Woodend-Hesket pulled off the biggest upset of the Riddell District Football League season by defeating Diggers Rest on Saturday.
The Hawks, among the season’s biggest improvers, had yet to claim a top scalp and were looking to close the gap between themselves and the top sides.
On Saturday they succeeded, holding their nerve late to defeat the Burras
15.9 (99)-13.10 (88).
Hawks coach Tom Carland said he was happy to see senior players step up late when needed.
The Burras led late in the last quarter, before the Hawks kicked the last two goals to seal the win.
“It was quite good and the boys are playing well,” he said.
“Alistair Rae and Tom Wilson stood up when the going got tough.”
Carland said both Rae and Wilson, who joined the club this season, had grown to “love the club in such a short period of time”.
Rae kicked five goals for the game, including the final two goals.
Rae, Wilson and Charlie Mathieson were named the side’s best in an even team performance.
Mathieson’s form has been impressive the past couple of weeks and he was named best on ground in the RDFL’s under-18 interleague side.
Carland said it was pleasing the Hawks were fielding so many younger players.
“We’ve fielded seven under-18s each week and they are stepping up to the challenge,” he said.
“There was no passengers on Saturday – I think it was a four-quarter team effort.”
The result moves the Hawks to 4-2 with a clash against the winless Broadford this weekend.
Carland said the Hawks were where they expected to be.
“At the start of the year, we were aiming to beat two of Macedon, Diggers Rest, Rupertswood and Riddell,” he said.
“That was the goal and to beat one of them so early, the goalposts change a little bit. It’s pleasing to be on track with where we wanted to be.”
The other weekend winners were Riddell, Rupertswood, Macedon, Wallan and Sunbury Kangaroos.
