Bill West
A stunning second-half performance enabled Woodend-Hesket senior footballers to demolish reigning premiers Riddell by six goals on Good Friday.
Hawks’ players and supporters were over the moon after the clash at Gilbert Gordon Oval, where the visiting Bombers could not kick a goal in the entire second half.
The first match of the Riddell League season for both drew a very large crowd, with parking space at a premium.
“We’re back, we’re back” shouted skipper Josh Grabham as the close-knit contingent of Riddell players ran onto and circled the ground before the match began.
There was plenty of intensity and both sides found it hard to penetrate and score as rain tumbled down for much of the first half.
Both teams fielded some proven players and some newcomers, and Riddell coach Justin Belleville told his players at quarter-time he was confident their tackling and application would eventually prove too much for the Hawks.
KENNEDY HELPING
Woodend-Hesket has been boosted off-field with the presence of experienced non-playing coach Paul Kennedy, who transferred from Romsey. Kennedy is seen as an ideal backup for playing coach Josh Pound.
Recruit Sam Medland kicked the Hawks’ first goal, and Bomber Matt Panuccio ‘returned home’ and made his presence felt after spending a premiership season with Gisborne. Former skipper Hayden Ross is also back with the Bombers.
The Hawks have most of their 2022 list available, and the first half was a virtual stalemate, with only five goals coming and the Hawks ahead by a goal.
There were all the earmarks of a close contest, and the drizzly rain eased and Woodend-Hesket grew in confidence. Mick Edwards was a great premiership player for the Bombers, and his presence was sorely missed.
Also, some of the very speedy Riddell players could be better suited to a dry ground and what they come up with against Macedon this weekend is being awaited with extreme interest.
By three-quarter-time the Hawks had the match wrapped up, with the confidence level continuing to rise.
With noisy supporters encouraging them to greater heights, the Hawks outscored the Bombers 3.3 to two points in the final quarter.
There was wild elation as the Hawks left the arena, and coach Pound’s recent prediction that they are here to match it with the big sides (Riddell, Diggers Rest and Wallan) may yet have plenty of credence. Further improvement is anticipated.
Last season the Hawks just missed out on the finals; this time they can prove they are fair dinkum contenders judging by the dedicated team effort on Saturday.
At the same time it would be irresponsible to write-off Riddell; it’s a long home and away season and the Bombers have the capacity to put this defeat behind them, at the same time knowing they have a target on their back being the flag holders.
Afterwards, Josh Pound was very pleased to be able to accept the Cup sponsored by Raine and Horne for the winners of this match.
The Hawks also had their season launch with entertainment on Friday evening.
Earlier, Riddell hung on grimly to win the Reserves match by four points, and the 19 and Under Hawks had a sizeable victory.
