After losing only a handful of games for the season, the Eagles lost their best player Steven Gough before the grand final to a bout of glandular fever. 

But they should have gone into their clash with Bracknell without another of their best 22, Tony Leonard.

“I didn’t know until after the game that he’d played with two broken ribs,” captain-coach John Jones said.  

“He didn’t tell me until the next day after the grand final that he’d broken them the week before in the preliminary. 

“His father came out and strapped him up, but he took him out the back so I couldn’t see him.”

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The Eagles had plenty of contributors in the seven-point win, but perhaps none more influential than wingman Kevin Lewis, who was moved out of his pet position halfway through the first quarter. 

“Kevin was playing on the wing and I had three tall forwards so I pulled one out and sent Kevin to the pocket - he argued for about two minutes and didn’t want to go.

“Anyway he went in and he kicked six goals. 

“I would say it was luck because the next time you do it, it doesn’t work and it’s not a masterstroke.”

But the Eagles didn’t have it all their own way, with a late goalkicking show almost swinging the match. 

“We had it under control most of the day but a bloke called Freddie Burnie, he kicked three quick goals and put them in the game.

“I switched a bloke called Billy Mandouit on him and he stopped him, but it would have been trouble if he'd kicked any more.” 

Evandale Football Club’s senior and reserve 1977 premiership reunion will be held on Saturday at Evandale Football Club.

For more information visit the club’s Facebook page or contact 0474545253 or 0457843212.