Tara Murray
Woodend-Hesket threw everything at Diggers Rest but couldn’t come away with the premiership in the Riddell District Football League on Sunday afternoon.
Playing in a grand final for the first time since 2007, the Hawks had been riding a wave of emotion throughout the finals series.
The Burras were the only team the Hawks hadn’t beaten heading into the grand final, with the side hoping to turn the table.
It was a high scoring start to the game with 10 goals kicked in the opening quarter, with the Burras leading by 13 points at quarter time.
The margin grew to 34 points at the main break, with the Burras in control of the game.
The Hawks started the second half the better of the two teams and had their chances to bring the game back within two goals.
But the Burras had the answers and had extended the margin to 38 points at the last break.
The spark had gone out of the game in the last quarter, with the Burras winning 16.9 (105)-9.8 (62).
Hawks playing coach Josh Pound said in the end they were just beaten by a team that had been the best team all season.
“It’s a tough one to swallow,” he said. “We threw everything we could at them but… They had answers every time.
“We struggled to get two in a row and when we did, they didn’t let us get three in a row. They were the better side today.”
Pound said the Burras were able to get the game on their terms in the first quarter and able to control the momentum.
He said while they were able to score, the Burras were doing it just as easily and his side was never going to win a shootout.
“We were playing their brand of game and forcing us to move quick when we planned not to,” he said.
“We wanted to close the game down a little bit more early, never win a shootout. They prayed on our turnover and we didn’t cause enough of it.”
Pound said they had their chances in the third quarter, but when they didn’t convert the Burras quickly got the ball down the other end.
Tom Gawthrop kicked four goals for the Hawks, while Tayte Pears and Harley Giddings were named their best.
Pound said he was super proud of the group and the whole Woodend community.
“Especially under the circumstances what has occurred in the community the last two to three weeks,” he said.
“For the footy club, the netball club and the sports club as a whole, to stay strong and stay tight and still win games of footy and netball, the overwhelming emotion of just proud of the group and club.”
Now with a taste of finals football for the first time in a long time and grand final heartbreak spurring them on, Pound is keen to see the club go even further next year.
“The club as a whole, there is a lot of belief that the club is in a really good position,” he said.
“Hopefully go one better next year.”
