Eagles go down in a close one to hungry Bulldogs

Five weeks into 2018, and not much has changed at East Coast.

Brandon Clark continues to tap into his frightening BEAST mode.

Trent Stubbs has remained one of the form players of the competition

The young Eagles in O’Brien, Waters and Wilson impress week-in-week-out

Mark Weekes is still atop of the league leading goalkickers tally

But the biggest and most crucial element that has yet to waver, the greatest burden the Eagles have yet to overcome is something that all good teams suffer from at some stage during long season.

However, it takes only the great teams to band together and spit in its face.

Of course I am talking about: INCONSISTENTCY

Did you expect a scarier word?

Trust me, it can become an unresolved issue that can unravel seasons.

Heading into Round 5, the Eagles were 3-1 and their opponents UNSW were 1-3, yet this game had a much more even feel about it then the numbers suggested.

After defeating Camden in Round 4 a lot less convincingly then they should have, the Eagles had the opportunity to fly high and stand out on their home ground and cement their irremovable place in the Top 4, despite being without captain Ben Bourke.

At the final siren however, the margin was only a goal and the Eagles were not rocking, but left sorely disappointed after going down 10.7.67 – 9.7.61 to a hungrier UNSW Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs side.

Still sitting in 3rd place, the Eagles remain firm contenders for the Premiership in the 2018 Sydney AFL Premier Division, but they need a bit more run and grunt across the board, to be considered the competition BENCHMARK at the halfway line in about a months time.

Panic stations are not yet active at East Coast, but the inconsistencies in their game must improve or risk the potential of a truly great season, that may eventually leave plenty to be desired.

FIRE UP EAGLES.

BM18