`E.J's Army' Savage Kangaroos
Move over Barmy Army... move over the Aussie Fanatics... better yet... move over Dad's Army because we have a new road show in town and they are the best thing since sliced bread... put it up in bright lights 'E.J's Army'! The Under 18's under the guidance of Lachy Whitton and Matt Stevens have shown pure ruthless aggression against every opposition and have outclassed every challenge they've faced this season and making them hot property. On a weekend where the farmers were cheering for the heavens to rain... Gilbert Gordon found it's original form as a swamp but that didn't stop the journey of the day's play showcasing some really exciting football.
Kar Weng Ng jumps off a plane, straight into a training drill and running full steam into a Centre position in the Reserves side... hasn't this man ever heard of 'jet-lag'? An extended summer in the Caribbean on a luxury cruise, watching the odd 7 games in the cricket world cup... while all of his team mates are slaving away at training, running many kilometres and winning games... meanwhile, the only running 'Ninga' did was getting to the best deck chair out by the pool before anyone else ... we're jealous of his luxury cruise but glad to have him back!
Whispers start floating around on the big possible return of Dan Sipthorp to Hawks colours... but what happened to the buzz surrounding Skipper Adam Johnstone and bash brother David 'Tacka' Patterson to the line-up? No questions asked... no ticket tape parade... no gift basket... just back to business. After 2 games settling back into the Gold and Brown stripes, they're back performing at their best!
Round 7 of season 2007 is under way and the Under 18's are in full flight. Matt 'Chucka' Burke, Shane 'Donk' Bowen, Jesse ' Shep' Sheppard and Ben Shippard have returned to the club after an outstanding and brave effort in the Under 18 Interleague competition in Werribee on Wednesday night and while facing strong competition, should be praised for giving their best on the night! Well done guys!
In trying to figure out the logic on why 'E.J's Army' have landed a game against the Kangaroos, Will "Wibur "Stewart Toner repeats his sensational effort from the week before by kicking the first goal of the game before the logic is still being discovered. The efforts to get Will in the line-up have paid enormous dividends after achieving the amazing feat of scoring a goal with his first kick at the club against Diggers Rest.
The Hawks nail the first three and the Kanga's hit back hard. A Scuffle towards quarter time has the Cerebral Pest Luke Deutscher sent off. With Jim Chettle nearby, the urgency to support such a controversial send off had steam coming from the ears, but with an automatic suspension and bulls-eye placed on his head, the Kettle didn't boil. The 2nd quarter is tight in the clinches and no-one is conceding an inch. Roo danger man Paul Newton is getting plenty of the ball but not near enough to the goals. A gutsy effort by the team has them 2 goals up at the main break.
The rain was pencilled to drill in at some stage during the day, but it didn't stop the gates of heaven opening with buckets of goals as Jimmy Hepburn had a 2nd half to remember. His opponent must have thought his day was going well to half time with two kicks resulting in two goals from the Wizard, but if he was wishing on a rain cloud to keep the slow start continuing in the 2nd half, he got goals instead, a lazy 6 in the second half alone! The Hawk's 2nd halves this season have been a treat this season as they slay the Sunbury team like a dragon by kicking 12 goals to one after leading by 2 goals at the main break. John 'Junior' Millard, 'President' Clinton Sammut, Kris Wearne and 'Wilbur' Will Stewart-Toner... where did these guys come from because they are oozing with new class to the team!
The Seconds team came out to play in real torrid conditions. Players were keen to get muddy early and make mud angels in the slush but that didn't stop the relentless attack at the ball from both sides. Brian Wood stepped up for his first official game in Hawk's colours in the ruck and was influential from the first bounce. Justin 'Hotrod' Rodda again played outstanding aggressive football. He spoke earlier this season that his only previous football experience was a few handy games for Braemar College in school representative competition... I didn't know they taught Pure Courage as a class because he has lots of it. Matt Law and Paul 'Puzza' Vella are constantly bobbing around the goal mouth and the 'Big Mauritian' Christian Braddy is starring at both ends of the ground with fantastic efforts up forward in the first half and then shutting down Kilmore's genuine Full Forward threat in the 2nd half... has anyone likened him to Steve Silvagni from Carlton... a star at full back and holding down the gun full forward while more than capable of going forward and kicking 6 or 7 goals... could we be well seeing the new S.O.S (Son of Stu)? The coaching staff is no doubt enjoying using him as the giant killing Queen piece on their chess board.
The end result was a good 4 goal win in a great contest between two strong sides. Brett "Sheabo" Shea is again knocking on the door of senior selection with another outstanding performance.
The day's Main Event saw a star studded performance from the Senior Hawks outfit as they pushed off a gritty effort from Kilmore who are the big improvers of season 2007. Gidd's approach of taking the season one game at a time is proving great dividends as the team adapt to dismantle sides limb from limb as they inflicted Kilmore's greatest loss for the season in a good game from both sides. 'Pistol' Pete Manser had all gun's blazing as he ran the Blues into the ground with his silky pace... it looks as though he as unlimited ammunition as he continues to blow all opposition away with his trusty right boot.
Rick Dowling, Jim Forrest and Andrew 'Funnel' Fennell are in fine flight... soaring on anything that moves... just like a real Hawk as they shared in the goals. The loss of Liam 'Burgundy' O'Meara up forward has showed little difficulty as R.D continues to kick his regulation 4 goals a game. Darko was off the ground early with a mystery injury and it was time for someone to fly the flag for the team. Pete Manser took this act literally as he went for a 3rd Quarter high flying mark, but didn't take the chocolates. Gidds' pumps up the tyres for his charges at the main change and they drive away with the game kicking 11 goals to two and record an emphatic 12 goal win, the ideal way to bounce back after the club's first loss of the year to Sunbury the week prior.
Well done Hawks!
HawkEye
Last Modified on 11/02/2008 21:42