Eagles swamp Logan with work ethic

LOYAL Ipswich Eagles clubman Ian “Nobby” North ignited a new direction for his team after savouring his first victory as senior coach on Saturday.

After being held to five goals in the first quarter, the Eagles players ran hot across a chilly Limestone Park field.

Ipswich ended up thrashing Logan City 25.12-162 to 11.9-75 in a performance that heartened North after the recent resignation of former coach Mike O'Neill.

“It's very pleasing and I'm excited about the group we've got,” North said.

“I didn't expect to win by that much. The hard work and the effort, the teamwork, probably got that result there.”

Senior statesman Luke Konstanciak led the way with six goals, offering vital encouragement to young Eagles players like Billy North and Josh Poole.

Brett Nairn also kicked six, with Glenn Wright, Todd Burger, Chris Devlin, Mat Dickson, Ryan Mcallister, Joshua Morris, Nathan Howard, Matt Gordon and Brett Thomson joining in the goal feast.

“Our work ethic was great,” North said. “We maintained the run and shared the footy. No one got greedy.”

North was happy with his young brigade, including his son Billy and promising halfback Poole.

“They showed courage and they ran hard. I was very pleased with them,” the new coach said.

“There's a few more kids waiting in the wings to have a go as well.

“It's going to be a slow changing of the guard over the next year and a half or so.”

Billy, who turns 15 next month, received cheers every time he grabbed the ball.

He also earnt a huge rap from his cousin, Brisbane Lions AFL speedster Rhan Hooper (see tomorrow's QT).

Coach North was delighted to see Hooper, his nephew, offering encouragement to his troops.

“I coached him all through his juniors,” North said of Hooper.

“I'm really pleased to see him here. He played footy with a lot of these blokes and they lift a bit when they see him around.”

The huge win keeps Eagles in the top half of the AFLQSA Division 2 competition.

The Ipswich Eagles Reserves retained fourth spot on percentages after a three-point loss to Logan City.

Ipswich went down 9.10-64 to 9.7-61 to Logan, despite five goals by Paul Schoormans.

• Next matches: Saturday - Eagles v Strathpine at Rob Akers Reserve.