The Collie Eagles Football Club league side has secured its fifth win in six matches with a 24-point victory over Augusta-Margaret River Hawks at home on Saturday afternoon.
Collie Eagles club president Ash Stewart delivered an address to players, coaches and the crowd about Belt-Up round followed by a 30-second silence before the match.
Winning the toss, Eagles captain Matt Blackford chose to kick to the town end of Collie Recreation Ground.
The team maintained possession and moved through the midfield early on, contending with the overcast conditions.
Joel Houghton’s first goal got the Eagles off to a promising start, with him and Jayce Fontana delivering on their opportunities in the forward 50.
Both teams were met with bumps and slinging tackles, while the Hawks struggled to break through Collie’s tough defensive line.
Collie kicked multiple opportunities through the point posts, before goals from Blair Malatesta and Adam Bignell extended their lead to 3.5.23 to 0.1.1 at quarter time.
At quarter time, Collie coach Clint Swallow told his side to not let the Hawks get short, cheap kicks and to take their opportunities throughout the match.
As a light shower turned into a downpour, both sides struggled to land tackles during the second quarter.
AMR’s Mitchell Gerrans kicked the quarter and his side’s first goal to put the Hawks back in contention.
The Eagles and Augusta-Margaret River missed key opportunities close to goal and gave away their share of free kicks.
The Hawks kept Collie goalless in the second term, with Cameron Melvin slotting through the Hawks second just before half time.
Ahead 3.10.28 to 2.3.15 at the main break, Swallow urged his side to always take the best option and lift across the line.
Meanwhile, Hawks coach Matt Jamieson pushed players to make for inside 50 opportunities and finish off on the scoreboard.
The Eagles kicked off the third quarter as aggressively as they did the first.
Both teams were impacted by the slippery conditions, resorting to short kicks and handballs to maintain possession.
the low-scoring quarter saw players run the ball over the boundary line or kick out on the full.
Houghton kicked the term’s only goal to hold a 4.14.38 to 2.4.16 lead to the Eagles at three-quarter time.
Jamieson reinforced that it was a controlled quarter and they had won the ball around the contest.
Malatesta ran the ball through to Houghton, who then kicked to Fontana inside 50, straight after the fourth quarter’s opening bouncedown.
After hitting the goal posts, Fontana slotted his second set shot of the quarter through to extend the lead to 28.
Bolstered by Mitchell Lynn and Max Paterson, the Hawks rallied to increase their chances on goal.
Hawks Gerrans and Jake Rodgers helped to close the gap, before Eagle Mark Williams’ set shot put the game out of reach.
Collie’s Jack Davidson, given a free kick, kicked through the posts after the siren to clinch a 7.15.57 to 4.9.33 scoreline at full time.
Eagle Kyle Shanahan received the Belt Up match ball in front of the crowd and was cheered on by both teams.
Collie faces off against Busselton at Bovell Park in round seven next weekend while the Hawks will take on Harvey Bulls away.
Collie now sits on top of the SWFL 2017 ladder with Augusta-Margaret River sitting eighth after round six.
Goals: Joel Houghton (2), Adam Bignell (1), Jack Davidson (1), Jayce Fontana (1), Blair Malatesta (1), Mark Williams (1).
Best on Ground: Perry Francis (6), Travis Cleggett (5), Mathew Michael (4), Liam Kinsella (3), Teke Vernon (2), Kyle Shanahan (1).
