A very entertaining game..and a real struggle to the end, witnessed by what I believe was a disappointing crowd.
Eagles cleaner, more direct ball use is what eventually got them over the line. Focal points up forward in Wundke and Ainger were very damaging and a constant threat; mind you they would want to be for what they are being paid.
South dominated the first half and went in at halftime with a 3-4 goal lead. Eddy had 5.0 at halftime. Souths third quarter was abysmal, when they failed to kick a goal, despite having a fair share of the ball. The third quarter the Eagles took control and seemed to have huge numbers back to clog up Eddys space, I seem to recall him competing alone against 5 at one stage.
South were perhaps a little inconvenienced during the game in that by 1/4 time they were down to 19 fit players when Makepeace (knee) and Dale (shoulder) left the ground to serious injuries. The news got worse in the second quarter when at the 20 minute mark Mcmahon was stretchered from the ground with a serious knee injury ,reducing South to 18 fit men.before halftime. During the last quarter Ah Chee suffering from cramp was shifted to full forward, and Cross had to exit the ground with the Blood rule for a few minutes- with no replacement available- down to 17. South somehow hit the front at the 20 minute mark and led by 8 pts at one stage only to see a mark in the goalsquare to Rankine not paid, the Hybrids quickly rebounded and kicked the next 3 goals to take the match.
I thought the umpiring was atrocious...
Im bloody disappointed, but definitely not disillusioned.