Unlike 2011 when the Eagles only took control in the third quarter of the grand final, this year the game was over by half time. The Eagles opened up 21-point lead at the first break and by half time had extended their lead to 47-points, with the Dogs failing to score in the second term. The Eagles back line of Huddo, Morel and Crighton was impassable on the rare occasions the Dog’s midfield was able to move the ball into their forward-50. The Eagles mid-field of Carden, Burr, Robles and Chung was relentless, while Rob Johnson was dominant on his wing.
The Bulldogs battled manfully and could rightfully use as an excuse the fact that four of their players were under 16 with a couple of 18-year olds new to the game. They sadly missed the bigger bodies of Todd Andrews, their absentee captain and young gun Craig Varcoe (collarbone), along with veteran Jason Beck who was nursing a strained calf. Unfortunately, they came up against a determined Eagles outfit that never took their foot off the accelerator to record a massive win.
Final Score: Mid-Canterbury Eagles 16 13 109 def Christchurch Bulldogs 5 6 36
In the early game, the Blues finished off their season strongly with a narrow, but convincing win over the fast fading University Cougars. The Cougars turned around a 7-point defecit at quarter time to lead by 1-point at the main break. The game was blown open just after half time resumption when the Blues banged on 4-straight goals from centre clearances. Final score
Final Score: Eastern Blues 12 18 90 def The University Cougars 11 7 73
