Yarraville-Seddon coach Dean Callaway could hardly fault his side’s 103-point smashing of Caroline Springs Lakers at the Yarraville Oval on Saturday.
The Eagles were at their clinical best from quarter-time, piling on 20 goals to four in a rout that brought a welcome percentage boost to an otherwise tight Western Region Football League division 2 season.
“Our pressure was really good; we were more composed with the footy – we ran really hard and we used our blokes who were prepared to run,” Callaway told Star Weekly.
The lopsided scoreboard was a surprise to most, considering the Lakers’ upset win over North Footscray a week earlier.
Callaway prepared his side to face a team at its best, but Caroline Springs was only competitive for the opening term – the contrast between the sides could not have been starker.
“We withstood their pressure until quarter time and, from there, I think it was a one-horse race,” Callaway said.
“Our side was switched on today; Caroline Springs weren’t and we outplayed them.”
The Eagles had no shortage of strike power in attack. Full forward Sam Boyce and half forward flanker Jason Harmes booted seven goals each, while Chris Topalidis chipped in with five.
The Eagles finished with a massive 40 scoring shots.
“We’ve got a pretty strong forward line, when it’s working well with each other,” Callaway said.
It was young ruckman Giles Guest who had the biggest impact on the game. A tireless worker who rucked one-out for most of the game, Guest showed why his coach sees him as one of the next WRFL players to transition to VFL level.
“If he doesn’t get picked up by a VFL club, there’s something wrong because he has got the talent,” Callaway said.
“He really stood up today; I thought his marking around the ground, his ruck work, just bringing in guys around stoppages, as being a focal point.
“He runs hard both ways like a ruck rover and he’s six-foot-seven. He’s got a big future.”
Another youngster, Jed Richards, continued his fine form at full back, while the versatility of Uchita Wijesekara makes him a coach’s dream.
The Eagles, who are 3-3 and sitting fifth on the ladder, get their chance to face early-season whipping boys Sunshine Heights for the first time on Saturday at Ainsworth Reserve.
Callaway is not going to take the Heights lightly, despite their winless record.
“We’re just going to take the same intensity as we did this week and play our game,” he said. “You’ve got to bring your best footy each week; if you do that it will go a long way towards winning the game.”
