THE Collie Eagles went down to an accurate Busselton side by 18 points at Sir Stewart Bovell Park on Sunday.
Followers of the game could not recall seeing a team kick 16 goals straight in a game.
For the first time this season the Eagles went into the game with an unchanged side.
The Eagles were on the board early when Dan Loveridge slotted through the first goal, only to see Busselton add the next four majors before the end of the first term while kicking to the scoring end. Once again Mick Roney, Matt Blackford and Jarrod Martin were under pressure to hold the home side out.
Tim Sloan was again given a job, to run with Busselton’s playmaker in Nathan Bradbury.
The Magpies responded by tagging the Eagles’ playmakers Kane Bebbington and Brendan Marshall.
The home side led 4.0 (24) to 1.4 (10) at the first change.
The change of ends saw the Eagles attack aggressively to hit the front at the main break.
If not for Busselton captain Brad Kearney the margin could have been wider. Playing wide of the play he became the link man out of defence and gathered possessions at will.
No Eagles player appeared to be accountable for him.
Trevor Scott showed a return to form as he controlled the centre of the ground contests to give Marshall, Bebbington and Daniel Graham first use of the ball.
With goals to Loveridge, Vernon, Scott and Seth White the visitors were in front at the main break leading 5.7 (37) to 6.0 (36).
The third term started well for the Eagles with goals to Scott and Teke Vernon (2) only to see Busselton take advantage of some undisciplined play by the Eagles to slam on eight goals for the term to open up a match winning break. The only highlight for Eagles supporters was the defensive running by Graham and Blackford as they broke the lines. The home side went to the final break leading 14.0 (84) to 9.9 (63).
In the final term the teams traded goals as the clock ran down with Busselton answering all Eagles challenges to get back into the game.
The only highlight for the term occurred when Brad Kearney scored the home side’s only minor score for the game. Busselton ran out winners 16.1 (97) to 11.13 (79).
On most other days the Eagles would have more than likely won but for the accuracy of the home side.
Goal scorers: Scott, Vernon 3, Loveridge 2, Malatesta, White and Martin. Best players: Marshall, Scott, Blackford, Graham, Sloan.
Next week the Eagles will play at home to South Bunbury in what becomes a must-win game.