Tara Murray
Woodend-Hesket was left with mixed reactions after coming away with a draw against Wallan in the Riddell District Football League on Saturday.
The Hawks dominated the game early and led by 38 points at the first break, before the Magpies started to get going.
The game would go down to the wire, but they couldn’t be split, both finishing 10.6 (66).
Hawks playing coach Josh Pound said they weren’t sure how to feel about the result.
“There’s mixed emotions at the moment,” he said.
“The game could have gone either way. We got a good jump on them but we knew they were always going to come at us.”
Despite one end being the score end, Pound said there wasn’t a massive breeze favouring that end.
He said the key early was getting hands on the ball first in the midfield which resulted in the score pressure.
He said while the first quarter set up the win, the third quarter was vitally important.
“Wallan is a quality team and arguably one of the better midfields in the game and were going to get on top at some stage,” he said.
“It was about how we combated that. I think in the third quarter we were brilliant and were able to push ahead to have a lead into the final quarter.”
Both teams had their chances in the dying minutes to get the win, but they weren’t able to convert.
Alistair Rae and Tayte Pears kicked two goals each.
Pound said Frank Fazzolari and Jack Arceri were really good in the midfield as was Nick De Leur who did a job on Ricky Schraven.
Marcus Stapleton and Tom Gawthrop were also good down back.
Pound said with having a new playing group, there wasn’t the history of past results.
“They’re just turning up and playing teams they’ve never played before.
“Playing with that flair and freedom.”
The Hawks have a win and draw as they enter the Easter break. Pound said while it could have easily been two wins, but they’re still happy.
“Looking at the pre-season to have a win and a draw, that would be a pass mark for us.”
In other results, Riddell won a close one against Romsey.
The Bombers led at every break, winning 9.6 (60)-7.11 (53). The Bombers remain undefeated, while the Redbacks have two losses.
Lancefield put in one of its best performances in recent times to push Macedon.
The Tigers trailed by 15 points at the last break and fought it out to the end, falling just short, 9.10 (64)-8.11 (59).
Diggers Rest opened its season with a big win against Melton Centrals, winning 16.10 (106)-9.10 (64).
