THE Mansfield Eagles delivered in front of a home crowd at the weekend, with the senior's side blasting the Kyabram Bombers in a rough and tumble contest.
In front of a passionate local throng at the Mansfield Rec Reserve, the blue and gold boys were strong out of the gates, kicking three in the first to lead by 11 points at quarter time.
But the Bombers bounced back in the second, kicking three to level things up heading into the break.
It was a hard fought game and hanging in the balance at this stage.
But a crafty Eagles lineup, with the home crowd on their side, soared above the roughshod Bombers, and booted ten goals in the third term to put an emphatic stamp on the game.
Led down front by big Cameron Arnold, who booted four, and Ben Christopher, who kicked three, the Eagles sealed the deal in the fourth quarter.
They kicked another three goals to the Bombers goalless final term to walk away with a decisive 51 point victory.
Final scores Mansfield seniors 17.12 (114) defeated Kyabram seniors 9.9 (63).
Best for the Eagles were Cameron Arnold, Tom McDonagh, Brett Mahoney, Patrick Marks, and Jack Hutchins.
Best for the Bombers were Jason Morgan, Joshua Dillon, Thomas Burnett, Lachlan Smith, and Brad Whitford.
The result went in the other direction earlier in the day when the reserves met.
A relatively evenly matched game throughout saw the Bombers seconds run away with things in the final term, when they poured on three goals to the Eagles goalless fourth quarter.
Final scores Mansfield reserves 4.8 (32) defeated by Kyabram seconds 8.6 (54).
Best for Mansfield was Jack Christopher, Luke Menhenett, Thomas Sheahan, Tom Anderson, and Jimmy Payne.
Standout Bombers included William Wild, Sean Dillon, Liam Dillon, and Luke Donnell.
In the first game of the day, Mansfield's U18s development side emerged victorious, notching up a solid 22 point win.
After a quiet start from both teams, the blue and gold boys had their necks in front for the rest of the game, the Bombers struggling match the young Eagles firepower.
Final scores Mansfield U18s 8.11 (59) defeated Kyabram U18s 5.7 (37).
Seniors Coach Chad Owens said he was pleased with the result at the weekend, particularly with the forward line and midfield.
"Cam Arnold has gone from strength to strength," said Owens.
"Him and Ben Christopher and Will Foster; Will's pressure has been really important.
"Our forward line are really starting to click, and if they lock away one, another stands up."
"Frazer Dale did a lot of leg work, and our midfield too is really shining; once again Brett Mahoney, Tom McDonagh, Jimmy Herridge, Sam Thompson, Jayden Howes, Luke Murray, all doing amazing."
On their respective ladders, Mansfield's seniors sit in second spot, the reserves in fifth, and the U18s in fourth.
With round 17 in the history books, the Eagles will travel to Tatura this weekend for their final game of the home and away season against the Bulldogs.
