THE Batemans Bay Seahawks 10-year grand final reunion and ladies’ day celebrations were spoiled by Eastlake who held off an inaccurate home team to win 14.5 (89) to 12.13( 85) at Hanging Rock.
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The Seahawks, who were without captain Sam Millynn, trailed by one point at quarter-time despite doubling Eastlake’s scoring shots.
In the first quarter coach Mark Adams was substituted with a dislocated shoulder and was taken to hospital to receive further treatment.
Brett Pedder manned the sidelines for the Seahawks and directed the team to “get back to their structures”.
Eastlake kept the Seahawks to nine points in the second quarter and at half-time it had opened up a 9.3 (57) to 4.8 (32) lead.
The Seahawks started the third quarter well and kicked three quick goals to bring the margin back to five points.
Eastlake kicked another to open a 63-52 lead before Shaun Green found an unmarked Dwayne Gentner in the goal square.
Gentner goaled with ease and the Seahawks trailed 63-58.
The Seahawks brought the ball forward from the next centre bounce but Eastlake took advantage of two quick free kicks to score a goal on three-quarter time.
The Bay’s team huddle swelled before the final quarter with 2004 SCAFL premiership heroes banding around the current team.
Eastlake made an early jump in the fourth quarter and capitalised on locking the ball in their forward 50 with a goal.
Green picked up a free kick minutes later and kicked his second goal to put the Seahawks back in the hunt, trailing 75-66.
Following the centre-bounce Green earned another free kick, which became a 50-metre penalty, and he kicked his second goal in as many minutes.
Each team kicked a number of behinds but it was Eastlake’s ability to lock down the Seahawks after a missed target which gave the club its next goal.
A scramble for a loose ball followed and Eastlake used its extra number to avoid hounding Batemans Bay players before a punishing goal was booted home to give it an 83-73 lead.
The Seahawks then forced a holding-the-ball free kick and immediately sent it into the forward 50.
Gentner was rewarded with a free kick after playing in front and he goaled from 35 metres out to make it an 83-79 game.
The momentum continued to see-saw with minutes remaining as Eastlake locked the ball into the Bay’s defensive 50.
A quick clearing kick sailed out on the full and Eastlake punished the Bay as it kicked a tight-angled goal to push the lead back to 10 points.
Off the next centre bounce Scott Reaper received the ball and broke clear from the centre.
Reaper found the hands of a diving Brendan Marshall who marked 45 metres out. Marshall, on a 45-degree angle, slotted the long attempt and the Hawks remained a chance with a minute remaining.
The Seahawks had one last roll of the dice but a stellar defensive effort by an Eastlake player, who spoiled a mark in his defensive 50 before forcing a holding the ball decision, saved his team.
Adams believed a game against quality opposition should benefit his team before they face Ainslie at Hanging Rock in the qualifying final on Saturday.
“It was a good test for us coming into finals football and it highlights the pressure we will be under,” Adams said.
He said his side rued missed opportunities in front of goal but believed it would be improved.
“All pre game we talked about making the most of our opportunities,” he said.
“I’m not sure if it had to do with their pressure or whether it was mistakes we can improve.”
Goal kickers: S Green 3, D Gentner 3, B Marshall 2, J Millynn 2, R Hummel and C Cutmore.
Best players: S Green, C Hall, J Tegart, K Dehne, A Bradbury and J Millynn.
