WIN some, lose some best fits North Warrnambool Eagles.
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The Eagles achieved a 57-point win against Hamilton Kangaroos at Bushfield Recreation Reserve on Saturday but their 13.9 (87) to 4.6 (30) result might have come at a cost.
The club’s leading goalkicker Mark Murphy limped from the field late in the match with a knee injury that could jeopardise his immediate future.
Murphy, who kicked two goals to take his season’s tally to 23, the fifth-best in the competition, will be assessed this week with coach Bernard Moloney crossing his fingers the suspected knee-cap complaint won’t be a long term issue.
The Eagles, who went into the match without nine senior players, expect to regain key position player Adam Wines (corked hip) and possibly star midfielder Dean Gavin (ankle fracture) for Saturday’s match against South Warrnambool.
Moloney was delighted with his side’s performance, a week after suffering a shock loss to Port Fairy.
“It was a really good win. Our intensity was up and our ball use was good. We ambushed them a little bit,” Moloney said of his side’s strong opening of 4.3 to nil.
Defending premier Warrnambool extended its unbeaten run to eight matches this season with the biggest win of the round, a 68-point victory against Port Fairy at Reid Oval.
Blues coach Scott Carter was pleased with his side’s 13.18 (96) to 4.4 (28) result.
“Apart from 10 minutes in the second quarter we were pretty happy with the way we played,” Carter said.
“But we do need to make more of our opportunities in front of goal.”
Port Fairy coach Sam Rudolph was upbeat with his side’s first three quarters.
“We were with them for three quarters,” he said.
“The last quarter was a bit disappointing.
“They use the ball so well, that’s where we came unstuck. Our forward entries, we didn’t have a whole lot of options up forward and I knew it would be a tough game going forward.
“They are a class above but our intensity was fantastic for three quarters.”
The highlight of the game was Rudolph’s battle with star forward Jason Rowan. Rudolph held him to 4.5.
grbest@fairfaxmedia.com.au