Sandown Cobras coach Stephen Jasiak is having a tough year.By Glen Atwell
THE Doveton Eagles launched themselves from the bottom of the Southern Football League Division Three ladder with a 52-point win against the Sandown Cobras at Power Reserve on Saturday.
In a match tipped to go down to the wire, the Eagles outclassed the Cobras, who are now the only Division Three side winless in 2006.
Stephen Wright was unstoppable for the Eagles, booting nine goals and was the difference between the two sides.
Eagles assistant coach Ben Hughes returned to form and played his best game of the season.
The Cobras could not find a reliable forward target. Matt Vale and Daniel Gargano both kicked three, but it was simply not enough.
Huy Voung again impressed with his pace and efficiency, and Daniel Macklin was the other shining light for Sandown.
Cobras president Lew Short said it had been a tough year for the club.
“Obviously on-field things aren’t going as planned, but off-field everyone is sticking together,” he said.
Short said the Eagles were pumped up and ready to win on Saturday.
“It was a game up for grabs, but the Eagles came out firing,” he said.
“Wright was great and Hughes put in a top game.”
Eagles coach Paul Davis said Wright was not only a strong target, but also a dangerous rover.
“About six of his goals were roved from around the packs, his game doesn’t just rely on set shots,” he said.
Davis said the Eagles were improving every week.
“It’s taken a while for everyone to get used to the style of football we all play,” he said. “I think we can beat other teams in Division Three, that’s what we are here to do.”
But with one win and five losses, the Eagles have given their competition a decent head start.
On Saturday the Eagles travel to Mount Waverley, and the Cobras return to Edinburgh Reserve to host North Kew.
