The Hawks are starting to click and "anythings possible" according to first year player-coach Clinton Gribble. The midfielder lauded king of the stoppages Luke Powell and the defence of Glen Martin as the defending champions put Norths to the sword 18.14 (122) to 7.4 (46) under the new lights at Cazalys on Friday night. The Hawks overturned an 83-point hiding in their last encounter to inflict a 76-point one of their own. The broadcast-friendly lights meant the action was hard to miss, but Norths might have preferred to stay in the dark as Manunda applied the clamps all over the park to record their best result of the season and climb back into third spot. It is the first time Norths have lost to a team other than Saints and Gribble said the drubbing represented his side's first complete performance of the season. "It finally came together and the key was putting four quarters together, not just a good one here or there," he said. "We took a bit of motivation into it after losing so badly to them last game and we knew they'd be thinking they were going to win it." "Anything is possible now, I believe we have the talent and the brand of footy to push anyone by season's end." Gribble said Powell made it easy for the Hawks' midfield to dominate, while up front Phil Dreise (seven goals) was able to match the combined team tally of a Norths side that was almost full strength. Lincoln Withers (Darwin) and Todd Owen (Port Lincoln) were new additions for Manunda. While Owen was impressive, a broken nose to Withers in the first quarter meant that he never got a chance. Gribble welcomed the new faces but said it was the reunion of some old ones that had taken them to new heights on the weekend. "Guys like (Glen) Martin and Willie (Aisi) have that experience and maturity and leadership," the coach said. "There's pressure for spots now, it's harder to pick the team adn the boys are responding." At Crathern Park (also on Friday night), Saints' Matt Walsh celebrated his 100th game at teh club with 11 goals. Walsh's teammate Nick Gill kicked 10 in their 24.20 (164) to 6.8 (44) annihilation of Centrals.
Last Modified on 25/09/2012 10:18