IN a heart-stopping contest at the weekend, the Mansfield Eagles Seniors narrowly missed out on victory against the Benalla Saints, falling short by just five points. The Eagles displayed tenacity and skill throughout the wet and wild match at the Benalla Showgrounds, ultimately coming out second-best with a close final scoreline of 9.12 (66) to Benalla's 11.5 (71). The Eagles began the game with determination, but the first quarter saw Benalla taking the early advantage and an 18-point lead. Mansfield regrouped in the second quarter, tightening their defence and putting pressure on the Saints, narrowing the gap by three points at the halftime break. The third quarter was a tightly contested battle, with both teams vying for control of the game. Mansfield matched Benalla's efforts, each team adding two goals and three points to their score. In the final term, the Eagles fought valiantly to overcome the deficit, taking charge and booting 3.4 to Benalla's two goals straight. Despite their efforts, the Eagles fell just short, with the final siren signalling a narrow five-point defeat and a hard-fought victory for the Saints. Mansfield's finest on the day included Matthew King, Cody George, James Herridge, Jack Marks, and Adam Boshevski, each delivering standout performances. Billy Hogan was a key player, kicking three goals, while skipper Jack Hutchins contributed two goals, the big backman making his presence known at the other end of the ground. In the earlier reserves game, Mansfield faced a challenging match, with Benalla Reserves securing a 64-point victory. The final scores were 13.14 (92) to 4.4 (28) in favour of Benalla. However, the day was not without its highlights for the Eagles, as the Under 18 team emerged victorious with a 20-point win. The young Eagles showcased their talent and potential, defeating Benalla with a final score of 9.4 (58) to 7.8 (50). This weekend, the Eagles will enjoy a home game battle with the Tatura Bulldogs at Mansfield Recreation Reserve. When the two teams met earlier this season, the Eagles posted a solid win and will no doubt try to do the same again as they edge closer to season’s end and try to find a way into finals footy.
