DarlingDowns.AFLQ.com.au take a look at each of the regions clubs, in a season review. We take a look at each teams season, best players, the clubs gun, star in the making and much more.
The Wash-Up: Goondiwindi Hawks
It was another season of constant improvement for the Hawks, as the club expanded into the rapidly growing Women's competition and the clubs men's side appeared in the finals series for the second year straight after another good campaign.
Division 1 competition superstar and captain Jeremy Leahy was finally rewarded for his outstanding form with the 44th Holman Medal.
Numerous senior (male and female) along with a number of junior players played representative footy with men's player David O'Toole representing South Queensland against North Queensland back in June. The club was one of a handful of clubs to run their own NAB AFL Auskick program and continue to lead the way with their first class, community orientated off-field culture.
Best and Fairest Winners, Predictions
U12's - Braeden Hill
U14's - Gilbert Bell
Womens - Jessica Bell
Div 1 - Jeremy Leahy
The HAWKS Gun
Gilbert Bell - Had a fantastic season that included 12 games for the Hawks, 6 for the DD Crows booted 4 goals and brought up 100 career games since his debut in 2010. The defensive mind set midfielder can run all day and is a natural hunter of the footy. Big future ahead for this star from west of St George.
Keep an eye on
Matthew Brown - The Hawks young-ruck, came into his own in the second half of the division 1 season and was an important cog in Goondiwindi's finals appearance. With 70 games under his belt including a 2 year stint in the VAFA with Old Carey Grammarians, Brown at 22 is coming into his prime.
Under 12's Review
With a 4 - 11 record the season, the young Hawks showed glimpses that they are stars in the making. Their wins came against Chinchilla (3 times) and country rivals Warwick. It was the Redback's win which was the Hawks season highlight.
Winning by 50-points and Inglewood based player Henry Hubber booting 7 majors in an all-round team performance that lifted the Hawk faithful.
Hubber was also the highest Hawk vote getter in the Peltz Medal count and no doubt will be up there once again when the club votes are read out. Keep an eye on these young Hawkies.
Under 14's Review
With just the 1 win for the season, on-field results weren't overly successful but that one win against Warwick in round 14 is one the green and gold would remember.
It was a hard-fought 13-point win at home, that the Hawks led from start to finish.
Ayden Bate, Gilbert Bell, Connor Bate and Braeden Hill were just some of the more consistent contributors for the 2014 season. Bate and Bell will share the leading goal scorer for 2014. With one of the largest travel quotas of any team, the young Hawks can hold their head high as this side has a number of stars in the making.
Women's Review
It was an impressive debut season for the green and gold, making the final 4 and playing finals is an outstanding feat in itself. The Hawks finished the home and away season with a 4 – 7 record plus a draw against eventual finals opponents Coolaroo.
Jessica Bell polled the best during the Heather Green Medal count and have abundant of potential future stars. Bethany McLaughlin showed she has a bright future and a player to watch, as she impressed with just 5 games for the season. The Hawks had two players in Gab Ayre and Mikaela Bell named in the inaugural Women’s representative side, with both players contributing in the big 174-point victory.
Unfortunately the Hawks went down to an impressive Roos outfit in the Blackchrome Cup Elimination Final to end their season. However, with a good core base of players, few new recruits for 2015 watch out for Goondiwindi.
Division 1 Review
Goondiwindi snuck under the radar all season and it wasn't until the last week of the home and away season that they locked in a finals appearance.
The Hawks had three out of four players finish in the top 3 of the Holman Medal count, showing their depth. Goondiwindi were able to get several games out of veterans, bring in juniors to play important games in their development and were very well coached.
Jardine was the leading goal scorer for the season with 57 majors and of the Hawks 10 wins, no doubt none was any sweeter than the round 17 when they buried South Toowoomba by 42 points and all but secure a finals berth.
However the round 11, 11-point victory over arch-rivals University at home would of been one the Hawks faithful would of enjoyed.
The views in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of AFL Darling Downs, the club or players mentioned in the above.
Last Modified on 20/10/2014 11:46
