Taking on the Narooma Lions, the Sea Eagles were eager to lift for Troy O’Loghlin’s 100th game. 

A touching tribute to AFL coach Phil Walsh was carried out ahead of the match with players joining together for a minute’s silence. 

O’Loghlin then led the Sea Eagles to the field, running through a commemorative banner for his milestone match.

At Lawrence Park, the Sea Eagles had gained a dominant lead early on, but the Lions launched an astonishing third-quarter fight back. 

Club veteran Luke Taylor said he “put the acid” on the boys during the break and was pleased to see the reaction as the home side fired away to a 100-point lead. 

“Narooma really challenged us in the third quarter and it was great to see our young fellas stand up,” Taylor said. 

O’Loghlin led the team onto the field and played a big part from the centre on Saturday. 

“He was fantastic, he’s has been a great footballer for our club for a long time and what he produced on Saturday was just him all over,” Taylor said. 

It was a gritty fight for the ball in the middle, but O’Loghlin shone to handball out of the pack repeatedly. 

He showed exceptional hand-eye co-ordination to handball moments before being crash-tackled by the hungry Narooma horde. 

Taylor said it’s always important for the club to win at Lawrence Park, but it was another level to secure the win for O’Loghlin.

“We touch on it each week about the importance of winning at home, but the added incentive for Troy’s 100th - they took the moment really well,” he said.

“With a young group you can get a bit wayward under the pressure, but they stood up enormously for Troy.  

“It was great to see them stand up in the heat of battle.”

On the fringes it was the young stars again showing their flare for the Sea Eagles. 

Bayden Pilbeam and Jack Hukins shone to see good ball going forward to Will Dickinson. 

Dickinson, who was in his first game at full forward was a goal-kicking machine. 

He slotted six majors in the match where he flew high in a number of contested marks in the front line. 

Meanwhile, Noah Martyn played a paceful and talented game. 

He ran hard and kicked accurately. 

Martyn was visibly fiery in some exchanges, but it is a testament to his passion for the game, Taylor said. 

“He gets a little bit heated in the moment, but we love that about him, it shows how passionate he is about the club, and the game,” Taylor said. 

“As long as we’re not giving up penalties we’re happy to have him show that passion.”

Taylor was also pleased with Hukins and Pilbeam and said they had continued to stand up each week. 

“They got Will some really good delivery in the first half and they have really been stepping up each week.”

The club now goes to another bye round ahead of a  clash with Bermagui. 

Taylor said it’s imperative players get to training with no game to be played. 

“It all starts on the track and we want to have a good work ethic at training,” he said. 

“You work hard at training and you reap the rewards, the boys showed that on Saturday.”