Gippsland Times |
MAFFRA'S thumping of Drouin was notable for a number of reasons.
The Eagles recorded their highest ever score, 39.17 (251), passing their previous best of 38.21 (249) kicked against Churchill in 1985. It was also the equal eighth highest score in Gippsland League football history.
The 213-point margin also equalled Maffra's best, which also happened in that match against Churchill.
The marks were reached with a Darren Sheen goal after the siren.
That major was Sheen's 17th of the match, equalling Adrian Burgiel's club record set in 2006, also against Drouin. Only three other players have kicked more goals in a LVFL/GLFL/WGLFL/Gippsland League match.
It was also a big day for Burgiel, who kicked six goals, but his third kicked during the second term was his 600th career major for Maffra. Burgiel is just the third player in the league to reach that mark behind Ian Jennings (Moe and Yallourn-Yallourn North, 733) and Paul McCulloch (Morwell and Traralgon, 677).
As if that wasn't enough, Eagles premiership full back Sam Bristow also played his 200th senior game.
The Eagles moved into third place with their 39.17 (251) to 6.2 (58) win.
Daniel Bedggood also joined in the goal kicking fun against the hapless Hawks, kicking seven.
Kel Porter, Ben Coleman and Ben Batalha were having a field day, gathering possessions at will, while Brent Connelly gave his teammates first use of the ball from the ruck contests.
The Eagles went into the match without James Hammill, Dan O'Brien and Matt Lee, and gave Dylan Alexander and Ryan Peel senior debuts, while welcoming back James Huts to strengthen the defence.
The home side stamped its authority on proceedings early with Sheen booting three goals in as many minutes as the Eagles were playing good running football. By quarter-time, Sheen already had five goals.
Debutant Alexander capped off a memorable quarter for the home side with a good goal on the run, set-up by good work in the midfield by Coleman.
The Eagles only conceded one goal in the first term to lead by 49 points at the first break.
Alexander began the second term with another goal before Burgiel's milestone major saw his teammates crowd around to congratulate him.
After a seven-goal second quarter, the Eagles extended their lead to 87 points with the Hawks' only two goals of the second term coming from 50 metre penalties.
Sheen kicked his ninth and 10th goals within minutes of play resuming in the third quarter.
The Eagles kicked 12.3 for the quarter, while keeping the Hawks scoreless. The lead at the final change was 162.
In the final term, the Eagles kicked 11 goals to three.
