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Men’s Seniors v Power House
After a disappointing loss to Canterbury last week, and back on home turf, the Hawks were ready to spread their wings and swoop on a victory against Power House.
With six changes to the team (including one late change), the new-look Hawthorn outfit started strongly, with characteristic pressure and sharp ball movement. These efforts were bolstered by continuous defensive efforts from half-backs Josh Shannon and Sam Peet, and slick transitions into the forward half. However, the Hawks were having issues capitalising on these full ground efforts and were wasteful going forward.
The second quarter continued along the same line, with Luke McLeod and Harry Lewis’ composure under pressure instrumental to the Hawk’s continued dominance. Losing Harry Rand (with a suspected knee injury) early in the second was a significant blow for Hawthorn but the boys were able to rally and maintain the lead going into half time.
Playing two men down (with an injury to Cooper Rule early in the quarter), the Hawks flexed their muscles and through James Betlehem’s continuous efforts in the ruck, began to really dominate play, kicking fifty points clear by the twenty minute mark of the third term. However, Power House were not out of the contest yet, effectively overwhelming the Hawks and, continuing into the final quarter.
This culminated in the scores drawing level at the twenty minute mark of the final quarter, but, after a moment of tension for the Hawks, they rallied and were able to wrestle back the lead. With sensational efforts from James Southby - playing what Senior Coach Mark Murray lauded as his “best game for the club” - the Hawks were able to gain a twenty six point lead and eventually run out twenty point winners.
Senior Coach Mark Murray praised the team’s ability to adjust and regain control late in the final term and asserted that when the team plays consistently, they are virtually unbeatable.
The Hawks will look to continue their form and secure three wins from four rounds when they face Richmond Central at the second Nest in Box Hill for the Wings Round Match.
HAWTHORN
4.6. 7.9. 11.14 15.20 (110)
POWER HOUSE
0.3 3.10 7.11 12.18 (90)
GOALS W. Meehan 4, H. Lewis 2, C. Lee 2, J. Kenny 2, W. Ryan, H. Smith, S. Dicintio, R. Brennan, E. Harvey
BEST L. McLeod, J. Southby, J. Kenny, S. Peet, W. Meehan
Men’s Reserves v Power House
Taking on Power House, the Hawks were keen to record a win on Saturday. Not only to assert themselves firmly in the premiership conversation but also to pay homage to both Liam Clancey and John Farah, who were playing game 50 and 150 respectively. The Hawks did just that, with an incredible roving play from Ben Tekin to deliver the ball right to the man of the hour, John Farah, who kicked the opening goal within fifteen seconds to herald the start of a huge milestone match.
The Hawks utilised both of their key forwards, with Farah and Big H hitting the scoreboard early (and finishing the day with four goals apiece) and providing consistent headaches for the Power House defence. Gaining the advantage right from the source, the Hawks owned the clearances; the combination of Harold’s superior ruck work and the roving efforts by Tekin and his fellow midfielders proved to be lethal for the opposition.
The second quarter was by far the Hawks’ best, managing to keep Power House scoreless in that term. Utilising Theo “The Bont” Ktnes’ intercept marking ability and the defensive line’s communication, the Hawks dominated in this term, the hard work ultimately setting them up for victory.
The hard work continued into the second half, with tackling efforts from Xavier Bryham and Noah Fry illustrating that the Hawks wanted the win more, and were willing to do the one percenters in order to achieve victory. With a 17 point lead going into the final term, the Hawks were in need of some final quarter brilliance to seal the victory. And that is exactly what they got; the Hawks lifted across the ground, working together with slick ball movement and repeated efforts to cinch the win.
Reserves Coach Tim Chapman applauded the Hawks efforts, noting that their ability to switch the ball was instrumental to their victory. Chapman further commented that “Wins are never easy, they are earned through hard work. We worked hard and got the result we wanted,” on a day where the club celebrated two milestones for two beloved Hawks. The Reserves now look towards this week’s match against Richmond Central, where the whole club will play consecutively in honour of the Wings Round for mental health.
HAWTHORN
5.1 6.5 10.7 14.8 (92)
POWER HOUSE
4.3 4.3 7.8 8.10 (58)
GOALS J. Farah 4, H. Kothari 4, S. Neohoritis 2, X. Bryham, L. Clancey, T. Wilkinson, B. Tekin
BEST X. Bryham, B. Tekin, D. Sheahan, J. Farah, L. Clancey
Women’s Seniors v Monash Blues
The Hawks stepped onto the ground on a chilly afternoon looking to find the consistency missing from their game in the previous week and notch a win against a strong opponent in the Monash University Blues.
The game started evenly, with an interesting midfield battle taking place. The backline was, once again, under enormous pressure from the first bounce, with ruck/defender Steph Nicholls standing up at full back and fighting strongly for each ball that entered defensive fifty.
Despite this, by the second quarter, the Blues had gained full-ground dominance, preying on Hawthorn’s indecision and utilising their run to hurt the Hawks on the scoreboard. The backline, undersized and a player down, defended with grit, and with help from midfielders like Alex “Dirty” Crough (whose speed, ball sense and ferocity were on full display), were able to limit the Blues’ scoreboard impact. Going into halftime sore and disappointed in their first half, the Hawks rallied in the second half, vowing to honour the jumper and play for each other.
The third quarter showcased some strong ruck work from Bree Young, who owned the taps, and switching Holly du Plessis from the forward line to the centre circle proved to be a masterstroke from Senior Coach Simon Brownhill, with her strength, grit and experience providing the Hawks midfield with some much-needed support. These efforts were capitalised on by Mia Mathias, who scored her first goal in the Brown and Gold with a beautiful long-range shot that inspired joy on the bench as it sailed through.
The final quarter was owned by Emmy Johnson, her desperation, smarts and ability to trap the ball like it and her hands were magnets from the same set, pulling the Hawks through to the end of the game.
With a second goal to Mathias in the final term, the Hawks, despite being defeated, were able to minimise the scoreboard damage and build on the positives for their Wings Round match this week.
MONASH BLUES
2.5 4.10 5.14 11.15 (81)
HAWTHORN
0.0 0.0 1.0 2.0 (12)
GOALS M.Mathias,2
BEST A. Crough, S. Nicholls, M. Mathias, B. Young, E. Johnson, H. du Plessis
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