Eagles out-gunned again by Canberrans in massive loss as youngsters stamp their mark

The Eagles went down by 56 points 97-41 as nine Canberra players hit the scoreboard with five or more points, Will Mayfield again doing the most damage with 19 after sinking 37 the last time the two sides met.

Missing key ball users and point-scorers Kobe Mansell and Andrew Manios, and with the injured Zak Simons still absent from the side, the Eagles were always up it against the side that clinically took them apart in their first game on home court in round three.

The Eagles lost 88-57 in that clash in March, coach Jamahl Zegzula said the side had lost confidence in their 20-point loss to Shoalhaven three weeks ago.

Since then the side lost by three points to a Rob Dewar-inspired Dubbo Rams before being dismantled on Saturday afternoon in Canberra.

Zegzula said the confidence hit was beginning to impact the season, but was determined to turn it around and have a strong finish, but admitted the side walked into the clash knowing it would be a challenge.

"We just wanted to be competitive and not get blown out of the water and lose by 60 points, which we did, but we kind of expected it [to be difficult]," he said.

"We want to make sure what we build lasts into next season."

Skipper Mitch Selwood was the only Eagle to hit double figures in the points column, finishing with 18 points, while Murray Robotham hit nine points for the match.

However, Zegzula lauded his younger players who stood up in the absence of key cogs in the side, with Jordan Baker and Charlie Kilby both making the most of the extra court time on offer, while Clarry Annis-Brown is becoming an integral part of the Eagles' line-up.

"Jordan and Charlie played really well considering the court time, they're really growing as players and learning how to play in this division," he said.

"I think our younger players stood up with some of our key players missing."

With two wins, the Eagles are still one game clear of last place, which is occupied by Dubbo Rams, but the side sits ninth of 10 in the D1M competition.

The Eagles have a two-week respite before their next game when they head to Illawarra to take on the third-placed Hawks on June 15 before returning home seven days later against to take on the Wagga Heat at Sir Neville Howse Stadium.