By Tylan Collins
THE Mallee Eagles produced a remarkable four quarter performance to deny favourites Kerang the 2024 Central Murray reserves premiership with a strong 30-point win.
The Eagles started off the contest well by putting pressure on the Blues and making them pay for their mistakes by kicking three goals in the opening quarter, while restricting Kerang to one solitary behind by the end of the first quarter.
Kerang’s coach reminded his boys to stay calm as there were still three quarters to go in the contest, and he wanted them to stay on their man and stay in position.
The Blues were able to control the ball better in the second quarter, but they failed to hit the scoreboard, instead only managing to slow the Eagles down as the contest ended with Kerang trailing by 21 points at the main break.
Mallee Eagles playing coach Nick Miller wanted his boys to really punish the Blues by kicking two or three more goals for security.
In the third quarter, Kerang starting to drag themselves back into the contest, finally getting their first goal on the scoreboard, before adding two more goals to head into the final quarter just 15 points in arrears and within sight of a dramatic last quarter comeback.
Miller addressed his players for the final time this season, imploring his team to finish full of running and put Kerang to the sword in the final quarter.
That was exactly what the Mallee Eagles did, storming away from Kerang and not allowing them a chance on the offensive side as they did in the first quarter, with the Mallee Eagles securing the premiership 8.8 (56) to 3.8 (26).
An elated Miller believed the win came down to his team having the numbers
“I had a few boys miss out today because of all the numbers that were available,” Miller said post-match.
The Mallee Eagles applied pressure to Kerang all afternoon, with Miller quick to praise his team for the effort.
“Yeah, we gave them (Kerang) absolutely nothing today.” Miller said
“If we kept the ball close, the contest close, we knew our runners would be able to run away with the ball.”
Nathan Bisset was selected as the best on ground winner, but Miller was quick to point out that it was a team effort and that there were no individual players that were key to the win.
“No player was bigger or better than any other player in the club,” Miller said
“I think it was the work ethic from the 22 boys I had that was key to the win today.”
