By Tara Murray
Woodend-Hesket’s season remains alive after a strong four quarter performance against Romsey in the Riddell District Football League.
A loss would have ended Woodend-Hesket’s finals hopes, while cementing Romsey’s spot in the top six.
With everything on the line, the Hawks meant business. They looked the better side in the first half but weren’t able to convert it on scoreboard.
That changed after the main break as they kicked 10 goals to two to run away with the 16.14 (110)-7.11 (53) win.
Hawks playing coach Tom Carland said winning was the main aim for the week.
He said they possibly got the Redbacks at the right time, coming off two tough matches against top five sides.
“Last time we played them it was one of our low-lights of the year, and we’ve had a few of them,” Carland said.
“I think we over sighted a couple of games and looked too far forward to this game.
“But when it finally came around to it, the boys didn’t miss their opportunity.
“We just played real good footy, the boys wanted to come back and stand up.
“We played better football for the day, but we didn’t put it on the scoreboard earlier.”
Carland said the key to the win was the work rate of their group, which showed in the number of run-down tackles they had.
He said Tyson Chapman was the clear standout for his job on shutting down Ayden Tessari.
“He smashed him and had Tessari in two minds all the time whether to get in front of the two big fellows or go to Tyson. It took away a lot of his drive, it was a big win.”
The win is the Hawks first against Romsey since 2008.
The result leaves Woodend-Hesket a game outside the top six, behind Romsey, with two rounds remaining.
Both teams have a similar run home, they both face the form team of the competition Riddell and one of the bottom three sides, meaning the Hawks need an upset win in the final round against Riddell to have a chance of finishing in the top six.
If Romsey wins this week against the Bombers it will end the Hawks finals hopes.
Carland said it was pretty simple what they had to do in the last couple of rounds.
“They [Romsey] can afford to drop one, but we have to win both and then it could come down to percentage,” he said.
“The last couple of weeks we will have to make decisions at selection, which we haven’t had to do all season.”
In other results, Wallan was able to hold off Diggers Rest. It was all the Magpies in the first half as the Burras kicked one goal.
The Burras levelled the scored in the last quarter, before the Magpies went on to win 10.7 (67)-8.16 (64).
Broadford got its first win of the season, defeating Rockbank 13.14 (92)-9.13 (67).
Rupertswood, Riddell and Macedon all had big wins against Lancefield, Sunbury Kangaroos and Melton Centrals, respectively.
