Victory in sight for Murrumbateman Eagles

The Eagles won the first quarter against Belconnen "quite convincingly" Ingold said, 3.5.23 to 2.0.12.

"They're certainly starting to click. I think that really showed in the first quarter."

"I've said it all along that if we can go out there and be competitive, I'd be happy with that. We've been far more than competitive, we haven't been smashed off the park yet, and no side has kicked over 100 points against us."

Ingold's comments are pertinent, particularly considering they played the Cootamundra Blues in round two and escaped with a 2.4.16 to 13.10.88 defeat. Two weeks later, the Blues would defeat second-ranked Goulburn Swans by 108 points.

The match against the Magpies was the latest in a series of close matches for the Eagles, any of which could have featured a different result had luck been on their side.

However, they could not maintain the momentum and slowed in subsequent quarters to fall to a 7.11.53 to 10.16.76 defeat.

"There's been some pretty close ones in the weeks just passed," Ingold said.

"[The team is] confident, and I think that they know that they can get it done. It's just that little bit of final touch."

While the team is optimistic, losing by close margins to Cooma and Yass also left a bitter taste in the mouth.

"They're all disappointed as well, they were pretty gutted against Cooma to be within [13] points," Ingold said.

"Against Cooma we were a goal up at the start of the fourth quarter."

The difference, Ingold said, will be made by focusing on the one-percenters.

"We're just trying to get the small things right," he said.

"If we can do that, and consistently, I don't think there's too much wrong. A lot of people are saying fitness, but the last ten minutes against Belconnen, their tackling and their pressure was some of the best I've seen all year."

The Eagles will play the Goulburn Swans this Saturday, June 1, at Goodhew Park in Goulburn from 2.00pm.