Round 1 in the book.

As mentioned above Spalding complete a huge turnaround to take the points in the grand final rematch. Both teams were missing key players but Horse Simpson played his first pre Christmas game in many years. No doubt both teams will be around the mark come finals.

Orroroo proved they are going to be ultra competitive this year with a real comfortable victory over Pekina. The Roos chased down a competitive 166 with 7 overs to spare and 8 wickets in the shed. Would be truly shocked if Orroroo didn't make the finals. Pekina looked to field a pretty strong side with 3 of the Bowmans playing. If they have that side each week they could push a finals spot.

Burra started life after Boh Wall with a comfortable 9 wicket win over Wilmington/Melrose, chasing down 121 in only 16 overs. Schupper turned back the clock hitting 66. Looking at the names listed we might see another year of Wilmington almost having two different sides a home one and an away one.

Booleroo won by 5 wickets chasing down 99 against Bundaleer. Booleroo were missing a few key names from last year so will be very happy with the win. Could be wrong but hard to see these two sides not making up the bottom two positions on the ladder.

Thanks for comprehensive update! Keep up the good work, from an old Booleroo boy!

Photo of every player on a can plus the coach. Great promotion and fundraising idea by the Eags and another joyful reminder of the day!

They were selling them at the Royal but were about $130 a carton!

They selling them there still mate? Wedgie
They were a couple of days ago as I overheard one of the staff saying how hard it is to sell at that price.

$140 a Carton actually.
Went to the Royal about a week ago and they only had 6 cartons left, all were the Team cans.
Initial run was 50 cartons I believe and may now be available from the Club.
Even West End will taste good coming out a Back to Back can like that !

Worth every cent! Bought mine from the Royal Sat and they had nearly sold out. Club advertising them also. Worth every cent and happy to support the club.

Crows too big and physically strong for an undersized Eagles. O'Brien way too good for this level. Eagles needing Redden back ASAP.

Best performance of the year by the Eags, a full 4 quarter effort. We perform better at unley than any other ground in the league, including our own!
Many good players today, Knight obviously stood out but Sinor and Clarke (best game for the club) were also excellent. Redden will be better for the run under his substantial belt. Litster continues to impress in his first season and Lehmann blanketed Davis well. Duval proving to be an excellent addition in defence. Thought sturts possession game, especially in defence, was risky given the conditions and led to a few turnovers.

Erik Carrington's disappointing year at Adelaide has seen him return to West Torrens. Hopefully he has learnt from the experience and has come back a more mature player.

Eagles playing away from home a positive. Haven't lost a game away all year but at home we have lost 4!

PatowalongaPirate wrote:

another grub wrote:Who got the votes yesterday?

Snook easily BOG at Glenelg.

Snook deserved 6 votes yesterday!

[list=][/list]TheEags haven't won a first quarter since Round 8 v sturt and the trend continued yesterday. We are continually playing catch up footy which is tough against the better sides. Gl used the conditions much better in the first half and that, combined with more desire by Gl helped to have the game over at half time. To make the finals now will be one of Sheed's biggest challenges in his time at the Eags. I have faith in the coach and the players to get themselves out of this rut starting this weekend.

Strut leave the door open for the Eags by losing to South. Expecting a much better display after last week's effort.. Be nice to win a first quarter for a change, get confidence and momentum and not be playing catch up from the start.

A much better effort last night, especially in the second quarter when we moved the ball more fluently. Redden dominant, especially in the last quarter and Rowlands another good run with job in the middle. Much better balanced with Ballenden in the side and Sinor was a huge in. Unlikely to make finals but good to see more commitment and intent after 3 tough weeks.

Was at Torrens training Thurs night, running the show as usual.

Nothing to add about the last couple rounds prior?

What's to add??

Hags was at Henley on Saturday coaching the firsts, the side performed well, winning on the first innings already. Afternoon tea was delicious as usual and a delightful appearance by two past premiership players in Leigh Drennan and Ryan Gibson made for a tickety boo day over all. We move on and look forward finishing the year in a strong position with Hags coaching us to hopefully another finals series.

Funding an issue?
Funding of $1.5m all secured. Problem is with the builder who is apparently 'dragging the chain', much to the club's chagrin.
Apparently the new rooms will be 'state of the art' with split levels, unlike the existing single level arrangement. Men and women's teams both catered for.

