Welcome to all visitors to today’s game, especially those from Numurkah, between the Hawks and the Blues. Hopefully the Hawks will give a great account of themselves and we look forward to some enthralling battles on the netball courts and footy ovals!!
Last week saw the Hawks head to Congupna on a less than pleasant day. Memorial Park hasn’t been the happiest of hunting grounds for Barooga successes and this continued on Saturday, with the Seniors and U12 netballers getting the chocolates, while the U13s had to settle for a draw.
With Congupna coming off a great first round win against the reigning premiers, the Hawks knew they were in for a tight contest. A great start allowed them to get an early advantage, setting up a sizeable breathing space, which they were able to maintain through the majority of the game. Leads at the breaks were a 20 point gap at the first break, 26 at half time and 25 points at 3 / 4 time. Both sides had an opportunity to break the game open at stages but neither was able to break the deadlock. Congupna’s best chance came when Tommy Crapp was bizarrely sent from the field during the second quarter and both sides missed golden opportunities in the 3rd where inaccurate kicking on goal kept the game evenly pegged. The last quarter was a terrific tussle, with the Road setting about whittling away the Hawks’ lead and getting within 7 points. A huge sigh of relief went up from the Barooga spectators as the final siren sounded, eroding memories of last week’s defeat which looked like being repeated. Hendo continued his stellar start to the year with a great game in the ruck. His work ethic around the ground was a big contributor to the Hawks’ win. Tim O’Dwyer had a mountain of ball and gave the side plenty of drive from a wing, Trav Hayes hasn’t taken long to adjust to the pace of Murray League footy and was a great option up forward, Hilly was terrific as a midfielder and linked well with others around the engine room, Clarkey continued his excellent start and starred off his half back flank, and Mick Connors was the dominant forward on the ground, dragging down some terrific contested marks and bagging three majors. Hydey was the recipient of the ‘Tackler’ award, wrapping up 8 opponents with absolute bone-crunchers. The task doesn’t get any easier today as they take a rampant Blues side, who have notched up 2 great wins to kick-start their season.
The Reserves will be looking to get back on track after a dismal effort last week. Totally outplayed by a slicker Road side throughout the majority of the game, the boys tried to work their way back into the contest during the third, getting within 29 points. Unfortunately, they used up all their tickets and the floodgates opened for the Road during the final stanza and the Congupna boys were deserving winners by a massive 68 points. Sean Connor did everything in his power to keep the Hawks in the contest, Doc O’Callaghan didn’t miss a beat and you would never have known he’s been out of the game for 18 months and Col Ross was sensational in the last line of defence and, without his efforts, the margin could have been a lot greater. Nicko and Flanno also gave their all, attempting to stem the tide, and Knuckles (Anton Noble) came out of retirement to show he hasn’t lost any of his touch and determination. Huge game for the boys this week!
After such a promising pre-season, the U17s are struggling to find the form and unity to win them games of football. From the outset of Saturday’s game, they were dictated to by the Road side and found themselves trailing by 8 goals at half-time. They struggled to contain Congupna, who went on to secure a 92 point thrashing of the young Hawks. Back to the drawing board and a bit of soul-searching to be done as they face another formidable opponent in Numurkah today, who have won their 2 opening games. Great test for Mick’s charges and we are all hoping that they’ll be able to break their duck today! Better players last week included Riley Brooks, who never gave in and typified the Barooga spirit, Troy Metzner (first year up from the U14s), Mitch and Ben Sim (continuing on their good form), Sam Jenkins and Arthur Rootsey.
The U14s showed that a week is a long time in footy. After being trounced by the Tigers, the boys put in a huge week on the track and nearly pulled off the unthinkable. Trailing for the first half, the boys hit the front during the 3rd quarter, holding onto a slender 4 point lead going into the last. Unfortunately, the boys couldn’t hold onto this and went down by the slender margin of 6 points. A frustrating result but still light at the end of the tunnel! Keep working hard as this always pays off. Hary Foster played a great game, doing a plethora of work around the ground and giving the Hawks terrific drive. Caleb Brooks again put everything on the line, with no concern for self-preservation, Lachie Wright continues to lead from the front and is proving a great model for his younger charges, and Declan Brooks thrived in the conditions, playing the small man role to perfection. Keep persevering boys and a win won’t be too far away.
The netballers fared only marginally better than the footballers, with the Road being too strong in the majority of the grades. It was left to the two junior grades, the U13s and U12s (two wins from as many starts), to come away with smiles on their faces.
12 & Under
Great game girls. You all adapted to position changes. We have a few things to work on at training. Well done to Jess Quirk on winning the CRC Fertilisers award this week. Barooga 19 def Congupna 8.
13 & Under
Great game. Went goal for goal in the last half. Very tight game and could have been anyone's. Hannah Bray and Allie Sanderson were the recipients of the Barooga General Store & Coach’s Awards. Barooga 15 drew with Congupna 15.
15 & under
The girls worked very hard and had a few good passages of play. Keep up with the hard work and it will pay off in the coming weeks. Sonya McCarthy received The Beach award for her great game. Barooga 12 lost to Congupna 29.
17 & Under.
Wet weather one minute, dry the next and, with slippery conditions prevailing, it made it tough. Keep working hard with Coach Steph and the wins will be just around the corner. Mikahla Bowden took out the Barooga Café & Take Away award for her consistent game. Barooga 12 lost to Congupna 34.
C Res
First game of the season saw 4 players away. It was a great scoring game and everyone worked hard. Thank you to all the fill ins today, you all played great games. Marlie Knight, filling in for some absentees, was great and was given the D’Vine award. Barooga 34 fell short to Congupna 47.
C Grade
It was a trying day and an extremely frustrating game. Wish we could erase the first half and played like we did in the second half and the result may have been different. Heads up it can only get better. Barooga 31 lost to Congupna 36. Michelle Buchanan took out the Barooga Hotel award.
B Grade
It was a game where we looked nervous, made plenty of errors and one that we would all like to forget. Spencer Brooks was super and justly received the D’Vine award. Barooga 20 lost to Congupna 56.
A Grade
A close first half with numerous great plays and we were rewarded with great goals. The second half was just as good but Congupna crept away winning 51 to 39. Sharni Hazelman was the worthy winner of the Fosters award.
A big thank you to the following players who played this week when “wedding matters” took their toll on our playing numbers:
Trudy Brooks, Spencer Brooks, Marlie Knight and Paige Eddy. Hopefully the day wasn’t too daunting and you will consider becoming regular players when you can.
Don’t forget tonight we have the Players’ Auction @ the Golf Club, commencing at 7:30pm. Come up and have a meal beforehand, and get your syndicates together to purchase some great groups. Let’s also celebrate the terrific wins we have today against the Blues!!!!
If we’re behind, we’ll never mind, we’ll fight and fight to win!!!!! Go Hawks!!!!!