PERFECT conditions greeted the Tathra and Narooma Seniors for round four SCAFL action at Lawrence Park last Saturday for the AFL's Community Football weekend.

To mark this occasion, ex-Tathra player and future Sydney star Ed Barlow was on hand, a gesture greatly appreciated by the club and the many excited youngsters at the ground.

The club also invited all past players and life members and a great response resulted in a big crowd looking forward to an excellent game.

The first quarter didn't disappoint, with both teams coming out hard and fast.

Tathra appeared to settle best, with the midfield and half backs winning the early exchanges.

Nathan Smith’s ruck work was lending first use of the ball to Luke Mundy, Matt May and co and with Ryan O’Louglin at his slippery best, signs were good for the home side.

A midfield role reversal in the second quarter saw Narooma come out a different side.

Within no time at all Tathra’s lead vanished as Narooma kept belting the ball into their forward 50.

Halftime couldn't come quick enough and when it did, a silence followed the Eagles off the ground after a five goal to one quarter.

Experience was needed and after a half time fire up, new recruit Brad McBain led the charge after a shift into the midfield.

With his brother Matt doing a blanket job across half back the team responded and once again the Eagles were playing their tough, no nonsense brand of football.

Nathan Smith at centre-half-forward was a standout target and freakish goal from O’Louglin on the siren allowed the Eagles to go into the huddle with great momentum and a small lead.

As the umpires got play under way for the final quarter it was anyone’s game.

Narooma battled valiantly, but Tathra’s midfield rotations and the not so young legs of Dave Little and Steve Bland across halfback were beginning to tell.

With Brad McBain dominating and the young Tathra forwards firing, all appeared to be going to script.

However, Narooma refused to give up and it took a Narooma send off followed by a pressure goal to Riley Coman to secure the game for Tathra.

A special presentation was held to mark the Community weekend at the completion of the game, with Ed giving a great insight into life as an AFL footballer.

The Sea Eagles We wish him all the best for the season and his undoubtedly bright future. The winner of the Ed Barlow Trophy for best on ground was Dave Little.

Reserves

The Reserves were a much happier outfit this week with a very well deserved win over the Narooma Lions.

The defence were able to keep the Lions to very little, due to the efforts of the Lambie twins (Jake and Brad) and Big Al Hopkins at fullback.

Harry Watson had a good game at centre half back, while up forward Jarrod Palmer, Jason Hetherton and new recruit Trent Stafford were getting amongst the goals, as was Brad Colligan.

No doubt the key to their success though was the work of the on-ballers and Mark Zonneveld who had a great game, rucking all day, taking marks, and finishing the day with a big bomb from outside the 50 to score a goal.

Juniors

The lower grades recorded wins, with the Under 17s thumping the Lions by

141 points, the Under 15s sneaking home by a goal and Under 13s claiming their first success of the season.