Football
7 May, 2024
Cheney celebrates 300 games
Jacob Cheney celebrated his 300th game for the Warrack Eagles on the weekend in their 74-point loss to the Horsham Saints.
The Eagles had club legend Mick Evans as a guest speaker before the game and his son, Jack debuted. Walder said he loved the symbolism of the day.
"Firstly, to have Jack debut with his dad being there as a speaker was great. Secondly, I coached Jake in his first match, so it was special to coach him in his 300th," Walder said.
"There was a banner made for him on the day, which was great.
"I started him at full forward at the beginning of the game and said he had three minutes to kick a goal or he would be moved. He ended up taking a mark just outside 50 but it was too far for him, but he did set one up."
"He is a determined and disciplined player and is a team man and it was good to see him celebrate his 300th."
Machok Garang was their best again with Riley Morrow and Jake O'Donnell.
Walder said there have been improvements.
"We were in the contest in the first quarter which is a big improvement from our first two games," Walder said.
"We applied pressure and our intensity was solid and our pressure rating was the highest for the year in the first and second quarters.
"With intensity brings results and it's a positive step forward, coupled with our ball movement being better as we were able to string some passages of play together."
Walder was quick to point out Jake O'Donnell in his first game of the year.
"He has been down for a couple of weeks but showed his ability to win the ball on the inside," Walder said.
"He won his own footy but also got on the outside and ran and it was nice for him to impact the game in those two aspects."