Football
3 May, 2025
Warrack go down in first match of the season
After a delayed season's start, Matt Walder's Warrack side finally got on the park last Saturday, but the result didn't go their way.
The Eagles were defeated by Southern Mallee Thunder 10.6. (66) to 13.10 (88) but the coach said once they settled into the contest, the Eagles were able to hold their own for the majority of time.
Walder's side was served well by Sam Hanna and Ned Grieve, along with Kyle Cheney who booted three majors.
For the Thunder, coach Kieran Delahunty was outstanding, along with Jarrod Stokes and Thomas Clarke, who also klcked three goals.
On reflection, Walder said the Eagles lost the early stages of the game, with the Thunder booting the first couple of goals and putting pressure on his side.
"They also finished the game strongly, and we couldn't hold on," Walder said.
"We were still fighting, but Thunder found a way to get the better of us."
The coach is confident the side will develop and improve with more experience together as a team.
"It was a late start for us and the first time we had come together as an entire unit, but there were a lot of positives while at the same time a lot of workings in relations to how we operate and getting the best from the group.
"It might take that little bit longer, to get that gel and synergy, so we can get those four quarters."
Today the Eagles face Minyip Murtoa, who have a couple of wins banked already this season.
They defeated Dimboola by 41 points and then Stawell by 20 points and will be looking to add the Eagle's scalp to that list.
Having actually seen his team in action now, Walder said heading into the Burra's contest, he is still learning about some of his players and what their best 21 looks like.
"I'm learning about what about best defensive, best midfield unit looks like, and Minyip are up and about, but at the end of the day, we are still finding out about ourselves," he said.
"I'll identify areas of Minyip hopefully we can quell that, but also improve our game to test them."