THE Mallee Eagles finished their season in style with a 66-point win over Koondrook-Barham at home on Saturday.
The Eagles went into the match knowing that a win was essential – along with losses to Lake Boga and Balranald – in order to leapfrog their way into the top five.
While the latter didn’t occur, the home side still held up their end of the bargain, with a strong four-quarter display against the rebuilding Raiders.
With a mid-season spate of injuries derailing the team’s season, the result was a pleasing way to end a difficult year for Mallee Eagles assistant coach Harry Allen, who made mention of the development of the club’s depth during the previous three months as a big contributing factor in Saturday’s win.
“As we spoke about internally, we didn’t even look towards what could be – it was more about just trying to enjoy what could be the last game of the season and play a good four quarter brand of footy and I thought we did that,” Allen said.
“If we won, which we did, and the other results went our way, then we’d front up in week one of finals, but we weren’t too fazed, to be honest – we were just wanting to finish the season off on a high.
“We were proud of the whole group all year, but particularly (Saturday). A lot of the young guys who have been in and out of the side because of personnel reasons played really well and had a really strong finish to the season, which was really promising.
“Just to finish the season off with a win gives us a little bit of a kick ahead of next year.”
Andrew McDonald went forward for the home side in the absence of full forward Sam Dunstan, who received a four-week suspension during the week, and McDonald led the way with five goals for the game.
Toby Sheahan returned to his best for the Eagles in a clear best-on-ground performance, while Ayden Tessari in defence continued his strong finish to the season, along with youngster Hamish McGregor, Ethan Pinchen, Beau Bennett and Bailey Talbot.
While the Eagles’ top-end players all performed, Allen said that it was not only their younger members of the team that proved to be the difference, but the way in which their side was able to move the ball that earned them the four points.
“I thought our fundamental kicking in regards to just being able to hit those short 25-30 metre kicks inboard was spot on. I thought we did that well, which brought our transition game and our run and carry game to the fore.
“The midfield battle was pretty even, but our back line was tremendous – our bottom six players, the young guys, really stood up and that was probably the difference in the end.”
For Koondrook-Barham, Jordan Iudica was again the shining light in the middle of the ground, with his class around the contests a constant highlight on an otherwise bleak day for the Raiders.
Big men Max Baldissera and Owen Uaongo were also solid contributors for the visitors, along with Colin McVeigh, Jordan Maney and youngster Lachlan Laursen.
VOTES
3 Votes Toby Sheahan (Mallee Eagle)
2 Votes Ayden Tessari (Mallee Eagles)
1 Vote Jordan Iudica (Koondrook-Barham)
MATCH RESULTS
MALLEE EAGLES 3.4 8.8 10.14 18.15.123
KOONDROOK-BARHAM 3.0 4.0 6.0 9.3.57
GOALS – MALLEE EAGLES – Andrew McDonald 5, Darcy McGregor 3, Ethan Pinchen, Jack Shannahan 2, Harry Allen, Clinton Cummins, Mardy McDonald, Hamish McGregor, Zac O’Meara, Toby Sheahan 1.
KOONDROOK-BARHAM – Jordan Bassett, Colin McVeigh 2, Patrick Goble, Joshua McMahon, Jack Shannon, Kade Watts, Benjamin Miller 1.
BEST – MALLEE EAGLES – Toby Sheahan, Ayden Tessari, Hamish McGregor, Ethan Pinchen, Bailey Talbot, Beau Bennett.
KOONDROOK-BARHAM – Max Baldissera, Jordan Iudica, Owen Uaongo, Colin McVeigh, Lachlan Laursen, Jordan Maney.
