54 SPORT FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 11 2020 Plucky Eagles stun St Kilda Waratah club goes LAINE CLARK A TOP-four finish looms for a depleted West Coast after an against the odds 9.11 (65) to 6.14 (50) AFL win over St Kilda at a wet Gabba in the Round 17 opener last night. But the Saints’ hopes of from zero to heroes playing finals footy for the first time since 2011 have taken a hit after they failed to overcome an Eagles side already missing five premiership-winning mid- fielders and reeling from a first half hamstring injury to key defender Jeremy McGovern. The Eagles (11-6 record) overcame a fourth term Saints fightback to not only lock up a finals spot but provisionally leapfrog Richmond into fourth with one regular season clash left. St Kilda grabbed a 10-point first-term lead but was held scoreless in the second quarter as the Eagles secured a 5.6 (36) to 3.5 (23) halftime buffer. After a goalless third term, the Saints kicked three majors in the fourth quarter’s first seven minutes to lead by eight but the Eagles responded with the final four including one from best on ground (29 touches). Four-time All-Australian McGovern could not take a trick. The key defender was al- ready under an injury cloud coming into the Round 17 clash nursing a dislocated thumb suffered in the last round loss to just four Waratah captain Isaac Conway with the CDU Top End T20 trophy back in June. The Warriors are also gunning for the 2020 Premier Grade title. Picture: CHE CHORLEY days ago. And he quickly found him- JOSH SPASARO games, Weerasinghe label- we were just trying to make last year. bined well with fellow self in the wars against the ling it “going from zero to up our own agenda. “We’ve embraced multi- tweakers, his brother Ma- Saints, copping a stray elbow WARATAH playing-coach heroes”. “But we’ve shown how culturalism and in today’s dura Weerasinghe and from Max King vying for a Udara Weerasinghe had no Isaac Conway and James capable we are on the field, world that is the way to go. James Seymour (16 wickets pack mark midway through shortage of motivation Seymour – with 452 and 407 as well as creating positive “Everyone is involved and each), and Ishara Gange the first term. which spurred him on to the runs apiece – finished in the interactions with our com- supporting each other and (nine). A groggy McGovern was 2020 Darwin Premier Grade competition’s top five for munities. embracing the Australian “Our spin combination bleeding from the cheek as he minor premiership title. total runs scored. “To do that you need peo- lifestyle. helped us win the T20 tour- was escorted from the field, The job is not yet done, And offspinner Weera- ple to trust you. “We’ve also had discus- nament earlier this year, sparking fears he may have with the Warriors to take on singhe finished the top wick- “And I think I’ve built up sions with Rohan Langwor- right up until our last game,” suffered a facial fracture. Darwin in the 1 v 4 semi-final et-taker with 24 scalps. that trust.” thy, the president of Weerasinghe said. There was relief when at Gardens Oval tomorrow. The 38-year-old allroun- Weerasinghe said Wara- Waratah Football Club, and “Our seamer Himesh McGovern returned to the But what a turnaround it der had his fair share of tah had “less than 20 play- we’re building a strong rela- Sandaradura was good for us field in the second term after a has been for the Red Caps. doubters when he crossed ers” when he came across tionship with them. last game (taking 5-12 in 20 minute rest via concussion This time last year the over to Waratah from Night- from the Tigers. “We want to be one big, Waratah’s 10-wicket thrash- protocols, slotting himself club was on the brink of ex- cliff in the off-season, linking “Now we’ve got over 130 strong family with people ing of Southern Districts). straight back into the action. tinction, and a top-grade Tahs with Ceylon Warriors, players. And this weekend who play sport in good spirits “And our new young guy However, the Eagles’ joy outfit for 2020 was looking and bringing plenty of Sri our A, B, C and two E-grade and who are good citizens.” Samindra Madushan has im- was short-lived with McGov- unlikely. Lankan talent with him. teams will be playing in the A key to Waratah’s suc- pressed everyone (with 15 ern joining West Coast’s al- Twelve months later it is “This club has gone from finals. cess this year has been its wickets and 205 runs). ready packed injury list when now the Top End’s minor zero to heroes,” Weerasing- “Our D-grade side was near-unstoppable spin com- “But I’ve been impressed he immediately grabbed his premiership-winning outfit, he told the NT News. the only team to miss out bination. with everyone in this team hamstring after diving for the with just two losses from 12 “A lot of people thought after this club could’ve died Weerasinghe has com- this year.” ball late in the first half. Cockatoo returning to Victoria as need for op rules him out for rest of season

JOSH BARNES child. Darwin-born Cockatoo “He has a wrist issue that he will be an important player named as an emergency for amant he hasn’t suffered any suffered the injury during a requires surgery that we have for us into the future.” the Cats. setbacks with his worrisome INJURY-PRONE midfielder scratch match and was able to been trying to find a way A mouth-watering talent, Geelong has been patient knee. Nakia Cockatoo has been continue to play through the through over the last couple of Cockatoo has played just 34 with the 23-year-old despite The captain hasn’t played ruled out for the remainder of discomfort. weeks to give him the option AFL games since he was draft- persistent soft tissue injuries since Round 12, and the club the season and will return to But given his want to return of playing for us this season,” ed with the 10th overall pick at because of his talent. has persistently stated he has Victoria in coming days to un- home for the birth of his child, Cats coach Chris Scott said. the 2014 AFL Draft. Meanwhile, Cats skipper been held back as a pre- dergo wrist surgery. the likelihood he wasn’t going “That hope is all but extin- The last of those 34 match- will miss his cautionary move. The Geelong speedster and to play at AFL level this year guished now unfortunately. es came in Round 3, 2018 and fourth match in a row against Scott said Selwood was run- his partner will also head and the requirement for sur- That is disappointing for us despite stringing together a Richmond at Metricon Stadi- ning without any trouble on home to be with family just be- gery post-season, he will leave and Nakia obviously but we handful of scratch matches um tonight. the track, yet he wasn’t ready fore the birth of their first Queensland. are still supremely confident this year he wasn’t so much as But coach Chris Scott is ad- to play against Richmond. NTNE01Z01MA - V1