Football
THE Collie Eagles year 7 team began the second half of their season with a determined effort against HBL Pride away from home.
The team played well and was gallant in defeat but allowed HBL to snatch victory by seven points in the final minutes of the game.
Both teams were evenly matched after finishing a draw in their previous encounter earlier in the season.
Coincidentally, this game evolved in similar circumstances with Collie taking the lead early and HBL Pride forced to play catch up before over running Collie late in the fourth quarter to steal the points.
Rory Atherton continues to improve in the ruck and played his best game for the season using his size to advantage. Austin Kent was very influential in the forward line with several goals to his name and created many attacking moves with his run and attack on the ball.
Midfielder Kieran Escott delivered the ball superbly to the forward line with clean possession out of the centre, allowing Sam Salmeri to capitalise with three goals.
Bailey Edwards, Leath Lynn and the tenacious Jackson Pike worked hard defensively to apply pressure to the HBL Pride forwards, while Lyrric Poata, Liam Shepherd and Wylie Green worked tirelessly for their team over four quarters.
Rory Bebbington, Tyrus Armour and Dannye Jones were fine contributors in many great passages of play for the young Eagles team who is beginning to link well as a team and play their positions more effectively.
HBL Pride seized upon a winning opportunity late in the game, when the match was in the balance, winning 13.4 (82) to 11.9 (75) inflicting a painful loss to the young Eagles.
The Eagles travel to Hay Park this Saturday to tackle the Bunbury Bulldogs who are sitting in third position just ahead of the fourth placed Collie Eagles. The ladder is tight in this division so the young Eagles need to bounce back and play their best football to win this contest and ensure they are involved in finals action at the end of the season.