With most sides doing well, expectations were high as we made our way west to take on the Rams at Deni. Unfortunately, we were given lessons in all grades of football and netball, with only A Grade and the C Graders coming away successful.
The Seniors were taking centre stage to redeem their first round loss to the Rams. A couple of late changes still gave them a stable side to contest with. Kicking with the aide of a 4 goal breeze, the Hawks didn't use this to advantage and in a fiery opening term, honours went to the Rams. The floodgates opened in the second, with the Rams going on a goal-scoring rampage. Poor decision making and glaring skill errors, plus the inability to run with their fleet-footed opponents, meant Deni went into the long break 56 points up. The boys came out and played a much better standard in the 3rd quarter, winning it 3.0 to 1.2. Although this was the case, they still found themselves 45 points in arrears. With pride at stake, the boys were still confident of causing an upset. This was short lived as the Rams came out and kicked the first goal of the last within the first minute of the quarter's commencement. Smashing the Hawks all over the park, Deni went on to record a comfortable 76 point thrashing, the second one by them for the season and, in doing so, kept their finals hopes alive while causing the Hawks to slip down into 3rd position on the ladder. Some soul-searching to be done over the week before we meet the old rival, Cobram, who are still in the mix. Better players on a sad day for the Hawks were Marcus AH at CHF, Robbo who busted his gut to inspire his team-mates, the Rock Forsyth, Hydey, Rowdy and TOD.
The Reserves, who were minus a dozen of their better players and calling on the likes of U17s (who had already played a full game) and one D. Bowden!!!, were given a footballing lesson by a more desperate Rams' side. From start to finish, the Hawks were simply outgunned by the Rams. 2 losses from their last 3 games has them in danger of missing one of the top two spots and they will also need to rectify things quickly as they have a couple of big games coming up. Players who could hold their head up for the day were Randy Connors at Fullback, Rhys Ferrett, Bosnich McNeill, Joffa Elleray, Jono and Rob Ryan. The U17s might as well stayed at home and put their feet up near the fire as they were smashed unmercifully by the unbeaten Rams. The evidence was in the scoreline where the Hawks had no answer to quell the onslaught, finally being put out of their misery when the final siren sounded, beaten by a massive 136 points! Artie tried his hardest to keep the Hawks competitive, along with Bryce Stephens, Daniel Davis, Tom Butler, Xavier Hunt and Ryan Welch. The U14s game saw the 4th placed Hawks come up against the 2nd placed Rams and, in a very even contest, the boys went down by 3 goals. They played some consistent footy across the 4 quarters, which actually saw them take a 3 point lead into the long break. Unfortunately they couldn't maintain that effort in the second half and, as a result, succumbed to a better side by 18 points. Light at the end of the tunnel for Coach Dunn and his side, having pushed the better sides in the comp. A couple of player unavailabilities didn't help matters! Buffa Smith was sensational all day and lead from the front. He was well supported by Rhino Foster, Sam Rennie, Tom McNeill, Cal L-D and Hary Foster.
In the netball, the A Grade girls had a terrific win and, although they haven't had much success, still find themselves only a game and a half out of the 6!!! Win their remaining games and who knows what might happen. Mackella Armfield, who had come back east to finish school and the season without her family (great effort for someone so young!!!), was ajudged BOC. In a topsy-turvy B Grade game, the girls relinquished a good lead and eventually went down by 9 goals. The wheels have fallen off over the last couple of games and the girls have to find that spark which had them right in the mix earlier in the season. Caitlin Mills gave everything she could but didn't have enough mates the go along with her. C Grade continue to cement their spot in the 6, with another strong win, 51 to 26. Playing good, consistent netball at present. Linda Forrester lead the charge to receive the player's award. C Reserve nearly made it two in succession, being narrowly defeated by 2 goals, 40 to 38. Maddie Allen had a great game over the 4 quarters. Like their U17 footballing counterparts, the netball side might as well saved themselves a trip as they got pumped by Deni, 77 to 14. Huge game this week against the Tigers, as the loser will take the wooden spoon! No award given. The 15s went down to a more competent side in a very good game, 36 to 28, with Emma Brooks having a top game. The U13s were outplayed by a very skillful Rams side, given a 25 goal smashing! Alannah Quirk and Maggie Kelly did their best in a pretty ordinary effort by the side. The U11s game was a terrific display by both sides, with the Hawks ending up on the wrong side of the ledger, 24 to 15, but better off for the experience. Cody Millsteed was given the encouragement award for her efforts during the game.
After 2 weeks on the road, the Hawks return to the Nest to take on the old foe, Cobram. Lot of analysis required to find out where it all went wrong this week and turn it around pretty quickly so we get back on track to finish the season off well.
Give them nothing.........but take from them EVERYTHING!!!!
Last Modified on 12/07/2009 09:27