Bill West
Big ruckman Tim Martin, a dual Michelsen Medal winner for Sandhurst, showed on Saturday he will be a huge asset to Woodend-Hesket’s push to reach the Riddell League finals this season.
Martin won the Michelsen in 2013 and 2014, and was best afield for Banyule against Eltham in the 2022 grand final.
He was also best afield in his first match on Gilbert Gordon Oval on Saturday, and should improve further as the season progresses.
May be worth going to Romsey this Saturday to see how Martin deals with the challenge from the Redbacks’ ruck duo of Matt Huy and Ben Way!
Woodend-Hesket’s talented smaller brigade, including Ethan Minns, Daniel Toman, and Sam Medland, must be excited to have Martin as a Hawk.
In Saturday’s match, which was scrappy and congested at times, the Hawks were never going to lose against Melton Centrals, but both sides struggled to score goals for much of the match.
Only five goals came in the first half, and the final score in favour of the Hawks was 8.9 (57) to 2.7 (19).
Romsey, with the irrepressible Jack Jedwab kicking eight goals, demolished Western Rams by 105 points, with speedster Aaron Paterson again having an influence.
The Hawks could put quality defender Marcus close to Jedwab on Saturday.
Redbacks’ coach Justin Sherman has had the Redbacks in training since mid-November and is confident team plans are working out, as shown when beating Riddell on May 6.
Riddell faced another tough test at home to Diggers Rest on Saturday, with the visitors leading throughout after a 5.3 first-term burst.
The final margin was 15 points, with Diggers Rest avenging last season’s grand final defeat.
The Bombers will probably welcome having the bye this Saturday, then return for two very winnable games before taking on Wallan.
Lancefield, after a win over Melton Centrals, welcomed Macedon under lights on Saturday evening.
The Cats, still without injured captain Jason Cook, were happy to break through for their first win, with Hamish Govan (ex-Kyneton) turning in a top game, while defender Luke Fellowes and skipper Tom Waters were again in the Tigers’ best.
150th BOOK SOON
Lancefield play at Wallan on Saturday, and are gearing up for the launch of the club’s special 150th History Book at the match against Romsey on May 27.
A highlight will be the senior team wearing a replica of Lancefield’s first premiership team from 1888.
The guernsey will carry the name and number of each of the players from the 1888 team on the sash.
Lancefield’s A-grade netballers will wear a replica of the first netball dress Lancefield ever donned.
