THE Collie Eagles travelled to Kelly Park on the weekend to play Carey Park, only to come away soundly beaten and struggling to field a side for next weekend.

Forced changes saw Aaron King, Corey Slater, Brad White, Tim Sloan and Phil Rabjones come into the side to replace Seth White, Daniel Graham, Peit Rodgers, Teke Vernon and Jarrod Martin.

JJ Pike drew the short straw and lined up on the Panthers big forward Shane Nani who had the first goal on the board in the opening seconds of the game.

The Eagles, led by Adam Bignall and Matt Pike across the center of the ground, soon answered with two goals to hit the front. Mick Roney led the defence with support from the dashing Matt Blackford and Brad White to hold the home side out as the Eagles led 2.3 (15) to 1.4 (10) at the first change.

The Eagles soon extended their lead with goals by Corey Griggs and Kane Bebbington as the second term got underway before this stanza of play became the Frank Quatermaine show as he scored three goals for the term. Collie lifted as Travis Daniels took control of the midfield to lock the ball in Carey Parks forward line. Blair Malatesta showed glimpses of his talent with runs up the wing to support Bignall and Blackford as the home side went to the main break leading 5.8 (38) to 4.6 (30).

The Eagles cause was not helped when Luke Motion was forced from the ground injured.

Eagles supporters were silenced after the break as the home side rattled on the first five goals in the third term before Malatesta could stem the flow.

The Eagles plight was not helped when Matt Pike went down with a serious knee injury followed by a yellow card to Tom Marlow as the Panthers added a further two goals for the term.

The home side went to the last break leading 12.10 (82) to 5.8 (38).

The Eagles plight did not improve in the last term when Bignall suffered a leg injury, Brendan Marshall and Kane Bebbington continued to play well as the final term developed into a shoot out with 13 goals being scored.

Unfortunately eight were by the home side as Nani and Quatermaine finished full of running.

The Eagles scored the last three goals for the game to advance the score board but the Panthers had already put the cue in the rack long before the final siren saves Eagles supporters more pain.

Carey Park ran out easy winners 20.11 (131) to 10.9 (69).

As with the previous week the Eagles had no answer for the big bodies like Bennell, Delfs, Hinkley, Nani, Willday, Gasper and McMillan around the ground.

Goal scorers: Slater, Roney, Malatesta 2, Griggs, Bebbington, Bignall, Rabjones.

Best players: Marshall, Bebbington, Blackford, Sloan and White.

Although the Eagles might struggle for next weeks home game against Augusta-Margaret River to field a competitive side, the likes of Corey Slater would benefit from last weeks hit out.

It may be time the selectors looked at Beau Riley and big Reggie to be promoted from the reserves to add experience and presence in the side.

From back page

The Eagles cause was not helped when Luke Motion was forced from the ground injured.

Eagles supporters were silenced after the break as the home side rattled on the first five goals in the third term before Malatesta could stem the flow.

Their plight was not helped when Matt Pike went down with a serious knee injury followed by a yellow card to Tom Marlow as the Panthers added a further two goals for the term.

The home side went to the last break leading 12.10 (82) to 5.8 (38).

The game did not improve for Collie in the last term when Bignall suffered a leg injury, Brendan Marshall and Kane Bebbington continued to play well as the final term developed into a shoot out with 13 goals being scored.

Unfortunately eight were by the home side as Nani and Quatermaine finished full of running.

The Eagles scored the last three goals for the game to advance the score board but the Panthers had already put the cue in the rack long before the final siren saves Eagles supporters more pain.

Carey Park ran out easy winners 20.11 (131) to 10.9 (69).

As with the previous week the Eagles had no answer for the big bodies like Bennell, Delfs, Hinkley, Nani, Willday, Gasper and McMillan around the ground.

Goal scorers: Slater, Roney, Malatesta 2, Griggs, Bebbington, Bignall, Rabjones.

Best players: Marshall, Bebbington, Blackford, Sloan and White.

Although the Eagles might struggle for next weeks home game against Augusta-Margaret River to field a competitive side, the likes of Corey Slater would benefit from last weeks hit out.

It may be time the selectors looked at Beau Riley and big Reggie to be promoted from the reserves to add experience and presence in the side.