Eagles crush wounded Dons

The Collie Eagles were never challenged as they cruised to a 19.6 (120) to 7.5 (47) victory over Donnybrook at VC Mitchell Park on Sunday.

Missing reigning Hayward Medallist Jeff Smith and influential key defender Chris Sheehan, the Dons were no match for a Collie team much closer to full strength than in previous away fixtures this season.

By contrast, Donnybrook had four colts on debut and the difference in experience showed as the visitors took advantage of a consistent stream of mental lapses to kick eight goals to one in the first quarter.

After adding five majors to take his season tally to 21, Eagles forward Tony Mirabella must be considered one of the pick-ups of the offseason.

Mirabella, who was named in the forward pocket of the 2013 Neapen Football League team of the year, kicked four of his goals in the opening term as Collie exploited the acres of open space in their forward 50 to build an imposing 41 point lead at the first break.

The Dons mounted a brief comeback in the second quarter, highlighted by a long goal from Joel Parker which was well shepherded by debutant Jackson Chalker, before Collie recovered to kick the final three majors of the term to lead 11.2 (68) to 3.2 (20) at halftime.

The pain continued in the third quarter for the Dons, Eagles tall man Alex Tweedie the destroyer in chief as he kicked three consecutive goals in a three minute period to put the result well and truly beyond doubt.

To their credit, the home side showed heart in the final term to prevent the game from blowing out completely with Donnybrook recruit Simon Parry completing an outstanding individual performance with a long range major in the closing minutes.

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Scoreboard

Collie Eagles 8.1 11.2 17.4 19.6 120 def Donnybrook 1.1 3.2 6.3 7.5 47

Goals:

COLLIE – T. Mirabella 5, A. Tweedie 4, M. Michael, C. Cross, C. Griggs 2, B. Whelan, A. Seebers, L. Kinsella, T. Cleggett.

DONS – C. Guglielamana, R. Cross 2, L. Dale, J. Parker, H. King.

Best:

COLLIE – C.Griggs, B. Whelan, A. Tweedie, T. Mirabella, T. Cleggett, M. Michael.

DONS – S. Parry, R. Cross, J.Brennan, M. Kokir, H. King, J. Parker.