Football
26 April, 2025
Eagles ready for first game
With every other team playing at least a game already this season, the Eagles will finally get onto the field today, but the Thunder will look to dampen their flight.
Southern Mallee will be hoping for their first win from the hit out, after being defeated in Round One by Stawell.
The Thunder fell three goals short against their opposition a fortnight ago, despite Coleman Schache and Kai Sheers leading the way, with Sheers, Brayden Ison and Haydn Drew all booting goals by the multiple.
Coach of the Eagles, Matt Walder, said everyone else will be getting their first look at his side at the same time he gets his first look on the park.
His side has welcomed at least 10 new players to last season's list of players.
"This season we are coming from a base that is low, and this is our first hitout," Walder said.
"This will be the first look at us, and as far as our strengths and weaknesses, it's going to be about adding experience to the developing locals.
"A good blend, a good mix, is where we are coming from."
At this stage, he said, to get a full handle on where the Eagles are going to sit in the scheme of things is too early to tell, with not having played.
"We are drawing on the recruits we have brought in, their experience and leadership qualities, and having the local developing players and bridging the gap between where we were last year and where we want to be this season," he said.
The coach said he is expecting the Thunder to field an experienced side on Saturday, one similar to the last few years in relation to leadership and outside experience.
"They will be a seasoned team, and that will be a hard one to combat, obviously," he added.
"They'll have a sprinkle of youth, but they won't be as young as some of the other teams."
Walder said the Eagle's contingent onball will be new and they'll have a revised forward line, including the addition of Brandon Walsh, who is back at the club after many years away.
"Forward of the centre will look different, so I would like to think we will make some inroads there and make a heavy scoring capacity," Walder said.
"But also loading up our defence as well, we will have some tall options to cover down back, but I would like to think it's a blend, and even mix, and not have to rely on too few."