Inaccuracy still a problem for Hawks
INVERLEIGH coach Mark McDowell concedes his side’s inaccuracy remains a point of concern, despite a thumping 144-point win over East Geelong.
The Hawks bounced back after a disappointing loss last week to reigning premier Bell Post Hill, but again had issues in front of goal in the win over the Eagles.
McDowell’s men booted 2.6 in a lacklustre first quarter before blowing the visitors away at Inverleigh Recreation Reserve.
“They really put a lot of pressure on us in the first quarter and caused hectic football,” McDowell said.
“Once we got through the first quarter we settled down and gained some composure and we started to go about our business.”
Star forwards Jak Kennedy-Hunt and Simon Seddon caused headaches for the East Geelong defenders, bagging 13 goals between them.
“They’re two really tough matchups,” McDowell said.
“Seddon’s a smaller player but he’s really good in the air. He’s an immaculate kick and a real livewire. Jak, of course, is strong, good on the lead and he’s a good kick.
“They will be a couple of tough match-ups for Thomson.”
McDowell admitted the loss to the Panthers hurt his players, who went to sleep in a brief period that cost them the game.
“It stung, but again, I go back to a Conor McGregor quote: ‘You either win or you learn’ and what we needed to learn from it was if we keep kicking poorly at goal, and our efficiency is poor, it’s going to cost us games and it has.
“The other thing we had to work on was our accountability. You can’t lapse for 15 minutes and let a side like Bell Post Hill run over you.”
Despite the slip-up, McDowell is confident his side is back to its best. “We’re going well,” he said. “I think our form has been pretty good.
“You’ve got to remember, Bell Post Hill has played in the last 10 grand finals and won seven of them. They’re a quality side, we were playing them at home and we had a bad patch of about 10 minutes where they scooted out to a seven-goal lead.
“We came hard at them and should’ve won the game, but we didn’t.”
MEANWHILE, a 9.6 (60) to 0.0 (0) opening quarter from Winchelsea was be enough for the Blues to secure an 89-point win over North Geelong.
Barwon Heads recruit William Ford led the way with six goals for the home side.
BELL Post Hill annihilated Corio by 180 points, with Jayden Ettridge having a day out with 13 goals.
It marked the third time the Panthers broke the 200-point barrier (final score of 37.14 (236) under second-year coach Brad Martin.
GEELONG West edged closer to the top five with a 28-point win over Belmont Lions. Under the lights at West Oval, the Giants opened the game up with a blistering six-goal-toone second quarter to run out winners.