Nowak was one of Whyalla's best contributors and was judged as the Best Under 21 player at this year's carnival by the umpires.

Unfortunately, Nowak's success was not replicated in the team's overall results.

Whyalla were soundly beaten by Eastern Eyre in Monday's battel for fifth and sixth position.

Whyalla started the game well, but lost two valuable players through injury in the first five minutes of play, which severely depleted its already under manned team.

This did not deter the youngsters as they were playing great football and led by six points at the first break (3.0 to 1.6).

Eastern were starting to run all over the gallant Whyalla boys, but bad kicking for goal was letting them down as they only led by two points at the long break, with the scores being 2.9 to 3.1.

Eastern took complete control after the long break as the severely depleted Whyalla team were out muscled, out run and out classed with Eastern increasing its lead to 36 points at the last break (6.14 to 3.3).

If not for poor finishing in front of goal Eastern would have been much more in front.

Whyalla gained a little respectability in the last quarter, with Reggie Reid kicking three goals, but could not stop the onslaught with the final scores being 13.19 to 6.3, a loss of 58 points.

Whyalla's best players were Damien Hanneman, Blake Symons, Reggie Reid, Chris Beaty, Scott Norman and Luke Seymour, with a special mention to all the other players, young or experienced over the weekend for their effort under hard and difficult circumstances.

Whyalla has to get its act together and take its best team possible to future shields or we will continue to be the laughing stock of the Eyre Peninsula.

RESULTS:

MON DAY:

Whyalla 3.0 3.1 3.2 6.3.

Eastern Eyre 1.6 2.9 6.14 13.19

Best Players: Damien Hanneman, Blake Symons, Reggie Reid, Chris Beaty, Scott Norman and Luke Seymour.

Goal kickers: Reggie Reid 3, Gary Hoffman 1, Michael Kellett 1 and Luke Seymour 1.

SATURDAY:

Game 1

Whyalla v Great Flinders.

Best Players: Gary Hoffman, Chris Beaty, Ben English, Luke Hastings, Blake Symons and Luke Seymour.

Goal kickers: Ben English 2, Blake Symons 1 & Dwayne Colson 1.

Game 2

Whyalla v Mid West.

Best Players: Dwayne Colson, Ray McIntosh, Scott Norman, Luke Seymour, Luke Hastings and Ben English.

Goal kickers: Ben English 1, Dale Gericke 1, Michael Kellett 1 and Luke Seymour 1.