Football: Boomers bound to 10th win

Eaton Boomers overcame a scare from a wasteful Collie Eagles to advance their undefeated record to 10 with a hard-fought 35-point victory at Collie Recreation Ground on Sunday.

In ideal conditions for football, intense pressure led to skill errors as both teams hunted the ball like their lives depended on it.

The final margin was not a true indication of the tightness of the contest, with the Boomers kicking the first four goals and the last four to record a 10.15 (75) to 3.16 (34) win.

The trend was set from the start, with the Eagles having two unsuccessful scoring opportunities before the Boomers could blink.

The home team was soon made to pay, with hardnut Josh Bowe slotting the first and big man Rohan Lilly booting two.

Collie’s only goal came through Matt Michael.

Josh Branchi and livewire Gino Catalano kicked the first two goals of the second term, with the Eagles’ accuracy malaise continuing in the face of resolute defence from Will Oelsnik, Jayme Osiejak, William Barnes and Matt Scott.

Two inspirational goals from Adam Bignall and Travis Cleggett either side of half-time pulled the Eagles back within 10 points midway through the third quarter.

Eaton responded, but the inaccuracy bug spread as it kicked nine consecutive behinds until Lilly stopped the rot early in the last.

Leigh Kelly, who was soundly beaten by star Eagles’ defender Michael Roney, took a pack mark for his only goal, Branchi snapped his second and Lilly booted a fourth.

Brendan Page was the best big man on the ground, while Eagle Paul Rinder held his own.

Collie defender Aaron King held Jacob Ferrier goalless, although he did kick six behinds.

Collie was without Paul Lindsay, Shannon Cox, Daniel Graham, Corey Griggs, Brent Whelan and Matt Burek, while Blair Malatesta and Brendan Shanahan were both dropped.

Eaton was also below full strength, with Jace Cormack, and Kieran Butcher missing.

Scoreboard

Eaton Boomers 4.2 6.4 6.11 10.15 75 def Collie Eagles 1.6 2.10 3.14 4.16 40

Goals:

EATON BOOMERS – R. Lilly 4, J. Branchi 2, J. Bowe, M. Battaglia, G. Catalano, L. Kelly.

COLLIE EAGLES – M. Michael, A. Bignall, T. Cleggett, A, Tweedie.

Best:

EATON BOOMERS – R. Lilly, W. Oelsnik, J. Bowe, G. Catalano, J. Osiejak, B. Page, W. Barnes, M. Scott.

COLLIE EAGLES – M. Roney, A. King, T. Cleggett, D. Cowan, T. Michael, K. Shanahan, P. Rinder.