Australian Football

Match Report

The third match of the weekend finds us heading down Port Road to the Alberton Oval for the Battle of the Birds between the Magpies and the Eagles. The two games last season were won by the respective home sides, with the Eagles winning at Oval Avenue in Round 8 by 39 points, then the Magpies at their nest by 41 points in Round 16. But as mentioned before, controversy surrounded this contest with the Magpies team fully taken by AFL-listed players and demoting their captain.

Many thought the Eagles were in for a battle to end all battles after thus far taking down everything put in front of them. But in a low-scoring affair it didn't seem to trouble the Eagles, who kicked three goals to the Magpies' 1.2 to lead by 10 points at quarter-time. Some inaccuracy by the Eagles in the second term stopped them fully building upon their lead, the Magpies unable to bridge the gap which was two goals by the half-time siren, the Eagles scoring 2.5 to 2.3. From here, for the Eagles it was all about keeping the 'Pies at arms length and that's exactly what they did. At the last change, the Eagles would lead by 19 points on the back of a 2.2 to 1.1 third term. The Magpies were probably wishing they didn't omit their leader in the end, even the coach said they missed his presence as they eventually went down by 21 points, the Eagles adding 2.3 to Port's 2.1 in the final term. 

Jared Petrenko was named best for the Eagles, the Magpies named Aaron Young as their best afield.