Sport
18 July, 2026
Eagles needing extra win
MAIDEN Gully’s push for a place in the finals is alive, but a tough run home will test the Eagles’ credentials.
MAIDEN Gully’s push for a place in the finals is alive, but a tough run home will test the Eagles’ credentials.
A 55-point win over Mitiamo kept Maiden Gully in sixth place, knocking on the door of the last finals spot.
The Eagles are a game behind Inglewood with a 6-7 record and will almost certainly need to sneak a win over a top five side to reach the finals.
In three weeks, they will travel to Inglewood in what shapes as a pivotal match for both teams.
Before that, Maiden Gully plays Bears Lagoon Serpentine – out of the finals race but keen to play the spoiler role – and Bridgewater.
Marong is the opponent in round 17, with Calivil in the final round.
That’s probably the only ‘gimme’ in the Eagles’ run, but it’s likely their fate will be decided by then.
Maiden Gully had 20 more scoring shots than the Superoos, but some errant kicking in the windy conditions cost them precious percentage, which may be critical in the top five race.
Another race causing the Eagles some stress is the one to qualify former AFL player Shaun McKernan for the finals, should they make them. He has been sidelined with a calf complaint since his four-goal debut for Maiden Gully and needs to play another three matches to be eligible to play in the finals.
Mitiamo was missing inspirational skipper Luke Lougoon, and Joey Mizzi stood up to shoulder the burden of leading the midfield. He played his best game since returning from the frightening neck injury that caused the round five clash with Inglewood to be abandoned.
The Superoos travel to play the Woodies this week in the return match.
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