Hawks warn best to come
DRYSDALE coach Wade Chapman has revealed his side will only get stronger in the wake of Saturday’s 47-point win over Queenscliff.
Stunning the Coutas on their home deck, Chapman forecast a host of inclusions for the Hawks as they prepare for a much-improved Anglesea this weekend.
Chapman was quick to heap praise on his team, which burst out of the blocks at Queenscliff Recreation Reserve to record a confidence-boosting win.
“It was an even contribution across the board,” Chapman said.
“When we were trying to pick the best players, it was very hard to pick six because everyone did their bit and we had 22 contributors.
“It was quite pleasing to get the season off to a win. In the last couple of years we’ve been 0-3, so we made a conscious effort to start the year off with a win. It was a good result.”
While Queenscliff had a host of injury concerns, leaving coach Steve Clark without a bench for much of the second half, Drysdale was also far from full strength.
“We’ve got a few guys out ourselves that would be in our best side, too,” Chapman said.
“Our No. 1 ruckman Damian Hoare didn’t play and neither did Adam Nolan and Matt Pigott, so we’ve got some good players to come back.
“Every team has improved their list and it’s always hard to beat Queenscliff over there. I just thought with our pre-season that we’d start the year well.
“We had four competitive practice matches, and not everyone played in those, but I thought we were ready for Round 1.”
The Hawks also got through the match unscathed on the injury front, while blooding young talent.
“Some of our younger guys, Niall Gee and Pete Kilpatrick, played their first games and they can still play under-19s,” Chapman said.
“They really adapted well to senior footy against some seasoned campaigners, so that was pleasing.
“Guys like Benny Ryan and Josh Hopgood, who have been playing senior footy for the last four of five years, played the best games I’d seen them play so there were a lot of positives come out of it.
“Now we’ve got a big challenge when we take on Anglesea, another club who has recruited well. They’ve got some match-winners across every line. We’re looking forward to it.” BARWON Heads got its season off to a flyer, thrashing a hapless Newcomb by 150 points.
With recruit Mitch Phelps bagging 11 goals, the Seagulls ran rampant at Howard Harmer Oval to register a solid percentage.
Inaccuracy was a problem for Barwon Heads, however, booting 25.27.
The Power managed just 12 scoring shots, kicking 3.9 in a disappointing showing.
Not surprisingly, Phelps was named best afield for Barwon Heads, while Kane Parish tried hard for Newcomb. OCEAN Grove opened its account in impressive fashion, belting Portarlington at Ray Menzies Oval.
Kelly Williams was instrumental for the Grubbers, earning best-onground honours, while Jake Carmody slotted three goals in a solid return.
The 83-point win propelled Ocean Grove to the top of the ladder.