Back to Baulko epic as Eagles down the Demons in famous victory
Well it has come and gone, but we already want to go back.
That is the occasion Back to Baulko produces for the East Coast Eagles community.
Plenty flocked from all around the country for the club’s biggest day of the year, and witnessed the famous maroon and gold Baulkham Hills Falcons strip done proud, as the Prems boys produced their biggest result of the year in Round 16.
In the Premier Division match of the year, the Eagles defeated cross-town arch rivals Pennant Hills by 8 points: 8.15.63 to 8.7.55, a win that will go along way to cementing a crucial finals spot for Lindsay Scown’s troops in 2018.
Everything was on the line in this do or die battle.
Local supremacy, bragging rights, and all-important top 5 ladder placings.
The importance of the result from a competition perspective was huge as East Coast remain en route to a finals berth currently sitting 3rd (equal 2nd on percentage), but the Demons were not so fortunate, slipping outside the top 5 as a consequence of the loss.
Battle lines were drawn early in a colossal and intense opening quarter, only a point the difference in favour of Pennant Hills at two goals a-piece.
In fact, at every quarter break the Demons led, the largest being just 3 points at half-time, yet no footy expert, and there were certainly a few of them on show Saturday, could claim they knew the impending result with any level of confidence.
The tit for tat showcase had the large home crowed glued to they’re seats, every possession so important.
Both teams had to make every chance count.
The final confrontation in the last quarter would define a season, so much on the line for both sides.
But on this day, Back to Baulko Day, the Eagles had too much pride and passion and were not going to let down the proud club’s long legacy. This was their day, no Demon would steal the victory.
The Eagles marched hard to a strong multiple goal lead in the final quarter and didnt let it go, closing out the match 8 point winners.
Stuart Turner was again excellent in this fixture, winning a ton of hard ball at ground level and using his penetrating right boot to full effect across Kanebridge Oval.
The better players on the day for East Coast were amongst the goals, with Trent Stubbs carrying his historic club name sensationally in a commanding two goal performance.
Karl Merson also had a pair of goals, as KOUTA continued to prove his vital role as the huge acquisition he returned to the club as. Dominance and power defined his Back to Baulko game.
Everyone played there role, all day, too many superstar performances to make mention, and the maturity of football on show by the Eagles in this nail biter is proof we have the side to make a huge statement come finals time in 2 weeks.
East Coast have massive games incoming up against UNSW and North Shore, with the three sides just mentioned making up the top 3 as the ladder currently stands.
Back to Baulko day in 2018 was an absolutely phenomenal event for the football club, one that everyone from the field to the HILL wishes could last a lifetime, East Coast Eagles stand up and applaud.
A brilliant day, a brilliant result, can’t wait for next year.
B2B
BM18!!
ROUND 16 | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 |
---|---|---|---|---|
East Coast Eagles | 2.1-13 | 4.5-29 | 4.10-34 | 8.15-63 |
Pennant Hills Demons | 2.2-14 | 5.2-32 | 5.3-33 | 8.7-55 |
Best Players: S. Turner, A. Browning, K. Merson, T. Stubbs, J. Vlatko, D. Steer
Best Players: T. Angel, M. Carroll, A. Goodall, S. Wray, R. Ediriwickrama, T. Widmer
POS | TEAM | P | W | L | D | F | A | % | PTS |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | North Shore Bombers | 16 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 1756 | 948 | 185.23 | 56 |
2 | UNSW Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs | 16 | 11 | 5 | 0 | 1350 | 972 | 138.89 | 44 |
3 | East Coast Eagles | 16 | 11 | 5 | 0 | 1114 | 895 | 124.47 | 44 |
4 | Sydney University | 16 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 1354 | 1056 | 128.22 | 36 |
5 | Manly Warringah Wolves | 16 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 1229 | 1087 | 113.06 | 36 |
6 | Pennant Hills Demons | 16 | 9 | 7 | 0 | 1364 | 1207 | 113.01 | 36 |
7 | St George Dragons | 16 | 6 | 10 | 0 | 1141 | 1399 | 81.56 | 24 |
8 | Camden Cats | 16 | 5 | 11 | 0 | 1135 | 1379 | 82.31 | 20 |
9 | UTS Bats | 16 | 4 | 12 | 0 | 931 | 1463 | 63.64 | 16 |
10 | Western Suburbs Magpies | 16 | 2 | 14 | 0 | 822 | 1790 | 45.92 | 8 |