SANFL 2006 ROUND 14: WOODVILLE-WEST TORRENS v CENTRAL DISTRICT

Eagles put away old rival

By PETER ARGENT

AGAINST a team which has given them plenty of pain over the past five years, Woodville-West Torrens' victory at Woodville Oval against the Bulldogs was critical to the club's 2006 premiership aspirations.

The Eagles were dominant early, but inaccuracy in front of goal stopped them from creating a commanding lead at quarter time.

Central had control of the game halfway through the second term, but just as the Dogs were about to take the game away, Woodville-West Torrens worked itself back into the match through Tim Inkster and Matthew Cooper.

“It was a fantastic contest and a gallant victory by the side, considering we were down to 17 fit men in the end,” Eagles coach Ron Fuller said.

“Except for 15 minutes in the third term I thought we were the better team. Fighting back strongly after losing control was also pleasing.”

With 10 minutes left and the scores level, the fitter and more direct Eagles, with Mark Passador kicking three goals in the last quarter, went on to win by 24 points.

Passador had an interesting match – slotting through a major early, before frustrating Eagles' fans with five consecutive behinds, then finding his aim late in the match.

Inkster's fourth best-on-ground performance, which included two goals, put the left-footer in serious contention for the Magarey Medal.

Cooper's career seems to have been reinvigorated since arriving at Oval Avenue, while the mercurial Justin Cicolella gained many possessions, but didn't use them with the same efficiencies as usual.

Captain Gavin Colville, the hard-working Vinnie Rugolo, and Aaron Shattock across half back were also instrumental in the victory.

Asked to take on a heightened workload, state under-18s ruckman Sam Jacobs deserved a mention for his effort against Paul Scoullar.

David Westbrook was creative up forward with two first half goals, while Chris Knights kicked two important majors in the first six minutes of the match, before leaving the field with a driver complaint – an injury which he went into the game with.

The Eagles have another tough encounter against Port this week.

SCORES: Woodville-West Torrens 4.5 6.8 9.11 14.16 (100) defeated Central District 1.1 5.1 10.2 12.4 (76).

BEST: Eagles - Inkster, Cooper, Westbrook, Colville, Rugolo, Shattock; Central - J. Gowans, Scoullar, Ware, Mackenzie, Wilson C. Gowans.

GOALS: Eagles - Passador 5, Westbrook, Inkster, Knights 2, Rugolo, Cooper, Symmons; Central - J.Gowans 3, Ware, McCabe 2, Schell, J.Westhoff, Stengle, Sibenaler, Cowan.