Sea Eagles Dominate

A HUGE Easter Saturday crowd assembled in Inverloch and saw their visitors Cora Lynn look damaging early, moving the ball with pace and accuracy, giving their forwards plenty of good looks.

However, after the Cobras failed to convert on two occasions in front of goal, the hometown Sea Eagles were able to repel their forward thrusts and create chances of their own.

The footy was in hot dispute throughout the first 15 minutes although neither team could convert their opportunities until IK star Oscar Toussaint kicked truly for the game’s first major.

Toussaint gave the hosts great run through the midfield, with local guns Xavier Hughes, Clint McCaughan and Lachlan Scott assisting to help IK find their groove towards the end of the quarter.

Captain Toby Mahoney slotted a booming set shot late to really get the home side going, they took a 24-point lead into the first break. Having not scored a goal in the first quarter, the Cobras looked to bite back early in the second, starting hot again but were unable to finish their work.

The Sea Eagles’ fast paced ‘knock it forward’ style of play granted them repeat forwards stoppages and eventuated in a thrilling Corey Casey goal from deep in the pocket under duress.

The ball pinballed around for much of the second term before Cora Lynn was finally able to find a mark inside 50 to Luke Hartley who slammed through their first goal.

Unfortunately, this did little to spark the visitors, as the stout Sea Eagles defence continued to produce turnovers inside enemy territory and turn them into offensive drives.

Fan favourite Lachlan Johnson slotted his one of three goals on the day, followed by goals to Thomas Wyatt and Tom Hams to extend the lead to seven goals.

The visitors fought back with a clearance goal and control of possession until another forward half turnover gave IK a chance to link up brilliantly and find Casey for his second.

Gun recruit Ethan Park kicked truly from outside the arc to extend the Sea Eagles lead to a 51-point at the main break.

Like they had two quarters prior, Cora Lynn continued to press to start the third, although some individual brilliance from Lewis Rankin led to yet another coast-to-coast goal for the Sea Eagles.

Following a brief stalemate, Johnson broke through for another major, opening the floodgates once again.

In perfect conditions on their home deck, Inverloch-Kongwak began to play with freedom taking the game on with every chance that presented.

Lack of discipline and the hosts’ rigid defence continued to starve the Cobras of scoring opportunities, as they were held to just nine shots through three quarters of play.

Tristan Van Driel opened the scoring in the final term, pushing the lead over the 100 mark.

Things only got worse for the visitors, as they gave away multiple 50 metre penalties in their haste to stop the bleeding.

The IK skipper snapped truly to send the crowd into a frenzy as smiles began to fill the faces of the Sea Eagles players and faithful around the ground.

The Cobras were able to stop the onslaught with a couple of goals late, but the hosts were relentless giving it everything until the final siren.

This was typified by the efforts of star defender Lewis Rankin, who sacrificed his body going back with the flight of the ball with his side up 120 points with barely five minutes left.

Rankin was rewarded with a goal moments later to seal a monumental victory for Inverloch Kongwak, who ran out 121-point winners on their way to a 3-0 record.

They will have a week off before facing Dalyston on the road in Round 4.

As for the Cobras, they were left licking their wounds and will hope to bounce back in Round 4 at home against Tooradin-Dalmore.