Eye off finals

After three consecutive years of playing off in a grand final and having won a Mininera and District Football League premiership in 2016, Tatyoon finished fifth in season 2017.

The club, with 11 wins for the season, lost the last three games of its homeand-away season and was then knocked out in the first week in an elimination final.

The Hawks will be keen to build and maintain form right to the finish this year.

Simon Brearley, who has previously coached at Natimuk United and Nhill, has come on board as new senior coach, taking over from Adrian Pilgrim who is now involved with the TAC Western Jets in a coaching role.

However, Pilgrim has not left the club and in being a key player, the club will be keen to have him play whenever he is available.

Pilgrim was a key player for the Hawks last year, leading the goal-scoring with 51 goals and averaging more than 3.5 a game.

Along with locals Jarrod Blandford, Sean Mcdougall, David Brady and Mitch Cronin, he was a massive part of the team’s core.

Brady was the club’s runner-up best and fairest, and Blandford and Mcdougall Seniors: Simon Brearley Reserves: Tim Barr, Craig Wells Under-16.5s: Lachlan and Tyson Marr

have been consistently among best players for the Hawks for many years.

Both continue to lead the team with their experience. A massive blow for the club will be the loss of Mitch Cronin, who was the club’s 2017 best and fairest and second leading goal-scorer. He is going to Minyip-murtoa.

Tyler Cronin, who is heading to the Ararat Rats along with Jake Williamson, are also major losses.

There have not been many new recruits for the Hawks at this stage, however, they have had some notable returns in Jack Fraser, Matt Pell and Joe Gibson as well as the big return of 2014 league leading goal-kicker Steven Butler.

Looking to improve on last year, the Hawks are hoping to play finals in all grades and develop their under-16.5 list to continue club improvement and get themselves back up to being the powerhouse they were.

Although on paper the recruit list for Tatyoon seems light, history would certainly suggest it would be unwise to count the Hawks out at any stage of the season.

The side will continue to be one to watch.