THE Mallee Eagles have finished off the season in strong fashion, defeating Tyntynder by 49 points as they now suit up for their 2025 finals campaign.
The 10.1 (61) to 16.14 (110) score showcases that the Eagles, despite having some injury setbacks coming into the match, are still a dangerous side to deal with.
The siren was sounded to begin the final game of the season for Tyntynder, as the sun was beaming down on the Alan Garden Reserve.
It was a rather interesting first quarter, the Mallee Eagles were in front by nine points at the end of the first quarter, but the Bulldogs gave the Eagles a solid run for their money.
Elia Ware, as per usual he was the main danger man in the forward line, already kicking in his first two goals of the contest, with one where he managed to get boot to ball while being tackled in front of goal late in the first quarter.
Ware would go on to kick five goals, tied with Darcy Hourigan for most goals for the afternoon.
Mallee took control of the second quarter kicking six goals while only allowing Tyntynder to one goal only as the lead was built up to 42 points at half-time.
Central Murray’s leading goal kicker Darcy Hourigan was leading the charge for the Eagles, but Shaun Harrison who returned to the side for the first-time last week was also playing a big part of the contest, kicking a goal already along with getting the ball down the forward line as well.
An interesting stat for the Bulldogs at least, it was the first time since round two where they had a 100 per cent accuracy rate in front of goal, even more impressive when in round two they only kicked two goals in the first half while in this contest they kicked four straight goals.
In the third quarter, it was a back-and-forth type of contest both sides would bag in three goals each, but the Eagles still held firm on the lead, now in front of the Bulldogs by 45 points with one more quarter to be played out.
The final quarter would almost be a replica of the third, both sides kicking three goals each, but the Mallee Eagles still built their lead up to 49 points as the final siren was sounded, bringing the 2025 season to a close.
After the contest, Mallee Eagles coach Harry Allen was rather pleased on the performance, citing the win that the Eagles had much more depth in class.
“It was a good contest coming into finals, we didn’t expect anything less from these guys, they have held their own against some quality opposition,” Allen said.
“I think the end result was a good reflection as to where both sides are at, we obviously had a bit more depth in class, but the Bulldogs had plenty of opportunities to score and they took it.
“I’m happy with the way our group played, we have been giving some guys a chance to play a role for the side.
“The past few weeks we have been doing just enough to get through to next week, we still want to get the job done, don’t get me wrong, but we are more just looking at the bigger picture which is the qualifying final next week.
Harry Allen had plenty of praise for Shaun Harrison, who ended the contest with two goals kicked, a solid contest for him that ended him in the best players list.
“He was good, he returned to the side last week after missing almost every game since round one,” Allen said.
“He is just one of those players that we know what he is capable of doing, but couldn’t play due to injury.
“He featured in the twos a couple of times in the month leading up to last week, it’s just a bonus for us to have him back, we weren’t sure whether we would get him back in time for finals.
“But to see what he has done in the past two weeks and feature in the best players list is exciting to see, especially as we didn’t see him in action for 14 straight games.”
With the qualifying final coming up this weekend against Cohuna, Allen was asked what the preparation was looking like for that upcoming contest.
“Nothing has changed for us, people would say that it’s just another game, but it’s not, there is a lot more at stake, a lot more drama and build up,” Allen said.
“But in terms of workload it will still be the same for us, but maybe the intensity will be dropped back slightly.
“We played Cohuna a few weeks ago, I think both sides were just rehearsing for what’s to come next week.
“As finals usually are, it’s going to be on neutral surface, but with a number of boys coming back for us, it’s going to be a case on the best team on the day will win the contest, so that is what we are looking at achieving.”
SCORES
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Final Score |
| Tyntynder | 3.0 | 4.0 | 7.1 | 10.1 | 61 |
| Mallee Eagles | 4.3 | 10.6 | 13.10 | 16.14 | 110 |
VOTES
3 – Darcy Hourigan (Mallee Eagles)
2 – Elia Ware (Tyntynder)
1 – Shane Harrison (Mallee Eagles)
