CaseyCardinia League

By Brad Kingsbury
INJURYracked Beaconsfield has been relegated to the rank of challenger by many over the past month, however Saturday’s 38point win over Devon Meadows sounded an ominous warning.
The Eagles will be hard to beat in their quest for a record third consecutive flag.
Depth at the Perc Allison Reserve has been sorely tested over the past six weeks but players like Kris Fletcher, Ross Jackson, Matt Kenny, Chris Kelf and veteran Troy Cashman have stood tall to carry the Eagles to outright second place.
With a number of stars set to return and its vast biggame experience, Beaconsfield will be the testing material in September.
Saturday’s win was a good demonstration of that.
Devon Meadows had close to its best team on the park with the return of Adam Jago, Luke James and Daniel Mullen and came out breathing fire in the first term.
Craig Jackson manned up fullforward Jago in the absence of regular Eagle fullback Kane Airdrie, while Andrew Cotton had the job on Beaconsfield key Ross Jackson at the other end.
The first quarter saw both sides intent on attack with 11 goals kicked in the quarter and Beaconsfield leading by eight points at the first change, despite kicking against the breeze.
The first 10 minutes of the second quarter was played in the same vain before the Eagles broke free and booted six unanswered goals to lead by 51 points at the main change.
Devon Meadows lifted after the break with their finals hopes on the line and were within five goals at three–quarter time after Beaconsfield coach Leigh Clifford made some positional moves that did not work.
The Panthers came at their opponents hard at the start of the final term, kicking three quick goals to claw within 12 points, but Beaconsfield rallied and booted the last five goals to run away with the game in a polished display.
Clifford said his halftime tinkering could have been costly but, with finals approaching, was happy with his players’ reaction when challenged.
“I was really happy at halftime. I thought we’d done well and I made a few changes in the second half and they didn’t come off,” he said.
“They came out and threw everything at us in the first quarter and that was a good test for us.
“We put our foot back down when we had to so that was a good sign, but if you have a 10minute lapse in a final you’ll get smashed, so we have to be aware of not allowing that to happen.”
Devon Meadows was well served by onballers Alistair Williams and Jesse DeHey, together with Rory Alder and Chris Langley, but on the downside, Matt Timmerman was reported for striking Eagle hardnut Tim Musgrove.