The Murrumbateman Eagles defeated the Googong Hogs 9.19 (73) to 7.3 (45) on July 2 in Round 12 of the Canberra Fourth Grade competition.
Coach Brent Fraser said the score reflected the terrible weather at the Murrumbateman Rec Grounds with cold, muddy and windy conditions spelling a hard slog of winter footy. The ball was heavy, but Googong put the pressure on Murrumbateman showing that every round can be different as they put up a tough battle against a top side.
The Hogs finished the first quarter in the lead 3.1 (16) to 2.4 (19) but the Eagles quickly took back control by halftime, leading 5.8 (38) over 3.2 (20).
Although Googong hung on Murrumbateman showed what they were made of finishing the third quarter with a series of behinds leading 6.14 (50) over the Hogs 6.3 (39).
Another three goals and five behinds secured the win for the Eagles in the final quarter while Googong managed to score one last goal.
The coach said it was a good physical battle but difficult with the day’s conditions.
This weekend Murrumbateman is set to play the Woden Blues in Round 13 at Phillip Oval on July 9.
The Blues lost to the Molonglo Juggernauts last weekend so they will be out for redemption this Saturday.
“They are a good side and they always have been,” Brent said. “It’s going to be another hard game for us this week.”
Brent said the Eagles have a few players out under injury clouds and is unsure what the sides going to look like until later in the week.
With just four rounds left before the semis, it’s an open competition for who’s going to be battling it out for the semis.
“I’ve always told the guys, ‘It’s week by week and we don’t get too far ahead,” Brent said. “We’ve got to actually go through the process and so this week’s Woden, overall the next four weeks coming into the finals, they’re all going to be tough games.”
“Just take it week by week and try and take every opportunity as it comes.”
By Brianna O’Rourke
