Eagles Soar to Maiden AFL Title
East Coast Eagles Soar finally uncorked the champagne after winning their maiden AFL Sydney’s Premier Women’s Division crown in style.
The Eagles had come agonisingly close in 2019, once losing by a mere point to Macquarie University. Last year, they were unstoppable on the field with a 10-0 record when the COVID-19 lockdown saw the competition abandoned.
This time, however, the Manly Warringah Wolves, were unable to clip the wings of the high-flying Eagles who soared to a 6.5 (41) to 2.11 (23) victory in the recent grand final at Henson Park, Marrickville.
It was sweet revenge for the Eagles who had suffered two defeats in the league rounds to the Wolves. They did not allow the Wolves to get close in this low-scoring but thrilling final, putting on a dominant performance from the start. It caps a superb season for the East Coast Eagles having topped the table with just four losses.
The Eagles were cleaner with the ball and executed a number of significant defensive plays, including an epic tackle from Erin Naden at half forward to stop a certain Manly goal
There were more celebrations when East Coast Eagles standout, Bryany Parker, was judged best afield, receiving the Deb Rogers Trophy.
Player/coach Renee Tomkins who had predicted before the grand final that her team had the attacking options to kick a winning score if they defended well, was one of the anchors in the defence.
The Kellyville outfit were never headed after taking a hard-fought 2.2 (14) to 0.2 (2) lead in the first quarter. A fine piece of work by Erin Naden saw her score the Eagles first goal after eight minutes of lapsed time. The Eagles stretched their lead in the second quarter to 3.5 (23) – 0.7 (7), with their steely defence keeping the Wolves from scoring a goal. It was 5.5 (35) to the Eagles at the end of the third quarter as their harassed rivals finally scored two goals. Some fine work by the winners kept the Wolves scoreless in the fourth quarter with the Eagles adding one more goal as the celebrations started in the stands.
RESULT
East Coast Eagles 6.5 (41) beat Manly Warringah Wolves 2.11.23. Goalkickers for Eagles: R. McGartland 2, M. Finch, A. Martin, L. Mundell, E. Naden. Best for Eagles: B. Parker, E. Naden, R. Tomkins, S. Burns, C. Arndt, N. Gray.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][us_image image=”69377″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
