WARRACK Eagles have extended their winning streak to three matches with a 30-point triumph over Stawell at Anzac Park, Warracknabeal, on Saturday.

The Eagles led a determined Warriors outfit by just six behinds at the major change, but a seven-goal-to-one third quarter turned the match in the host’s favour.

The visitors responded in the final quarter – holding the Eagles goal-less – but it was not enough to overturn a 45-point deficit, with the final score 10.19 (79) to 7.7 (49).

Eagles coach Tim Inkster – who did not play because of a hamstring injury – said he would take the four points, but was not overly happy with the team’s performance.

“It’s a game we had to win with the season shaping up the way it is,” he said.

“The way we went about, we were probably lucky to win by what we did – it wasn’t like we were dominating the game.

“It’s a bonus to get the four points – if you drop a game like that it puts you back, so you’ve got to win the ones when you’re in the game.”

Peter Weir, two goals, was the Eagles’ only multiple goal-kicker, while Ben Harrison and Jason Hinkley were again named among the best players.

Former AFL and VFL footballer Clayton Hinkley played his first game for the season, getting through unscathed and kicking a goal.

Warriors coach Brad Cassidy said his side would take a number of positives out of the match.

“I thought we were pretty good for most of the game, but perhaps a few lapses cost us,” he said.

“I certainly felt in stages we held our own, had some good passsages of play and things like that.

“I was really pleased that we finished the game off well and ran the game out.”

Cassidy said centre-half-forward Todd Cleary and centre-half-back Chris Ford were among the side’s strongest performers.

Tom Eckel continued his form in the middle, while Brenton Potter, two goals, and Cam Kimber also impressed.

Forward Andrew Cameron was the leading goal-kicker for the match, slotting three majors.