Sport
15 April, 2026
Eagles hold off gallant Bombers
Last Saturday in round one of the Mininera League the Ararat Eagles held on in winter like conditions at Alexandra Oval to defeat the fast-finishing Penshurst Bombers by 11 points.
At the start of the third quarter Zac Louder put the Eagles eight goals up after taking a mark and the game looked all but over. The Bombers who have fifteen players aged under 21 had different ideas and led by strong marking forward Jacob Mibus who kicked five goals, they outscored the Eagles, eight goals to two. At no stage did the Eagles actually look like losing the game but they would have been happy to hear the final siren sound at the thirty-two-minute mark of the last quarter.
Eagles Josh Wilson kicked the first goal of the year from about 40 metres out after receiving a free kick. B.J. Burton, who was dangerous all day up forward then snapped two great goals in a row. Zac Louder then added another two goals, one from a mark and the other after reading the ball off the top of a pack in the goal square and the Eagles were in total control all over the ground.
Misty light rain started falling and in the gloomy cold weather the lights were turned on. The Bombers only goal for the quarter came from their best player Josh Rentsch from 50 metres out into a light breeze at the scoreboard end of the ground after taking a mark.
The start of the second quarter saw Flynn Jamieson extend the Eagles lead with a nice snap and they extended their lead with a further 4 goals including probably the goal of the day from a Sam Summers snap from 40 metres out. At half time the Eagles were 42 points up but the Bombers had shown glimpses of things to came winning plenty of the footy in the second half of the quarter.
With Josh Rentsch winning plenty of the ball around the ground and mid fielders Aaron Glare and Jye Uebergang lifting the Bombers mounted a spirited comeback. Goals to Jacob Mibus who is a magnificent kick of a football and a snap from Nate Cameron deep in the forward pocket saw the Bombers only 20 points down at the final break.
The start of the last quarter saw Mibus kick another long goal. A bit of a push and shove in front of the change rooms had supporters of both clubs vocal and on their feet. No real damage was done, and umpires sent one player from each team off with a yellow card which diffused the situation.
The Eagles then started to steady and a goal from Jake Peters at the 22-minute mark made it difficult for the Bombers who managed two further goals to get within 11 points. Despite the terrible conditions it was an entertaining game of football which both sides could take something from.
The Eagles for a good start to the year and the Bombers who showed a lot of fight after half time and were clapped off by their supporters.
Eagles playing coach Tom Taurau was close to best on ground winning numerous possessions all over the ground. Ned Bohner, recruited from Moyston Willaura was solid across the backline as was Nick Dunford on the half back flank.
Tom Cousins played his usual good game on the ball and forwards Zach Louder with five goals and B. J. Burton with three were focal points for the Eagles. New recruits to the Mininera League, tall Ben Ernest won many hit outs in the ruck and will be a big asset especially in dry conditions.
Harry Bourke who is a grandson of Richmond legend Francis Bourke was used in a number of roles and will be a key member for the Eagles as the season goes on.
Josh Rentsch despite only kicking one goal was again best for the Bombers with Henry Bensch. Jacob Mibus with five goals was a focal point all day and young Kaeden Murphy in his first game played well and kicked a nice goal.
This week sees a great round of football with five of the six games likely to be close with the results hard to predict. The other game sees Tatyoon head down to Willaura and play the Pumas and you would expect them to bounce back from last week. This will be the game covered by the Advocate.
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