Grandstand changeroom renovations at Oval Ave unlikely to be completed by end of the season so will probably open start of 2024 season.
In the interim, the Eagles will use the Percy Fox Stand changerooms (presently the opposition change rooms) and opposition teams will use temporary change rooms stationed between the 2 existing grandstands. Not a dissimilar situation when renos were happening at Norwood and Elizabeth ovals.

Eagles back to their 2020/2021 form playing with intensity and speed of ball movement. Rowe's quick hands were outstanding and Mitch Hardie has got better each season he has been here, culminating in his best performance for the club on Friday. A good blend of youth and experience at present with some key players still to come back. We will be in trouble though, if too many big men go down as there is little depth in that department.
South will be another excellent test this week.

Gritty win by the Eags. Our pressure on the ball carrier was a highlight and there were passages of play ( 10 min patch in second quarter) where we moved the ball with speed, skill and efficiency. The backline was terrific today, ably led by Luke Thompson with capable support from Lehmann and Beecken. Special mention to the inexperienced Josh Bruce who held Grace (normally one of Centrals best forward in my opinion) to only 5 touches and no goals.
Sinor, an inspirational captain's game, especially with an unusually quiet Jimmy Rowe (playing under duress with illness or injury??) not figuring as much as usual. Brinker-Richie looks a real find in the ruck, tapping beautifully against a credible opponent in McCormack. Hopefully his knee injury is not serious.
The test now is for the team to continue this improvement after the break with hopefully Knight, Goldy and D Menzel putting themselves up for selection.

Forgot to mention Adam D'Aloia, another youngster blooded by Sheeds. His strength, toughness and 1 %ers were invaluable around the ball.

Nothing better than a 'backs to the wall' win as underdog in tough conditions. I thought the Eags were terrific for the first 3 quarters, the defence especially being tough and resilient against a much taller opposition. Beecken is back to his best as is Lehmann and Buck, Litster and Studham were desperate. Menzel, after being written off by some contributors showed his class and leadership. He is a must in the best Eagles team when fit. Would like to see more from Ballenden, Collier-Dawkins and Williams though.
Three in a row for the Eags and they are looking more connected and in sync than earlier in the season. The defensive aspect has been a major improvement, with the last 3 wins keeping the opposition to an average of 47 points.
Narkle too good for SANFL level on that display and Jonas will struggle to get back into the AFL side on his form today.

A more committed showing this week by the Eagles who were valiant but got over-run in the last quarter. Pleasing showing from youngsters Buck, Williams, D B-R, Beecken, Litster and Mawson who has nice disposal skills. Missed the experience of Knight, Toumpas, Lehmann and Mitch Hardie is proving to be a very hard gap to fill. Ballenden was good in conditions that didn't necessarily suit him.

Fair effort by the Eagles for 3 quarters but dismantled in the third. Increased pressure by north resulted in skill errors going forward and the resultant turnovers often cost goals. Rowe by far our best. Looked like a game between the 6th and 7th ranked sides. Younger players are getting games into them which will be beneficial in years to come. Herbert looks likely and Dawkins did some useful defensive actions. D'Aloia continues to impress.

First Eagles win against the Bays since the 2021 G F triumph. There was more run and a bit of daring in the Eagles game and whilst it caused turn overs at times, it did allow us to score more freely, along with , I suspect, a bit below par Bays performance. The youngsters are showing some real promise and 'Herbie" Herbert had a terrific second half along with D'Aloia who will be a long term Eagles player. Rowe and Sinor showed magnificent leadership.
I believe most players have signed on for 2024 which is pleasing.

Didn't see the game but disappointing the Eags couldn't send off Sheeds with a win. West are no longer easy beats and have shown a lot more resilience this year. Lonergan's retirement predictable. A valuable component of our back to back premierships and often under estimated in his impact on games.

Another outstanding win by West Torrens. Harrity's finals winning record is phenomenal. Hunt and Buckingham set up the win taking 4 early wickets. Glenelg thereafter were always under pressure to get a defendable score. Torrens seem to have the wood over Glenelg in finals and there must be a few mental demons around the Bays playing West Torrens, with the Eagles winning the last 4 grand Finals they have played against Glenelg. Harry Neilsen had his best innings since returning to the club and it couldn't have come at a more fitting time.
A rare chance at the Triple Crown is now in the Eagles hands, only performed once before, by West Torrens in 2016/17. Two decisive 2-day games await. Torrens will need to do it without Sean Hunt and Patrick Brown who both return to England next Sunday/Monday. Also, reliable all-rounder Dan Fallins is highly unlikely to play due to work commitments. A test of the Eagles depth.