NORTH Warrnambool Eagles coach Graeme Twaddle is calling for a swift response from his charges after their final quarter fadeout against Port Fairy on Saturday.
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The Seagulls slammed on 9.2 to 3.3 in the fourth term to run out 19.10 (124) to 11.14 (80) winners at Bushfield Recreation Reserve, leaving the Eagles to lament a lost opportunity to entrench themselves in third spot on the Hampden league ladder.
Port Fairy took a slender eight-point buffer into the final break but its run and carry, strong clearance work and multi-pronged forward line proved too much for the hosts.
The Eagles sit two wins clear of the fourth-placed Seagulls entering the bye weekend.
Twaddle, who lamented the Eagles’ lack of midfield rotations, said the heavy loss was frustrating.
“At the start of the last quarter we thought ‘we’re right in this’, probably because we were coming into the scoring end and we just didn’t fire a shot,” he said.
“Momentum is a big thing in football, so once they had it, they really hung on to it well.
“We pride ourselves on our games after half-time so we’re really disappointed with our last quarter.
“Defensively we’ve been really good the past couple of weeks and today we’ve let a side kick 19 goals.”
The Eagles, who were without ruckman Jaymen Fletcher and onballer Jye Bidmade, were outworked in the clinches.
Aaron Shields, Isaac Martin and ruckman Adam McCosh were crucial for the Seagulls.
“Port Fairy pride themselves on winning the clearances and stoppages and are really hard around it and I think our lighter bodies just couldn’t handle that today,” Twaddle said.
“When the whips started cracking in the last quarter we just couldn’t go with them.
“They set up really well across the half-back line so if you turn the ball over in there they make you pay.”
Twaddle labelled Sam McLachlan’s performance “outstanding” and was pleased with utility Ben Mugavin “who took a lot of marks around the ground”.
Port Fairy forward Robbie Hare kicked six goals, with Dylan Gunning (three), Andrew McCartney (three) and Xavier McCartney (two) all firing.
Seagulls coach Brett Evans was thrilled with the Seagulls’ avenues to goal.
“Sam McCartney went onto the ground and was fine and halfway through the first quarter became quite ill and came off and was sick,” he said.
“For the forward line to work so well with our centre half-forward being ill was fantastic for us.”
Evans had particular praise for Hare, who has turned his career around after a stint in the reserves.