Hard-hitting battle

GDFL Hawks dominate, but Tigers put up a fight

SUCH was the variety of drama from start to finish on Saturday that the sudden return of Inverleigh goalkicker Jak Kennedy-Hunt was almost swept under the rug by quarter time.

The Hawks again flexed their premiership muscle in the 58-point win over Bannockburn to remain clear at the top of the GDFL ladder.

But the 18.12 (120) to 8.14 (62) result was highlighted by its tough and rugged nature.

Another chapter was added to the rivalry between these two flag contenders, with two reports and a host of key names added to the injury list as the battle of attrition intensified.

Inverleigh star Michael Best and Bannockburn’s Brent Jacques were both reported for striking in separate incidents.

Not only did KennedyHunt make a surprise return from a quad injury, but Dalton Grundell also ran out after receiving a stay of proceedings that allowed him to play.

Grundell was suspended for three matches on Tuesday night for charging in last week’s win over Winchelsea, but is appealing the sanction in a hearing to take place this Wednesday.

“It was probably the most physical game that we’ve had all year, so it was good that we were able to stand up to that physical pressure,” Inverleigh coach Mark McDowell said.

Simon Seddon (hamstring), Justin Baxter (corky) and James Huybens (knocked teeth) were all out of action by the final quarter, while Jordan Drew was take to hospital with concussion.

Rob Logue (rib) and Jack Fiolet (knock) played on through the pain, after the Hawks grabbed the ascendancy by halftime thanks to a six-goal-to-one second term.

Such was the dominance of the Hawks’ remaining ball winners — from Toby Manganelli and Nathan Mayes, who kicked five goals — McDowell found it hard to name a best six.

“We had about 10 players to pick without anyone really standing out as the best, and even (Brandon) Nankivell played a great role on Jacques,” he said.

“Billy Cations has also really held up down back as well.”

Seddon, who finished with 28 disposals, is likely to join captains Justin Di Blasio (hamstring) and Ryan Garrard (glute), as well as Jason Bourke (achillies tendon) and Ben Bouwman (thumb) on the sidelines.

Kennedy-Hunt also looks to be a concern after being held to one goal, which he kicked early in the game.

“We’ve been thinking that we were close to our best 22 all year, but again we couldn’t quite field it today, so hopefully it will be ready come finals time,” McDowell said. Riccardi said. “We’ll have a look at the incident but, at the time, we had to just fly the flag (as every club does) and focus on the final term.

“It was simply guys pumping their chests out, grabbing each other and saying ‘I’m tougher than you’ and nothing else to it. There was just no need for it.

“We just calmed the boys down because no one is going to win from it, it’s footy, it’s not WrestleMania 35.” Belmont Lions —