HANDBALL: Brett Mahoney, Jimmy Hopgood and David Mensch (obscured) look on as Jimmy Herridge gets his handball away. PHOTO: Peter Hunt

Slow start, but Eagles capitalise

Written by PETER HUNT.

THE Eagles did what they had to do against bottom of the ladder Shepparton Bears and recorded a 69 point win, so controlling their own destiny in the run to the finals.

The Eagles had first use of the ball, but it did not help as five minutes of broken play elapsed before Simon Dick scored the first major of the afternoon.

There was aways a danger that Mansfield would be brought down to the Bears’ level, and early play looked to prove that right.

Both sides scored points before some indecsion from the Eagles let the Bears in for their first goal.

With most possession coming out of the rucks going to Shepparton, it was a credit to the Eagles that they scored goals to Nathan Hart, Casey Briggs and Adam Boshevski while only conceding one to the Bears.

Mansfield’s play was not fluid, but this was partly due to Shepparton flooding back in defence.

Only making nine tackles for the quarter did not please Eagles coach, Craig Kelly, niether did the 4.3 to 2.2 scoreline.

The second term opened with an Eagles behind before the floodgates opened.