Football: Eagles go to six wins in a row

The Collie Eagles claimed their sixth consecutive win when they held off Busselton in damp conditions to win by 13 points.

Eagle Alex Tweedie made the game his own with a six-goal haul in the 9.6 (60) to 6.11 (47) triumph.

The burly utility booted Collie’s only goal in the second half — a crucial steadier midway through the final term when the game was in the balance.

A third quarter downpour at the Collie Recreation Ground ensured the second half of the grand final rematch was a dour armwrestle with only three goals kicked.

Rain had a major impact — a prematch soaking ensured the ground was spongy, play was scrappy and goals were hard to come by.

Collie used the breeze better.

The Eagles trailed at quartertime but put their foot down in the second term as Tweedie hit his straps and booted four majors.

The one-time club champion was in everything up forward while Dave Cowan won a mountain of ball in the midfield and Jeb Swallow and Matt Blackford shone across the half-back line.

As the clouds closed in at the long break Busselton started brewing a different storm on the field.

Led by midfield workhorses Daniel McGinlay and Tim Ioannou the Magpies dominated possession but could not translate their ascendancy on to the scoreboard.

In the face of a barrage the Eagles defended dourly and, despite being held goalless for the term, led by 11 points at the last break.

When Jon Taylor snapped truly early in the last the margin was less than a kick, but the visitors couldn’t land the knockout punch.

Scoreboard

Collie Eagles 2.1 8.3 8.3 9.6 60 def Busselton 2.4 4.7 5.10 6.11 47

Goals:

COLLIE EAGLES — A. Tweedie 6, B. Wallam, K. Shanahan, M. Burek.

BUSSELTON — A. Fraser 3, J. Taylor, J. Anderson, A. Dehring.

Best:

COLLIE EAGLES — A. Tweedie, P. Lindsay, P. Rinder, D. Cowan, D. Graham, M. Blackford.

BUSSELTON — D. McGinlay, T. Ioannou, J. Price, A. Fraser, J. Meadmore, J. Eastwell.