A DETERMINED Waalitj Marawar played with courage and skill to beat Euro-Yroke by 28 points on Sunday, standing up to secure the first win of Andrew McQualter's tenure as the heartbroken club paid tribute to premiership player Adam Selwood.
In a performance that highlighted the new style McQualter is implementing, the Eagles made a fast start and extended their lead through the first three quarters, seeing off a brief threat in the final term to win 16.12 (108) to 12.8 (80) at Optus Stadium.
EAGLES v SAINTS Full match coverage and stats
It was the club's first win since beating North Melbourne in round 22 last season, snapping an 11-game losing streak and ensuring the club celebrated with the old team song it has reverted to for the first time this year.
The crowd erupted on the final siren, with the Eagles playing a tough, high-pressure brand that made life difficult for the Saints all day, with Ross Lyon's men suffering their fifth loss in six weeks.
A late rally that was led by five-goal star Jack Higgins gave the home team a brief scare before Liam Ryan steadied the ship with back-to-back goals to seal a significant win for the club.
Defender-turned-midfielder Brady Hough was outstanding with 24 disposals and a goal, while Harley Reid (15 and two goals) played a game-breaking cameo through the middle stages.
Ruck Matt Flynn (17 disposals and 30 hitouts) competed hard against in-form Saint Rowan Marshall (27 and 40), with co-captains Liam Duggan and Oscar Allen and leaders Jack Graham and Jake Waterman also standing up at key times.
Most impressively, however, Waalitj Marawar showed the collective maturity to rally at an emotional time and play with great spirit as seven Eagles celebrated their first wins in blue and gold.
The Eagles jumped into the game with excellent pressure and were rewarded, locking the ball in their front half and kicking early goals through Waterman and Flynn.
When veteran forward Jamie Cripps converted after a crafty sidestep and snap, the home team looked to have the game on its terms, dominating forward entries 17-10 on the way to a 12-point lead at the first break.
Reid was the star of the second quarter, intercepting a kick-in and converting on the run from 50m to ignite Eagles fans on a sombre day and reveal cracks in the way the Saints were playing.
He delivered again from long-range with a set shot, pushing the margin out to 25 points and racking up seven disposals for the quarter to continue his reemergence as a game-breaking midfielder after a slow start to the season.
Jack Sinclair, who had 20 disposals to half-time, and Marshall provided drive for the Saints, with Higgins kicking his first goal for the game on the eve of the main break to cut the margin to 19 points at the main break.
Ruck Bailey Williams played in partnership with Flynn on Sunday and delivered as a forward, kicking a clever goal to start the third quarter before Allen extended the lead further.
The Saints looked capable of making a run and kicked back-to-back goals late in the term, but Hough stepped up to ensure the Eagles won their third quarter for the game with his first career goal.
The final term was an avalanche of goals as the Saints searched for a way back into the game. They looked capable at one point as Higgins threatened with a pair of early goals that cut the margin to 17 points.
The Eagles showed poise to take their chances, however, with Graham, Williams and Ryan all converting high pressure set shots to make sure of the result in a win that meant plenty more than just four points.
Selwood remembered by heartbroken Eagles
A moment of silence was held before Sunday's game after the tragic loss of Adam Selwood this week, with a video tribute played on the big screens at half-time to remember the 2006 premiership hero. Selwood played 187 games for the Eagles between 2002-2013, with former teammate Jamie Cripps pointing to the sky and his black armband after his first-quarter goal. Selwood held coaching and administrative roles at the Eagles after his retirement and his loss would have devastated many past colleagues at the club, including his premiership coach John Worsfold and other members of the current football department.
The mini model is emerging
It was always going to take time, but new Waalitj Marawar coach Andrew McQualter is starting to stamp his style on this Eagles team. Sunday's maiden win for the coach was marked by high pressure, front-half dominance, and an ability to launch off opposition turnovers. The Eagles have been building, but their hunger for the contest on Sunday was at a new level against the Saints, preventing the visitors from ever having any flow to their game. With players finding form and the game style clicking in recent weeks, there should be more wins on the horizon for the club.
Midfield challenge looms for Saints
The Saints will sweat on scans for midfield jet Jack Macrae after coach Ross Lyon revealed the former Western Bulldogs star copped a knee to the back in Sunday's game. While down on impact, Macrae was again the Saints' leading clearance winner, finishing with eight from his 27 disposals. The 30-year-old ranked No.3 in the AFL for clearances leading into round 10 and now has 84 for the season. Jack Steele is next best for the club with 42. If there is an issue for Macrae and he is sidelined, the Saints will have to get creative in finding new clearance avenues.
WAALITJ MARAWAR 4.2 7.5 10.10 16.12 (108)
EURO-YROKE 2.2 4.4 6.6 12.8 (80)
GOALS
Waalitj Marawar: Williams 2, Waterman 2, Ryan 2, Reid 2, Allen 2, Hunt, Hough, Hewett, Graham, Flynn, Cripps
Euro-Yroke: Higgins 5, Wood 2, Wilson 2, Sharman, Marshall, Hall
BEST
Waalitj Marawar: Hough, Reid, Graham, Flynn, Duggan, Baker, Williams, Ryan
Euro-Yroke: Higgins, Marshall, Sinclair, Wilkie, Wanganeen-Milera, Wilson
INJURIES
Waalitj Marawar: Owies (calf)
Euro-Yroke: Nil
SUBSTITUTES
Waalitj Marawar: Tom Gross (replaced Matt Owies in the second quarter)
Euro-Yroke: Tobie Travaglia (replaced Angus McLennan in the third quarter)
Crowd: 42,860 at Optus Stadium
