Eagles fly in slog

By Mark Gullick
DEVON MEADOWS failed for the second week in a row against a fellow premiership contender – going down to Beaconsfield by 19 points on Saturday.
Before the match Panthers Meadows coach Steve O’Brien spoke to his players about their opponent’s fast starts.
That advice seemingly fell on deaf ears as his players conceded two quick goals.
The Eagles were clearly on their game early and when Devon Meadows did attack, its forwards played from behind.
Daniel Velardo kicked Devon Meadows’ first goal after cleverly roving a contest.
Beaconsfield kicked the next two before Velardo kicked his second, reducing the Panthers’ deficit to two goals.
It drizzled for the majority of the quarter and there were plenty of free kicks.
Owing to the conditions and the quality of the teams, there were no easy possessions.
Beaconsfield kicked the first two goals of the second term, before Devon Meadows pegged one back.
The Eagles kicked two of the last three goals to lead by four goals at the long break.
Rain lashed the Perc Allison Oval in the last half and the match was reduced to a slog.
Both teams slugged it out and it became a game of inches.
Devon Meadows kicked three goals to two during the third term, but couldn’t string together the series of goals needed to earnestly reduce its deficit.
Beaconsfield led by 22 points going into the final term.
The lights came on and the heavy rain set in.
Only three goals were scored in the final term and Beaconsfield took the game 11.11. (77) to 9.4.(58).
The victory keeps Beaconsfield’s record perfect after seven rounds.
Coach Aussie Jones was happy with the win.
“It was probably one of our better performances,” he said.
“We didn’t have any passages where we got dominated. They were good at times, but across the board it was a pretty even contribution from the boys.”
Devon Meadows coach Steve O’Brien was disappointed with the way his players started the game.
“We had a few plans put in place because we know they’re a very good starting side,” he said.
“That was our focus and we probably didn’t really execute what we wanted to.”
It was Devon Meadows’ second consecutive loss, but the poor conditions take out any meaningful analysis of the game.
O’Brien described it as a real slog.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen conditions like that but both sides can be pretty proud with how they put their head over the ball and no one shirked an issue.
“It was a war of attrition and who could get the ball forward any sort of way possible. It’s pretty hard to read anything into it.”
Beaconsfield had a very even team performance according to Jones.
“Ryan Donaldson’s been in super form and he played an amazing role for us,” he said.
“He didn’t hit the scoreboard too much, but he played a role. He knows what it was and we know what it was, and it allowed Mitch Collins and Daniel Calteri to pop up and have a big influence on the game.”
Mitch Collins was the star for Beaconsfield. He took several strong marks and kicked four goals.
Daniel Calteri was an excellent support in the forward line. Clint Setford relished the conditions and was lively up forward.
Sean Alexander played a solid game in defence.
For Devon Meadows, Daniel Rigg and Justin Hill were superb.
“Riggy’s just the ultimate professional,” O’Brien said.
“Not only did he contain the league’s leading goalkicker, but he also gave us tremendous drive. He and Justin Hill – their leadership was fantastic all day.”
Defender Guy Chisnall and youngster Steve McInnes tried hard.
David Velardo showed tremendous class by kicking five goals in very difficult conditions.