Round 8
With North Delta forfeiting the round 8 clash against the Burnaby Eagles it was decided that a 16 a side game was to be held between the Eagles & an All-Star line up of players from all BC Football Clubs.
It was the Eagles who looked understandably flat in the first quarter. They then suffered an early injury to Sam Bufalino and some un-sportsman like behaviour from All-Stars coach Stuart Grills. With a slight breeze going towards the All-Stars goals it was the All-Stars who lead at the first change by 12 points.
With a complete change in attitude in the 2nd quarter the Eagles came out a different side. Justin Connie & Brad Romano lead the way in the first few seconds with a strong tackle and a hard attack on the ball respectively. Then Che Pritchard won his own ball in the back half and continued to push deep into the forward line sprinting 100 metres. With many of the All-Star backline trying to cover Pritchard it was left to Dale Wakefield to lace out a pass to the ageing full forward in Chris Freeman. Freeman then from the boundary kicked his first of 3 for the quarter.
From then the Eagles were able to pile on 5 more goals for the quarter. Luke McKerrow was working hard at half forward and with Joel Kirk doing all the one percenters through the middle the Eagles were able to go into the half time break with a 3 goal lead.
In the third quarter it was more of the same from the Eagles with everyone playing their role with aplomb. Captain Dale Handley had the backline running like a smooth machine with Steve Harper, Peter Taylor, Shane Burgess & first gamer Phil LeBeau consistently running to support each other and halting any attacks from the All-Stars. Even against a slight breeze the defence were as stingy as ever not relinquishing a goal for the quarter. This in-turn allowed wingman Scott Gregory to run riot setting up numerous highlights for the mid-field and forward line. None better than Brad Romano’s goal with a snap over his head followed by Steve Gibson’s first goal for the club. Lex Perry then took a hanger over 3 defenders on the wing however the quarter was soured again by some un-sportsman like behaviour by coach Stuart Grills claiming he touched the ball that was clearly Stephen Wolfe’s 3rd goal for the game.
With the Eagles leading by 7 goals heading into the last quarter it was strange to see the All-Stars coach flooding his backline for the entire 4th quarter. This move again enabled the Eagles defence and midfield to run amok sending the ball into the Eagles forward line time and time again. The highlight reel continued in this quarter with Pritchard putting through another magical snap on his left. Then newcomer to the game Adam Sadler who was put on his back just moments earlier, got straight back up and took a huge mark at Centre Half Forward. Then from 40 metres out he went back and kicked truly for his first goal in football.
After a slow start the Eagles finally ran out winners by 11 goals. Huge thanks goes to Evan Ozirny and Mark Goff who put on the All-Stars guernsey for the day.
Next weeks game against the Saints will be followed by the biggest night of the year; The Ladies Night! With more than 100 tickets already sold and many stories about the night 2 years ago, it will be one not to be missed.
