General News
15 May, 2026
Eagles challenge defending premiers
Ararat were on the road to play Warrack on Saturday, and left with the win by 30 points.
Final scores were the home side 6.10 (46) to Ararat 11.10 (76).
The eventual winners were down by 24 points after the first quarter, but held the lead at half-time, 5.5 (35) to 4.7 (31).
But the Eagles made better use of the footy in the third and held a half-goal margin going into the final quarter.
A big effort from the red-and-white secured them victory as they scored 6.3 to the opposition's 1.0.
Billy Stokes was his consistent self for Warrack, aided by the efforts of Ned Grieve and Riley Morrow, while Connor McFayden was the Eagles' only multiple goal scorer.
Eagles coach Kyle George lamented that it was a disappointing quarter before half-time that let the opposition back into the match.
It came off the back of a quarter where the Eagles were full of pressure and that was reflected in the score, with Ararat held goalless.
After the big break, George said there were opportunities for his side to make an impact.
"They kicked goals in junk time and that was disappointing," George said.
"We missed a lot of chances that we earned."
But credit where it was due, George said, as with their disciplined game play Ararat ground teams down.
While George said it was the more experienced players who led the red-and-white, it was the youngsters who performed well for the Eagles.
"Some of our kids played well," George said.
"Dane George, Shan Taylor, the Hanna boys and Billy Stokes."
The Eagles will have the bye this week before getting back into their footy the following week, when they come up against the Demons at City Oval.