CRANBOURNE champion Marc Holt has bagged the 15th double-figure haul of his career, kicking 13 goals in the Eagles’ massive 181-point victory over a dismal Hampton Park at Casey Fields.
Holt, who hadn’t filled his socks since kicking 10 against the Redbacks in round 14, last year, was back to his imperious best, claiming his biggest bag since kicking 16 in round 2, 2013.
Holt was tremendous as he charged towards 900 goals for the club but, let’s be honest, as a contest this one didn’t last long at all.
The Eagles were already on a high, welcoming back 2011 premiership stars Ryan Jones and Glenn Osborne from injury and had just watched their number-one ruckman Michael Boland make his return from long-term injury in the twos.
A 7.2 to 3.0 first term kept that feeling alive before things got even better from there.
The Eagles were absolutely ruthless, slamming home 25 goals to two after the first break, taking the visitors back to the dark old days of seasons gone by.
Holt was clearly the best man on the ground while Jones, ‘Fancy Boots’ Josh Rich and Matt Fletcher all did as they liked, slamming home four each for the afternoon.
Interleague defender Brandon Osborne joined his brother Glenn on the best player’s list while Maxy Gearon continued his great form that could see him in contention for a Norm Walker medal at season’s end.
What was already an impossible challenge became even harder for the Redbacks who were missing their best forward, Nathan Carver, their best defender in Kane White and one of their most skilful users of the ball in Adam Koe.
Regular seconds’ players Andrew Lawless and Brenton Hollingworth got their chance while Jackson Philpin returned after missing round five.
None of those key omissions would have made any difference to the destination of the four premiership points but at least the visitors would have been more competitive.
Andrew Shipp and Peter Bastin kicked two, while Lionel Beniot, Bryce Keyser, Cory Phillips and Billy Thomas could throw their bags over their shoulders and walk out of Casey Fields with their heads held high.
