’re a young side and have plenty of run and so we knew we needed to match them with effort, but we thought our skill level would then probably take over.
“We still had our moments in terms of giving them back the ball, but at the end of the day we’re quite a mature side and that was probably the key in the end.”
While inaccuracy in front of goal was perhaps the key factor in his team’s defeat, Lake Boga coach Dean Helmers was still pleased with his team’s effort against a potential finals contender.
“Scoreboard aside, we’re extremely happy with our performance, it was a very even contest except they (Mallee Eagles) capitalised on their opportunities and we didn’t,” Helmers said.
“There were times they pulled the trigger forward of centre and hit Hourigan lace out and all we could do is just appreciate how good it was.
“But on the flip side, and again scoreboard aside, I think our guys outplayed them for big periods of the game, but we just couldn’t put it on the scoreboard.
“We were probably a key defender and key forward away from giving them a scare, but hopefully (Josh) Wills and (David) Gourdis are back this week against Swan Hill.”
Hourigan certainly proved to be the key player on the ground, the Eagles forward dominating in attack and finishing with six goals.
Harry Allen was another Eagle who produced a strong performance in the midfield, along with Brent Macleod, Beau Bennett and Billy O’Meara, while Jayden Post continued his good form in a return to defence.
For Lake Boga, midfielder Brodie Tonkin was again among their better players, along with William Doquile, Fraser Colville, Marty Parsons, Rory Colville and young forward Koben Ryan.
SCORES
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final Score |
| Mallee Eagles | 3.0 | 5.4 | 9.5 | 12.7 | 79 |
| Lake Boga | 0.3 | 1.6 | 3.11 | 4.13 | 37 |
VOTES
3 – Darcy Hourigan (Mallee Eagles)
2 – Brent Macleod (Mallee Eagles)
1 – Harry Allen (Mallee Eagles)
