Inverleigh coach will apply the blowtorch

THERE are no more lifelines for Inverleigh after the Hawks were held to their lowest score since 2013 in a disappointing second semifinal against Bannockburn.

The 6.11 (47) scoreline will sting the Hawks. After sitting on top of the table with a 16-1 record, they have lost two of their past three games, forcing Inverleigh coach Mark McDowell to put the heat on his players to respond.

“Our turnovers hurt us, we were well beaten at the centre clearances (particularly in the second quarter) and we ended up with a seven-goal defeat,” McDowell said.

“It will be up to our boys now to see how well they want to respond from this.”

Inverleigh entered as favourite with a full-strength side featuring all seven Hawks who were selected in the team of the year.

However the league’s highest-scoring side proved inaccurate after half-time, with Nathan Mayes the only goalkicker in the second half.

“I felt we won our first game against Bannockburn decisively because we put them away in the second quarter that day and then in the second game we still won but they really brought it to us,” McDowell said.

“But Bannockburn’s side was a lot different then with (Tim) Arklay, (Jason) Tom, (Matt) Tyquin and (Luke) Gavin in the side this time.”

While Inverleigh’s midfielders made some uncharacteristic errors, the focus remained on the side’s backline brigade.

“I thought early in the game Nick Walsh had to be stronger. I told him to tighten up in that area, but in the end I don’t believe he was convincingly beaten by (Jason) Tom,” McDowell said.

“So I was pretty happy with him along with another three of our defenders including Jack Fiolet, who I actually thought was our best player.”

Hawk Jordan Drew was hospitalised in the second quarter as a result of a hit and remains uncertain for selection for the preliminary final, while Justin DiBlasio was also absent in the final term with concussion.

But the Hawks’ reserves won their second semi-final over Thomson, allowing McDowell to hand-pick his line-up from a full available squad this week.

“We have a number of players from the seconds who have missed out in recent weeks, they will now get an opportunity this Saturday,” McDowell said.