The Narrandera Imperial Eagles’ Football Netball Club (Eagles) senior team suffered a 74-point defeat last Saturday in their away game at Kindra Park, Coolamon.

The Eagles 6.6 (42) lost against the Coolamon Rovers 17.14 (116) in their Riverina Football League game.

At the end of the opening quarter, the Eagles trailed by just 16 points and matched their opponents in the second half, going into the main break, still in the game but down by 17 points.

An Eagles’ victory looked unlikely as the game started to slip away from them after the restart, as they could only manage to kick a single behind, while the Rovers added to their tally with six goals and two behinds to take a nine-goal lead into the final quarter.

The club’s director of football, James Sullivan admitted the Rovers were just too good on the day for a depleted Eagles’ outfit.

“Coolamon were too strong overall with their experience and mature bodies,” Sullivan said.

“We had six forced changes which really impacted our structures with two players playing both reserves and first grade.”

“Coolamon started the game very strongly, getting on top in the midfield, but our boys fought hard and had a great second quarter, making it a more even contest through good ball use and pressure.

“But Coolamon were just too strong in the second half.”

Sullivan noted some positives to take from the game which did feature some highlights.

There were first grade debuts to Tom Dore and Dylan Knagge and Kyle Bull had his first game for the club in four years.

“Barry O’Connor and Blake Renet were very good again around the ball,” Sullivan said.

“Connor Vearing stepped up as fill-in captain and had a great game.

“The backline battled hard all day and young guns Darcy Mimmo, Darcy Pendergast and Riley Boag continued their great start to the year and all had great games.

“With some key inclusions for next week, we are looking forward to a strong performance against Collingullie away.”

The Rovers’ goal kickers included Aiden McAuley (7), Luke Redfern (3), Braeden Glyde (2) and one each from Mitchell Dryden, Oscar Perrot, Bayden Leary, Nicholas Buchanan and Haiden Schloithe.

Their best players were Timothy Coenen, Braeden Glyde, Haiden Schloithe, Aiden Macauley, Nick Pleming and Campbell Mattingly.

The Eagles’ goal kickers included Barry O’Connor (2), Blake Renet (2) and one each for Kyle Bull and Dylan Knagge.

Meanwhile, the Eagles’ reserves 5.4 (34) lost by 67 points against the Rovers 15.11 (101).

The Rovers’ goal kickers included Timothy Garret (8), Luke McLoughlin (3), Bailey Hilton (2) and one each from Heath Petty and Kyle Woods.

Their best players were Sam Neale, Ash Hard, Kyle Woods, Daniel Smith, Timothy Garrett and Luke McLoughlin.

The Eagles’ goal kickers were Louis Dean (2) and one each from Archie Boag, Shaun Quilter and Jye Winnell.

Their best players included Callum Auldist, Brandon Hall, Louis Deen, Drew Kenna, Luke Paterson and Archie Boag.

The Eagles’ Under 18s 6.10 (46) had better fortune, recording a four-point win in a thrilling game against the Rovers 6.6 (42).

The Eagles’ goal kickers were Zac Scott (2), Judd Powell (2) and one each from Riley Parslow-Gibson and Jye Winnell.

Their best players included Judd Powell, Blake Lawrence, Riley Parslow-Gibson, Archie Boag, Zac Scott and Jett Eldridge.

The Rovers’ goal kickers included Noah Bartholomew (3) and one each from Blake Mavroudis, Riley Hommes and Vaughn Jenkins.

Their best players were Cooper Dryden, Bryce Dryden, Riley Hommes, Blake Mavroudis, Mitchell Lewis and Ryder Spencer.