Great Flinders football
UNITED Yeelanna scored their first win of the season on Saturday, beating Lock at Karkoo by 47 points.
A strong southerly wind greeted players and officials as they lined up for the Last Post played by Emma Glover, and a recitail of the " Lest We Forget '' by Vietnam Veteran Lungsy Loller. It made for a stirring opening to the football game.
In what were terrible conditions for skilled football both sides over used handball at times, making it a scrambly game for the spectators who lined the "Kooplex" verandah.
The Eagles attacked with fast ball movement, with only minors being scored early. Crettenden pushed the ball forward and Tait Secker marked and goaled.
Breed was at his elusive best and the Eagles' forward line was working a treat with the tall Secker in the goal square providing a target.
Lock's runners in Northcott, Mellor, Britza and Andrew Hetzel were trying to inspire their team with great field kicking.
The Eagles backline players in Stephen Crettenden, McLachlan, Habner, Coleman and Jolly were under pressure with Lock continually driving the ball forward.
The Eagles combined well; by running the ball out they found Boehm and Fitzgerald loose down field.
Hentschke was on top early across halfback along with Tiller, who was picking up kicks everywhere. Lock's Pearce snapped a goal out of the pack and the Roos' pressure came from Halman, Hetzel and Mellor, which was paying dividends.
Eagles midfielders - the ever reliable Skinner lads - were getting plenty of touches and after some clever work from Secker and Turner, Breed snapped a great goal from the pocket.
The quarter finished with the Eagles' Little, Fitzgerald and the son of a gun Norton all getting touches.
For Lock it was Britza, Mellor, Halman and Hentschke keeping them in touch to see scores at 2-3 to 1-2 in United Yeelanna's favour.
Wake and Hetzel moved the ball downfield after an Eagles minor and Andriske goaled. With Lock's experienced players combing they found Glover and he kicked his first.
The Roos were adjusting to the blustery condition better and being first to the ball helped.
The Eagles got a steadier through Mick Crettenden after being awarded a free.
Longmire's departure from the field with a shoulder injury upset the Roos' balance and coach Hetzel moved Hentschke into the ruck, trying to curb Norton's influence.
Ricky Skinner was continually getting his hands on the ball - he combined with Little and Hancock who found Secker for his third goal; Secker's height was proving a real headache for the Lock backmen.
Lock's forward line was well held with Habner directing traffic and the runners in Jolly, Coleman (found his position) and McLachlan they were on top at half time 5-6 to 3-2.
Lock's better players in Halman, Hetzel, Britza, Mellor and Northcott needed their team-mates to better use the ball - going sideways at Karkoo isn't the quickest way to score.
With both teams staying on the oval at half time the game quickly re-started.
Lock attacked but the Eagles defence bottled the ball up across half back where Stephen Crettenden was playing a great game.
The Eagles ran the ball up into the wind with Lock's backline working overtime with Hetzel and Halman getting back to help out.
A stalemate had developed until Breed took a great mark and kicked to the goal square with Secker showing his versatility kicking a goal off the ground.
Norton was running the Lock ruckmen ragged, picking up kicks all over the ground, pumping the ball forward and the Eagles were doing all the attacking and turning over the ball.
Coach Hetzel would have been pleased with Lock's tackling and commitment to the contest but at times lacked finishing skills in the blustery conditions.
Eagles' Little, Fitzgerald and Boehm continually found the ball when left unmanned and their side was in control at three quarter time, leading 7-8 to Lock 5-5.
Lock kept the Eagles' forward line bottled up on the dead flank in the final quarter.
The Roos attacked up the open flank and after a minor score the kick-in found Britza all alone and he kicked a great goal to keep Lock in touch.
Secker kicked another goal for the Eagles but against the flow Northcott kicked Lock's seventh for the game, but Watson, Secker and Norton all goaled for the Eagles and the game was over.
The Eagles dominated the air with Secker up forward, Norton in ruck and Stephen Crettenden, along with Habner down back.
Lock's best were Halman, Mellor, Britza, Northcott, Wake, Chris Pearce and coach Hetzel.
The Eagles' win was a team effort but there were none better than Mick Crettenden, Norton (Anzac medal winner),Watson, S. Crettenden and Habner, with apologies to Fitzgerald, Little Coleman, McLachlan and Boehm.
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